We're suspending our sense of reality right now and jumping right in to the delusion that we have anywhere to put one of these. However, these gypsy wagons have carried us off on a cloud of fancy, and right now, we're not the least bit concerned about their practicality...
Yes, we know. We have nowhere to put a gypsy wagon. But one day we might have a large backyard! Yes, we know. These may be a bit too expensive for us right now. But one day there might be some disposable income! We're not altogether concerned with the viability of these fantastic wagons, we just love them.
We came across these gypsy wagons via Shelterrific, one of our favorite blogs, and had to pass them along. French artist Jeanne Bayol has restored these wagons and infused them with whimsical, colorful decor that harkens back to nomadic gypsy culture. We can't help but think that these are an inspired substitute for a run of the mill gazebo or, for the truly lucky child, the most ideal playhouse we can imagine. Garden tea parties, an escape with a good book, sitting with a morning cup of coffee--we can think of countless ways that we would enjoy Les Roulottes. Just thinking about it makes us a little bit happier...
There are many beautiful designs--many over the top--to daydream about on Les Verdines, Bayol's website, but beware--music that will start playing after a couple of seconds!
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LOVE these!!!
How about the ultimate guest house?
I also can't help but wish that these would replace RVs in campgrounds and state parks. Ah well... the engine has outpaced the horse. For now, anyway.
before everyone gets all nostalgic and weepy eyed at the thought of the romantic nomadic gypsy lifestyle, it's probably worth noting that the roma peoples are heavily discriminated against, wherever they go. Their culture is not something we just 'put on' like we put on clothes, but something that runs far deeper.
Not that Mirandabee is suggesting that at all, but the comments on the source blog (shelterrific) are nothing short of appalling....
If you like these, it's also worth looking into Basque sheep-herder wagons. Also pretty cool.
Awww... where can i get one?!?
I've been a long time reader of Shelterrific, and I think those girls are terrific indeed. I can't imagine they intended to offend anyone. Just one person's imagination explained in relation to the work of the artist who restored and decorated these.
On a design note, I like the wagons in and of themselves, but my personal style is much more minimal. I would be drawn to seeing one of these decorated in a Modern Gothic style which I'm currently obsessed over.
who is trying to "put on" anyone else's culture??? Drawing inspiration for interior (or exterior) decoration is just that, inspiration. And im sure their's is not the only culture that runs "far deeper"...
anyway, the gypsy wagons are beautiful!!!
gooooooooooooooorgeous
Like what cafegurl19 asked, "Yes, where do i get one!!"
Thanks, wc_canuk for pointing that out. I think it's important to consider the history and background when you're borrowing design ideas or images or taking inspiration from another culture. You can read more about the Roma here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roma_(Romani_subgroup).
Very cute, but pure fantasy, like a playhouse for grownups. I think wc canuck raises an interesting point about the discrimination the Roma endure. Recently watched "Gadjo Dilo" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0122082/,
I discovered there are more films by Tony Gatlif that I plan to watch.
Roald Dahl had one of these. But can we all agree that gypsy is a pejorative? Rom or Romany, if you must. And considering how these people are treated, one does wonder what happened to the original owners.
I'm sorry I disagree with everyone. Can't imagine having something this tacky looking in my yard. It's cute but in reality would look like a tiny trailer in my yard. I'm sure my neighbors would not approve!
I was thinkin' this is more like my personal version of the "man cave" my buddy a couple neighborhoods over built to escape his kids! And while I grok the point about "gypsy" and Roma culture, there's a point where reality ends and fantasy takes off (such as a fancy caravan in one's back yard). It's not a political statement, it's for color and fun.
Wooden caravans are simply what the horse pulled around before cars were invented. Weren't these also used during the 19th & early 20th century on the beach as seaside changing rooms?
I want one.....
I still love them... the charm of a treehouse, without leaving the ground!
Ugh, I agree with TPGIRL. Why would anyone want to make it look like a gypsies set up in their backyard? What next...a broken Chevy and outhouse to feel like Im in the deep south?
To FantasticMrFaux
You stated... "But can we all agree that gypsy is a pejorative? Rom or Romany, if you must."
Actually Gypsy is NOT a pejorative... From Wikipedia:
"The English term Gypsy (or Gipsy) originates from the Greek word Αιγύπτοι (Aigyptoi, whence modern Greek γύφτοι gifti), in the erroneous belief that the Romanies originated in Egypt....
As described in Victor Hugo's novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the medieval French referred to the Romanies as egyptiens. The term has come to bear pejorative connotations. However, use of the word "Gypsy" in English has now become so pervasive that many Romani organizations use it in their own organizational names."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romani_people
This is only for a certain type of yard I am sure... if you have perfectly mowed grass and a few sporatic trees in town I am guessing it would look a little out of place...
but hidden back in the trees... I think this would be a nice place to put all my smoking friends during a winter party in MN.. They wouldn't have to stand in my garage or directly in the cold.
During the summer months of 1932 & '33, Grant Wood ("American Gothic") hosted an art school/colony in Stone City, Iowa. Students and faculty alike lived in converted ice wagons very much like the structures shown here ... comfortably, reportedly ... but hey, it was 1932.