Our Story
From vision to reality and throughout the past twenty years, Le Potager is not your ordinary store.
After long admiring this historic Fullerton building, in a wonderful twist of fate, John Reed took over Lillian Yeager’s 1918 Italian country style estate and named it Le Potager, (le pota-jay). Since 2000, the store has continued to evolve and mature into one of the finest European-style home and garden decor stores in California. The moment you enter the quaint European courtyard, you are transported to another time and place. The sights of lush plantings in French pots, the aroma of citrus and roses, the sounds of trickling Italian fountains and singing birds surround you. The courtyard sets the stage for what lies inside Le Potager. “There is no other store like this anywhere. It is the most beautiful and romantic store you’ll experience,” states John.
Once inside, candlelight, music, and exotic scents greet you. Original exposed wood beam ceilings and period hardwood floors become the stage for an amazing collection of wares. Antique and new furniture, stunning faux botanicals, gifts and home accessories are layered as only Le Potager can do. The quaint back courtyard and adjacent old world kitchen continue the layered, abundant look with European style goods and wares. A staircase and upper landing showcase fine oil paintings, accessories, and architectural embellishments while the second floor holds yet another four rooms full of furniture, accessories, light fixtures and beautifully framed paintings. Part of the charming character of this store is that every room of this 1918 home has been turned into retail space, each with its own personality and seasonal style. Unique surroundings allow shoppers to visualize merchandise in real life settings. “For me it is important that my customers see how items will look in their homes,” says John. “I’ve designed and created every detail to give you more than a place to shop. Le Potager is not just a store – it is a lifestyle, blending the beauty and history of Europe with the casual elegance of California. It has become a shopping destination; a place you must experience to truly appreciate the details.”
Le Potager’s Team
John Reed is the visionary and creator of Le Potager. His impeccable eye for detail and buying is evident in the romantic European style that he and his beautiful store are known for. John was first exposed early in his childhood to this timeless look and style. As John recalls, “My aunt and uncle had the most beautiful European country home where both furnishings and architecture ’married’ together beautifully, creating a picture-perfect European country setting. They definitely planted the seed in me at a young age, and that same love and passion they had for their home and furnishings is carried on today with Le Potager.” The Le Potager style is a look that has developed and evolved over the years from John’s travels in Europe where he observed and studied beautiful European country chateaus, gardens and estates. Relaxed, refined and never pretentious, Le Potager style reflects the eclectic European feel that our customers have come to love. “I love to blend all styles: French, English, Italian, Dutch, Belgian, etc. . .”, quotes John. A self-taught decorator and designer, John lets his eye, heart and passion dictate what he buys for the store. As John states, “I buy only what I would want to have in my own home.” That same philosophy translates into clients’ homes where John injects his Le Potager style. And John’s sharing his know-how is the foundation of Le Potager where he feels that, “Le Potager truly is my life’s passion.”
A long-time Le Potager customer and a team-member since 2016, Lynne Askey has had a passion for beautiful homes and decorating ever since the age of five. She loves special treasures and antiques - especially French and English ones. Self-taught with a great eye for home decor, Lynne has had the pleasure of helping her friends over the years with their homes, particularly during the holidays. Le Potager has always been Lynne's favorite place to shop, and she has proven to be a natural fit and great addition to helping continue Le Potager's vision. She is blessed to have her husband, Mike, two sons and three grandchildren.
A graphic artist and owner of her own business, Art Matters, Suzanne Blender is in charge of Le Potager’s marketing. From our emails, social media, and print ads to our new website, Suzanne has taken Le Potager from "snail mail" to "state of the art." Suzanne quickly grasped the unique style of Le Potager, and all of the projects she has done for us have turned out beautifully. You will also see some of her artwork, greeting cards and painted furniture for sale in the store from time to time as Suzanne is a multi-talented artist.