Sharon and Paul Mrozinski live the life most of us mere mortals only fantasize about: one dedicated to seeking beauty in far flung and spectacular locations. The partners in creativity and life divide their time between winters in their home in Bonnieux, Southern France where they unearth vintage textiles, ceramics, furniture, and home goods which they bring back in the summers to the island community of Vinalhaven in Maine’s Penobscot Bay—the site of their deftly curated antiques shop, Marston House. Bonnieux and Vinalhaven are the kinds of places that you visit, fall in love with, and then dream of trying to find a way to build a life in—one that still supports creative pursuit while being outside the more predictable cultural routes, cities, and towns. That Sharon and Paul have succeeded in building their lives wherever they damn well please indicates not only passion and conviction, but something more rarified: a dedication to the life of an aesthete.
This all means, of course, that there would be no one better to spill the (cassoulet) beans on the best locations to visit in Provence than the insider’s insider, Sharon Mrozinski. We asked Sharon to share some of her favorite French flea markets and treasure troves – plus what to look for once you’re there. Read on for Sharon’s dreamy recommendations.
How did you first discover the Luberon region and what keeps you going back?
We discovered France and this region, the Luberon, first in 1983 while spending a month in Paris housesitting an apartment with a dear friend from NYC. We rented a tiny Peugeot on the recommendation of the artist Niki de Saint Phalle, who was an architecture client of Paul’s. Later, in 1999, we bought in Bonnieux when we were living in Wiscasset, Maine.
The ancient history and natural beauty draw us back. We return to our 15th-century home each year from mid- October to mid-April to continue the hunt for treasures and do all our buying for the next summer season.
This is what we love about France: Like our own country, it was and still is the commoners who built their lives to support the greater needs of society. The signatures that mark their work and remain with their pieces over hundreds of years. So, the depth of treasures and textiles are still there waiting to be touched and discovered if you dig deeply enough. It’s like any place, or a human being, or Maine. Stay on the surface and there is not much of interest. But, dig deeply and the treasures are there deeply hiding for those that recognize buried homespun beauty.
What are your favorite villages in the Luberon? Any highlights of those areas not to miss?
Our favorite villages are Bonnieux and Apt. They are the only villages in the Luberon that still hold onto the "warp of time" and have not yet been homogenized to be like the other hilltop villages. Apt is refreshingly wonderful and has no tourist vibe whatsoever. It is also home to the biggest and best Saturday market available. Apt has everything anyone needs: Great shops including fresh handmade Italian cuisine, the best Muslim butcher, and the best bio store.
