You're Invited this Saturday for Santa, Snow Cones and Snowflakes

Where are we going to park the reindeer? Santa Claus just R.S.V.P.'d and he's coming to the store this Saturday 11am to 2pm! To celebrate, we’ve decorated the entire store with hundreds of white snowflakes made by local school kids (who wrote what they love most about December on the front).

We’re also going to have a private visit by Skylite Snowballs - a snow cone truck that dishes out Chez Panisse-inspired organic snow cones. The first 50 are free from Maison Rêve, so get here early.

To help you with stress-free shopping, we’ve created a super fun Holiday ‘Kids Only’ tent packed with games and distractions. And of course there will be hot cocoa while you wait for your chance to chat with the jolly, round, red chap. So spread the word and come share in the merry. Santa Claus is coming to town!

This Saturday, December 11 from 11am to 2pm.

Hunter Boots Are Here!

The wait is officially over!  Our beloved Hunter Wellie boots have arrived -- just in time for the holidays.  We love our Wellies so much because they are not only practical, but they are timeless, and of course, Urban Farmhouse chic and fashionable.

We have a rainbow assortment of colors and styles to choose from -- ladies, gents and children's sizes are in the store now.  Find the perfect color to suit your personality.  And don't forget to add a pair of  warm wellie socks to keep your toes nice and toasty.  Our Wellie boots are flying out the door, so hurry on in.

My Mom's Famous Thanksgiving Stuffing

No matter how hard I try to plan my Thanksgiving menu, I know the star of the meal will be my Mom's Famous Thanksgiving stuffing.  As a child, my brother and I duked it out on many occasions for the last delicious spoonful.  And who could blame us -- her stuffing is pure magic.

We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving -- filled with inspiration, loved ones and family traditions.   

Francette's Famous Thanksgiving Stuffing

Ingredients

Cooked kidney and giblets from turkey, diced small

1 medium onion, diced small

3 garlic cloves, chopped
3/4 Granny Smith apple, diced small
3-4 slices of cooked bacon, diced small
2 medium potatoes, peeled, precooked and diced small
salt and pepper
2 cooked carrots, diced small
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 tablespoons white wine
1 tablespoon of flour
1/2 - 3/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
2 x 2 inch block Gruyere cheese, shredded
1 tablespoon of honey
Chopped parsley

Method
In a large pan, saute onions with butter until translucent.  Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Add cooked kidney and giblets, bacon and apples.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Next, add cooked carrots, potatoes and yogurt.  Stir and cook until well mixed.  Meanwhile, mix white wine with flour in a small bowl.  Add to pan and stir.  Add breadcrumbs, gruyere and honey.  Sprinkle with parsley.  Place stuffing in turkey and place turkey in oven to finish cooking.

Boots, Raincoats and Friends

What an epic day of fleaing it was!  Despite the unseasonal storm that swept into Northern California, a line of dedicated Urban Farmhouse hunters (and huntresses) formed before the doors opened at our final Brocante of the season -- ready and armed with hunting prowess. 

Even without the aid of Mother Nature, we witnessed our biggest turnout ever! 

Our amazing team of Inspirers set up shelter from the pouring rains, with glowing votive candles -- looking so pretty and welcoming, as they happily sat in our favorite vintage Mason jars.

The treasures were endless:  from large antique French preserve jars, silver plated serving dishes, linen nightgowns, vintage rolling pins and photo albums....

To chicken cages and original cider bottles from Paris -- there was something special waiting for everyone.  Gifts for The Chef, The Entertainer, The Teacher, The Crafter, The Traveller, The Gardener, The Seedling, and of course, Fido too. 

And speaking of chicken cages, Anie and her daughter from Sweet Bug Farm, walked away with a perfect new home for the chickens on their farm.

Thank you so much for spending the day fleaing with me.  It was a day full of rummaging, laughing and dancing.  It was a day full of Boots, Raincoats and Friends.  Hope to see you, bright and early, rain or shine, at our next French Flea Market in February of 2011!

French Flea Market This Saturday

Don't miss our last, highly anticipated, French Flea Market of the season! Hunt for one-of-a-kind treasures just in time for holiday gift-giving and entertaining.


Come early for the best finds -- 8am to 5pm! Rain or shine!



We'll have freshly baked pain au chocolat and treasures waiting for you. À bientôt!

Urban Farmhouse Thanksgiving Table

With the big day right around the corner, take a peek at our favorite Urban Farmhouse Thanksgiving table.

An oversized, French inspired vintage chalkboard, adorned with the evening's special menu, greets your guests as they enter the dining room.

A long, weathered farmhouse style table is perfect for gathering and entertaining. The vintage benches are reclaimed original ballot boxes from the early 1900's. Treat each guest to their own limited edition Urban Farmhouse paper mache egg, designed to be cracked open to unveil a hidden surprise.


Handcrafted Alex Marshall white cermamics add simplicity and elegance, especially when paired with Belgian Libeco linens in our favorite flax color.



Leave your Hunter boots at the door and prepare to share in the bounty of the harvest with your loved ones. Come by the store and let us help you pull together your very own Urban Farmhouse Thanksgiving!

Award Winning October Window

Take a look at the window that won first prize in the Mill Valley Film Festival window dressing competition! My team and I had so much fun creating it.


The idea was to imagine yourself watching an old French film in a barn in Provence.

We hung vintage film reels from the rafters to create drama and whimsy. $8-25 each

Vintage bistro chairs from Paris evoked theatre seating. $110 each

Collector edition Poppe bottles lined an old farm bench bringing back memories at the old soda shop.

Theatre stage lights were restored and illuminated the barn runway. We still have some left and they make perfect lighting by a sofa or bed. $950 each, 4 available

Wonderful antique cameras captured the moment. $85 each, 2 available

We found film reels at the flea market with fabulous movies that did the final trick to bring the window to life. $145, 1 available

As they say at The End of every French film -- Fin. So we hung these salvaged metal letters front and center of the show. And great news -- the Film Festival votes on the most inspiring store window in town. There was some steep competition especially with Chef Tyler Florence's wonderful Film Festival window. But luck of the draw, Maison Reve won Grand Prize!

Many items from this window are available for purchase. Call or email us for pricing, photos and sizes: 415.383.9700 shop@maisonreve.com. We ship across the country.

Now, sit tight to see what we just created for our November Autumn window. I will post it later this week. It inspired me to start planning my Thankgiving dinner. Yasmine

French Flea Market this Saturday

You're invited to our French Flea Market this Saturday, August 21, 8am to 5pm.

It's in the back jardin of our store and held once a season.

We found fabulous treasures for you to rummage through. From street signs, French enamel lamps, birdcages, leather bags, porcelain pitchers, fondue sets, Paris juice cups, artwork, vintage crafting items and much more bric-à-brac.

Come early for best picks. Line forms at 8am.

Spread the word, grab your café and come Flea with Me at the Maison Rêve French Flea Market!

Welcome Reyes!

One of our team Inspirers, just had her first baby! Ashley who manages http://www.maisonreve.com/ and takes all the beautiful photos you see in our online Shop just gave birth to Timothy Reyes.

Born August 3, weighing 5 lbs 12 oz, and stretching 20 inches, this little treasure will go by Reyes after Point Reyes, a favorite local getaway spot for Ashley and her husband Mike.

Join us in welcoming little Reyes into this wonderful world! Stay tuned for a sneak peak into Reyes nursery room. Ashley used vintage and organic items that will surely inspire you.

A Love Affair with Paint

Introducing our new paint collection -- The Maison Rêve 38 Colours by Farrow & Ball.

Paint is an easy way to refresh any room or worn furniture piece. Farrow & Ball paint is renowned for the ultimate in depth of colour and elegant finish.

Based in London, Farrow & Ball is the only manufacturer which makes all of the paint and wallpaper sold under its name. Their environmentally friendly paint is made with traditional methods using original formulations. They've never wavered from using only the finest raw materials rather than incorporating plastic “filler” like most others in the industry, resulting in 30% more pigment. We also like that they choose not to use less accurate in-store tinting machines, but instead make and check every batch themselves.

While we carry the entire Farrow & Ball palette of 132 colors in 13 finishes, we know its tough picking paint. So we’ve done the work for you. Select from our 38 favorites in The Maison Rêve Colours by Farrow & Ball. Sold in-store and soon online at http://www.maisonreve.com/. Come fall in love with paint!