I know, I know, this post is so inappropriate for fall when we're all supposed to be swooning over boots and blankets (don't you worry, you'll be getting plenty more of that soon enough).
Going to try for a weekly download of some of my favorite French memories. In volume 1 -- views from private courtyards, hidden cafes, sitting by a fountain in Arles and finding the perfect floral sundress.
Well, my lovelies, it's finally time for me to head to PARIS. I'm going to do my very best to keep you all updated pending internet connections. I've been before, but I'm especially excited to spend more time exploring the streets, lingering at outdoor cafes, browsing books at Shakespeare & Co. and finally making it to watch a sunset at Sacre Coeur.
Lately, I'm finding myself more and more drawn to spaces that say, "this is me, this is what I like, and this is where I live." Less hyper-designed perfection, more personality."Hervé Pierre, the creative director of Carolina Herrera, is a thoroughly modern man with an utterly romantic eighteenth-century sensibility. He left the Loire Valley of his youth to become the head of haute couture at Pierre Balmain in Paris (at the age of 24). But he’s lived here for the past fifteen years—where he’s found some ingenious ways to combat homesickness, stocking his refrigerator with Côte d’Or chocolate and his foyer with a noblewoman’s 1780 sedan chair. His is perhaps the only condo on lower Fifth Avenue to have been transformed into a veritable cabinet of curiosities. “I am in New York during business hours,” Pierre explains, “but at home I need to be in Paris.”
As some of you may know, I'm headed to France in about 30 days (!). Naturally, my normal levels of francophilia have shot through the roof, and I wanted to share all of the awesome stuff feeding my excitement sourced from around the Web.
2. One of my stops on the trip will be St. Tropez, and I am loving Garance Dore's dispatches from the resort right now, particularly her shopping finds, including vintage shop Le Marché Du Marin and Rondini sandals. If you want to see pure, unadulterated glamour, go check out her blog right now.
3. While we're on the subject of St. Tropez, my friend Tristan from Liminality is there right now, and snapped this gorgeousness. I basically died when I saw it.
It reminded me to dig up this older photo he took in Paris of models post-show, which I also love.
4. I can't talk about models in Paris, without thinking of Antonio from The Singular. His photos provide tons of packing inspiration.
5. Finally, Nichole from Little Brown Pen takes the most amazing photos of Paris. I love that she captures the details -- cafe chairs, the vivid reds and blues of a shop's awning, and beautiful architectural details most people never notice. It's easy to take beautiful pictures of Paris -- but Nichole's photos actually take you there. Stop by her Etsy shop to take a little piece of Paris home.
(House Beautiful)
(Alimesh)
(Apartment Therapy)
The Tolix stools are available through Melissa Edelman Antiquaire, a Chicago-area dealer who represents the full line of Tolix or above from Sundance catalogue. But at $245. plus shipping per stool I had to pass. So imagine how thrilled I was when I found a copy at Overstock.com. The "Tabouret" stools are very close to the wonderful original Tolix stools and at 2 for $99.00, I thought they would be worth a try.
(overstock.com)
In the snowy winter months in New England I often find myself daydreaming about visiting beautiful, warm locations. I was fortunate to be introduced to this lovely stone villa in the south of France called La Bastide.
The villa has been restored and is filled with antiques. The owners are collectors and as such the home is filled with interesting and unique items. A neutral palette allows you to focus on the gorgeous stone walls and period details. Notice the fireplace and the fabulous arched wood fragments flanking the it on either side
The upholstery is tightly slipcovered in natural linen. I love the coffee table and the wonderful white washed side table that has a lazy susan top.
But, the pièce de résistance of the room is surely the fireplace. The original mantel is one we only hope to copy here in the States. I love the lines of it, detailed but not too fussy. I also like the interesting assortment of items which line the top of the mantel. Clearly this is a home of collectors.
From a different angle you can see the introduction of color. The orange/coral throw and pillows bring the earthy outdoor tones we see from the window views indoors. In the height of summer we could change the throw and pillows to shades of lavender and give the entire room a different feel. This is why I am such a fan of neutrals.
As we head into the the kitchen you can peek through the doorway and see the fireplace. I included this shot to help you visualize the lay out. The zinc topped table is a dream - wine rack only an arms length away. I can just taste the local cheeses, olives and fresh baked bread.
Standing in the doorway you have a full view of the kitchen. The antique plate rack and and marble topped table are to die for!
The zinc topped table and vintage Tolix chairs are fabulous. Black steel windows and doors lead you out to the patio and terraces. Enameled street signs grace the walls.
Standing back in the living room we can spy a bedroom through the passageway to the left of the fireplace.
The room is classically appointed with painted amoire, steel table, slipcovered arm chair, and the owners collection of vintage hats.
A gauzy canopy hangs over the bed creating a very romantic atmosphere... as if just being in a stone villa in the south of France isn't romantic enough. Notice the bunches of lavender and the lavender silk pillows, see how different this room feels versus the coral pillows?
Gorgeous unlined linen and lemon cypress in a terracotta pot on the windowsill. Notice the window hardware. In my next life all my window hardware would look like that.
Exiting the bedroom is a lovely vignette of local artwork and antiques.
The outdoor areas are also a sight to behold with a wonderful stone walls, cypress trees, lavender and a pool.
Finally a small stone terrace with wonderful rosemary hedges.
