Issue 13: Home Edition
Lessons from a designer, cool art and new French favourites.
It’s hard to believe this newsletter launched one year ago and that this is the 13th issue. I can’t express enough how much I love writing it and appreciate the ongoing support of my Subscribers and Instagram followers. Thank you so much! Labadie Boutique is truly a labour of love and I’m excited about how it may evolve in the future as I continue to meet inspiring people and get ideas on where to go with it. I’d love to hear what you enjoy reading about and what you’d like to see more of so that I can bring you content you love. Add comments at the bottom or message me on Instagram.
Making Your Home Your Own
My obsession with changing things around at home has gotten so bad that people no longer want to help me. A recent project of switching the contents between two rooms remained unfinished for weeks while I waited for help to move a heavy piece, everyone is over it. The lightbulb moments come out of nowhere and often right before I fall asleep. Of course that table should go in the other room. Of course the office should be the bedroom and the bedroom should be the office. Why did it take me so long to realize this??
There are people who like change and people who don’t and when it comes to home decor I am definitely pro. There’s nothing better to me than a home project, especially working with what you have to evolve a space. When I was pondering the room switch, I asked a decorator friend if I’d gone too far this time. What she said is very true and something everyone needs to hear about their home...
“Your space needs to work for you”
Essentially, don’t be concerned with what’s ‘right’, what decor magazines say or what your friend’s house looks like. Decorate your home for the way it’s lived in by the people living in it. Walk through your home and take stock of the space and flow. Is there a better place for that chair you always bump into? Do you have a formal living room that’s never used meanwhile everyone is cramped in the den? Be open to change, think outside the box and forget the rules when it comes to home decor. Often the things that shouldn’t work, are the things that work best.
Bemz
One of those business ideas you wish you’d thought of, Stockholm-based company Bemz creates made-to-order slip covers in upscale fabrics for every style of IKEA sofa, chair, chaise and more, even discontinued models. Their mission is to elevate familiar furniture with sumptuous fabrics like velvet and linen, and do so responsibly, and they have been doing just that since 2005. Bemz ships globally and offers 5 free fabric samples prior to placing your custom order. www.bemz.com
Leah Gardner
I came across Chicago artist Leah Gardner’s oil paintings on Instagram, immediately connecting with her jovial summer scenes of rosé wine and al fresco cocktails. A self-taught artist, Leah picked up a brush during a lockdown lay-off and with daily practice soon found her style depicting whimsical still life scenes. Now a full-time artist, she bravely turned a challenging time into a creative life. Visit leahgardner.art.
Jill’s Table
After returning last September from a month in France in the Brie region, I was predictably seeking the same level of cheese euphoria back at home. I started hearing that local shop Jill’s Table had a covert secret fridge of imported cheese that was the best in town, so had to check it out. I was stunned to find the incredible Brillat-Savarin that I wrote about in Issue 5: 30 days in France Part 1 staring at me from the shelf. There was also Saint-Marcellin soft cheese, lovely croutons de chèvre and something called Madame Lois whipped cheese with sea salt from Guérande that likely tastes as good as it sounds.
Jill’s Table has been a favourite kitchen and gourmet food retailer in my hometown for decades, and owner Jill Wilcox is celebrating the 25th anniversary this year. It was indeed a trip to Europe that inspired Jill’s business in 1999, and it’s her long-standing relationships with trusted suppliers that allow her to bring in quality products, many of which are hard to find. Edmond Fallot Mustard, for example, comes from the last independent, family-owned mustard mill in Burgundy. It’s these local, authentic products that Jill seeks out to support and bring to her customers, as well as popular French brands like Staub, Emile Henry and Duralex. Over the years, Jill has taken her love of European culture beyond the shop with community events and guided Food & Wine Tours to France, Italy, Spain and Portugal where she continues to get inspired. Details on upcoming trips, cooking classes and more can be found at jillstable.ca.
Labadie Loves
Listel Grain de Gris
Summer is the season of rosé wine, and not to be impartial, but French ones from Provence tend to be the best. There’s the popular Whispering Angel by Château d’Esclans, Gerard Bertrand’s Cote des Roses with the pretty glass cork, and the often sold out Miraval Rosé, the vineyard of which is the subject of a real-life war of the roses aka Jolie vs Pitt.
I recently discovered Listel Grain de Gris, a Syrah/Shiraz/Grenache from the Mediterranean coast with a $12 price point that can’t be beat. With a beautiful pale pink hue and super smooth taste it’s become my new favourite, and this was before I found out it’s the #1 selling rosé in France. Listel’s century-old vineyard land was originally used for salt production, and it turned out that growing vines in the sand and salt was surprisingly beneficial and contributes to the smooth, clean taste and pale colour.
I may not be going to France this year, but with authentic baguettes, creamy Brillat-Savarin and top selling rosé all within reach, France is coming to me.
Love your newsletters! Love the content (always relatable) and easy going tone. Thanks for another great read! ♥️
What a joyful issue. Thank you for sharing all of these treasures you are unearthing. I have a copy of A Year in Provence packed for our summer vacation and excited to re-read it. Your newsletter has reignited my love for that region. xo