18th c. Alps Cupboard

An 18th c. marvel! Found in Avignon, this very old Alps cupboard is an ingenious piece of rural craftsmanship with hand-carved doors, iron strapping, and is both sturdy and storied. Its most brilliant trick is the center panel, which folds down to form a small writing surface, the kind of multifunctional design born from necessity in mountain homes where every object worked hard. Inside, the compartments are thoughtfully arranged for storing household essentials, linens, or letters waiting to be answered. Sylvie admires how pieces like this bridge utility and artistry, and she loves it placed in an entryway or study where that fold-down desk can still spark a moment of pause and pen-to-paper correspondence.