French Tapestry and the Intersection

My friend deals with vintage fabrics: silks, cottons, printed linens, boutis, and tapestries. She piles them in heaps in the back of her van. She goes wherever there is an antique market; Avignon, Béziers, Lyon or Montpellier, once there she lets her long blond hair down, straightens her Chanel and steps out in high heels. Not the usual attire for those who sale at the fair, but then she is not the usual attire type of woman!

Her home reflects her personality, cushions are covered in antique toile de Jouey, silks are framed as artwork, rock crystals sconces, her furniture is all 18th-century- except her blue Smeg frig. In her bedroom, roses have climbed up the outside wall slipping through the window that cannot longer shut: The roses are like wallpaper.

In her hallway there is a tapestry. 

My Pretty Woman friend calls me. She says we must talk. Urgently! When I arrive she pulls me inside, as if life is close to death, telling me she has met a man. Her van had stalled in an intersection, he pulled up dashing in his sports car, "After he helped me... he asked me out. Of course I said yes, we are to go to dinner this evening... and I haven't anything to wear." I looked at her sideways, giving her a loud thought, "You have nothing to wear, you who wears Prada like I wear jeans;" She reinstated her need, "...nothing to wear and I MUST go to Christian Lacroix and pick up something smashing!"

I think to l myself, because she is already on the planet of "Hot-Date-Ville," he hasn't seen all your clothes, he only saw you in your van, what did you have on then: Your blond hair, mile long eyelashes and some one-two outfit, do you think he even remembers what you were wearing? Then it hits me like a champagne glass thrown at the mantle: my opinion is not what she is after.

"Corey," in her charming English accent she teases, "You've often admired my tapestry?"

Stunned, I beg her not to sale her tapestry for a drive-by-date, "You'll regret it! You'll only wear the outfit once. Then it'll pile up with your other fashion plates. Just go to your closet, close your eyes dig around and pull something out, I am sure it will work." She is not convinced. Instead she slips the money for the tapestry into her Chanel bag.

I roll the tapestry and gently put it in the back seat of my car.

Several months later, my friend dines with us chez moi, at my house, with Mr. Sports car. He looks around admiring, he likes tongue-in-cheek-antiques, points to the tapestry and asks, "Corey, I love your tapestry. Don't you honey? Where did you find it?" I look at him him and laugh, "You won't believe this, it found me, the day you found Honey at an intersection..."

Note: This is a re post as I continue my Bed & Breakfast.

Comments

[mimi]

hahaha! i hope this is all going into a book! wouldn't that be a volume full of marvels! the 1001 nights of french antiques!!! the world is waiting...

[elsa]

hilarious corey! this wonderful, what a laugh you all must of had!

[Alison Whittington]

FanTAStic! I am glad you reposted.

[teresa mcfayden]

WOW! Love the story. That's a keeper!

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

Oh! I love this story!

[nita from red tin heart]

I liked this so much... xo Nita

[Bronwyn]

Is this a true story? If so, I'd love to see photos of this lady's house etc.

[pusa]

another lovely story from our great storyteller =)

hope they're still together

[Elaine L.]

You are a wonderful story teller?

~elaine~

[maddie]

Tapestry - that is actually a perfect word for
your blog - a tapestry of so many beautiful
thought and ideas and feelings and
collectibles:)

[Kitem]

oh oh I'm happy to know Miss M. Antic Dealer love life, it's like to read Gala or Hello magazine, all about "people" private life, I enjoy the blog love life all the same.

[The Decorated House]

Thank You Dear Corey for my lovely visit with you. As always, it refreshes my soul.
Hugs, Donna

[Julie Ann]

Hi Corey - I have been away and then under the weather for a week or so. Have been enjoying catching up and what treats I have missed! Beautiful table settings, divine menus, interior design styles. All my favourite things. I think my interior design ideal is Fr-anglais - a combination of the understated comfort and fading grandeur of the English Country House with a very liberal sprinkling of the elegance, charm and attention to detail of the French interior ..mmmmmmmm....I should love to see your friend's house, hope you are enjoying the tapestry, even more so with such a great story attached. Jx

[Dorian]

Corey, this story is too delicious - a bit of a take on O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi", no? Are Pretty Woman and Mr. Sports Car still and item?

[Kara Garber]

Hee-Hee, is that frenchy enough for "giggle"?
Kare

[robyn]

What a delightful story, loved it!

[Cheryl]

Corey, I'm sure she would not have sold the tapestry to any one else but you!! I love starting my mornings off with your blog! Cheryl

[rochambeau]

Great!
Are they still together?

[Jeanne]

Love you
You are always a rich tapestry in my life.
Love you
Jeanne

[Shannon]

That is such an O. Henry kind of story.

Speaking of bed and breakfasts, I've been recently thinking that you should honestly start up a bed and breakfast.

[My Melange]

Nice story, Corey. I think I might need to meet your tapestry friend when I come visit. Unless of course visited her would cost me more than my trip :)

[jeni]

A wonderful story of being in the right place at the right time. This tale is new to me, and as usual you have brought a smile to start my day off right. I love a story to go along with my treasures, it brings them to life. The best things in life are the unexpected.

Tea and flea sounds like a delightful adventure!
The video from matchmakers was hilarious!!! I love those guys!

[Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)]

sitting on the edge of my seat............who would have thought being teased by fantasy would be this much torture!

[Nora]

Hmmm, I think I'd sell my tapestry for a Lacroix dress too.

[le petit cabinet de curiosites]

I love this post. Now I know where is the tapestry from . I would love to write the same story about me . Well , I have to wait at the intersection ...

[delphine]

what a great story corey..true you should write a book.
delphine

[wendy]

I just love this image! The way she is finely dressed yet holding the tree reminds me of Marie Antoinette. With all her pomp and finery her REAL love was actually seen in a longing for nature and kindness and simplicity in the little cottages she spent so much of her time in. I have been thinking of her lately, and may use this image in a post about her if that is okay with you...

[Jann Mumford]

One more wonderful story..........so exciting to meet someone like this....

[mary ann]

what a great story...how amusing for all involved!

xo mary ann

[Amber]

LOL!! What a great story! How funny! Funny funny funny! Did he think it was charming? Did he give her a bog 'ol kiss??

:)

[mikaelah]

this story is as big a find as the other two!

[Paris Parfait]

Lovely post - and I wouldn't want to part with that tapestry either! I saw some gorgeous tapestries at Blenheim Palace in England and in the private apartments of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough.

[AnnieElf]

That is just one of the best "how we met" stories I've heard in ages and a "rescue" thrown in too!!

[Mrs.Staggs]

The tapestry is beautiful!
I can't imagine selling it for more clothes, but we all have our passions and they aren't always easily explained.
I will often buy another old thing, while my friends will say to me..."You need to buy more clothes!"

[deirdre]

Some people are just meant to meet. Great story and beautiful tapestry.

[josephine]

You are a very, very good friend. What an angel!

[naturegirl]

Your friend a lady of luxury that surrounds her but it takes a friend like you to make her see the tapestry!

[candy]

What a beautiful part of the tapestry. The whole thing must be sublime. Great story!

[Ulla]

Oh Corey, well worth repeating again and again! Travel home safely - wish I could have seen you again - next time!!! My thoughts and heart is with you and yours...

[stephanie s]

wonderful, as always.

[Rebekah]

This is a perfect story - one that sets me imagining the holes that appear in her decor as her closet burgeons and Sports Car beams.

[cruststation]

Wonderful story..haha, I am always saying there is nothing to wear when my wardrobes are almost packed to the brim! That's the tragedy of being woman :) Love the tapestry, your friend's house sounds amazing.

[herhimnbryn]

Oh , a story!
So, I sat comfortably in my red arm chair by the fire. I put on my specs and read....and read....and read. Corey, please my dear, WRITE A BOOK. Maybe you should put this story on paper and attach it carefully to the back of that glorious tapestry. It is part of it's provenance afterall!

[Shannon Lewis]

You're a living novel, Corey :)

[diana]

too funny !!!

[wishesheros]

that is a great story like all the ones you tell us...

[gracie]

Such a funny ending to a great Corey-story!!

[Britt-Arnhild]

I just found a libray computer to read a few mail before starting my studies today. Your story made a great start of my day :-) Greetings to your friend and Mr.Sportscar.