This Store Turned My Home into a French Provençal Getaway (I Didn’t Even Have to Travel!)

Written by

Heather Bien
Heather Bien
Heather Bien is a Washington, D.C.-based freelance writer whose work has appeared on MyDomaine, The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, HelloGiggles, and more. You'll often find her making pitstops for roadside antique shops, drooling over original hardwood floors, or perfecting her…read more
published Jan 28, 2025
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I’m guilty of being someone who goes to France a couple of times and decides to make it my whole personality. When I went to Provence, I delayed my next stop just so I could spend two more days exploring the beautiful vintage markets, historic streets, and stunning views. I found myself thinking, This is it. I never need to travel anywhere else ever again — I only need to come back here again and again. 

So as I dream of my next visit, I’ve tried to incorporate a little bit of that French lifestyle into my own home and cooking. From adding wood and copper elements to my kitchen that take on a beautiful patina, to setting out Provençal cloth napkins for every meal, to making an effort to use indulgent seasonings, I try to channel the luxury of a French getaway — even when my to-do list looks more like sitting at my computer than wandering through an antiques market in the South of France.

Luckily, though, there’s a home store right outside of Washington, D.C., that makes my goal of turning my home into a fancy French Provençal getaway just a bit easier: Crème de la Crème. It’s a jewel box of a shop with everything from La Rochere bee tumblers to classic VIETRI bakeware to French marinière shirts. It’s truly a visit to Europe in shoppable form.

And the owner, Tara Wegdam, has serious European curating credentials. After owning a retail store in Holland and living the expat life for several decades, Wegdam made her way back to the United States, thanks to her husband’s job. She wanted to bring a little bit of Europe back with her, so she decided to tap into her knowledge of the French and Italian home industries, particularly kitchen wares. And so she opened her first shop in charming Middleburg, Virginia. 

Over two decades and several shops later, it’s become a spot to transport yourself to a slower, more luxurious, Francophile-inspired way of life. And while the focus is on the in-store experience, I did find a few must-have items that are carried online, if you’re ready to bring the Provençal look into your own home.

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Crème de la Crème
$45.00

You might not be aware (I certainly wasn’t) of this fact, but the cicada is a traditional symbol in Provence. You’ll often see a ceramic cicada — or a cluster of cicadas — hung outside homes or in the kitchen as a “Porte de Bonheur,” or good luck charms. These quirky little fellows are meant to usher in health and happiness, and they even inspired Crème de la Crème’s logo. They’re designed and crafted in Paris, Virginia — a true full-circle French moment.

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Crème de la Crème
$165.00

One of the items Wegdam knew she wanted to be a feature of her shop from day one was the ceramic guinea hens that she’d seen throughout Provence. "We fell in love with guineas in St. Remy de Provence,” says Wegdam. “They were in a shop window while on vacation when we lived in Holland. Years later, my father-in-law brought one home, thinking it was a unique and beautiful product.”

Wegdam’s husband then ran with their newfound love of these hens and imported and distributed them to the U.S. market for 10 years. When they opened the shop, the hens became one of their signature products. These quaint birds are said to represent protection and cooperation, and they come in a range of sizes and colors, often looking happiest in a flock.

3 / 8
Crème de la Crème
$62.00

Crème de la Crème has an extensive collection of Provençal-inspired linens across price points, including napkins, placements, tablecloths, and aprons. There’s no better way to make yourself feel like a hostess à la Française than to put together a table setting of perfectly mismatched block print linens in complementary colors.

4 / 8
Crème de la Crème
$28.00

As soon as you stroll through the front door at Crème de la Crème, you’re immediately transported to a garden somewhere in the countryside, with the smell of citrus wafting through the air. That fragrance is coming from one of their signature candle urns, which are as beautiful as they are deliciously scented. Available in small and large sizes, the vessels are meant to be repurposed and reused, with the silhouette appearing to be perfect for a topiary.

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Crème de la Crème
$12.00

One of the quirkiest buys in Crème de la Crème are the knife rests. At just $12, they’re an easy impulse buy — one of those things you pick up and wonder, “I need a dachshund knife rest at every place setting next time I host dinner, right? Maybe a fish seems right for making a quiet dinner at home?”

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Crème de la Crème
$20.00

If you want to elevate your window herb garden, the Castle Pot, or the Copenhagen Pot, will give it a European countryside look. This style has its roots in 1860s Denmark, and, today, they’re made in a small village near Lucca in Tuscany.

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Crème de la Crème
$13.00

The thick glass of these classic bee tumblers makes them as durable as they are darling. Their iconic bee design is based on Napoleon Bonaparte's bee symbol, which was said to represent hard work and a long life. Today, they’re simply a charming nod to the Provençal way of life.

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Crème de la Crème
$38.00

There’s something about upgrading your bakeware that can completely change your outlook on cooking. VIETRI’s gorgeous scalloped bakeware is handcrafted in Italy, and adds a sophisticated look to everything from one-dish meals to brownies.