french

French Settees And Colorful Pillows

dressdesign

In the past week, I’ve bought three new pillows. I’m out of control. Soon there won’t be any room in our house for any inhabitants. It’ll just be a house filled with pillows. But I just can’t help myself. Pretty pillows, especially on French settees, make me weak in the knees.

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viahighheel

And who does that look better than Anna at Black and Spiro?

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I’m sure you’ve all heard by now that her work just got published in Australian Vogue Living. It’s easy to see why!

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All of these photos make me want to have my French settee reupholstered in burlap or gray and white stripes (like in the first photo). Is it wrong to have something reupholstered that was freshly reupholstered and hasn’t been used at all? Also, does anyone have any idea how much something like that costs? (Mine is an antique and looks like the second to the last one. No removable cushions.) Thanks for any tips and advice!

Photos: 1.via Dress, Design & Decor 2.via High Heeled Foot in the Door 3.Marie Claire Maison 4&5.Black and Spiro)

Way Off Into The Future

When I move back to Paris – and that is the plan – I’d like a dining room (and birthday party) just like this:

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And by the way, can you tell I’ve found my new favorite website? Sarah Kaye Represents is just a treasure trove of beautiful images from amazingly talented photographers. I can’t get enough.

Favorite Paris Shops: Côté Bastide

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Before moving to Paris, I had known Côté Bastide for their great bath products. But after walking into their shop, I discovered it’s a whole lifestyle. I sometimes fantasize about a vacation house in the French countryside and it would basically look like a Côté Bastide shop.

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Favorite Paris Shops: Habitat

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(habitat.fr)

Another one of my go-to stores in Paris was Habitat. I just love it. (And I’m loving their current all white display!) It’s where I went for things like frames, kitchen utensils, shower curtains  . . . practical things but that were designed and made well. I can’t think of an American equivalent so I would describe it as the Conran Shop in aesthetic crossed with Crate & Barrel or West Elm in practicality and price range.  There must be something like Habitat here  - what am I overlooking?

Favorite Paris Shops: Blanc d'Ivoire

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picture-32(blancdivoire.fr)

One of my favorite stores in Paris is Blanc d’Ivoire. It was my go-to shop whenever I needed linens or something for the table because I knew I’d always find something I liked, something very French. They have beautiful furniture as well. Before we moved, I had a list of stores that I had to visit to stock up on goods to bring over with us and Blanc d’Ivoire was one of them. I’m planning a trip back to Paris this spring and that got me thinking about all the shops I used to love. I’ll post some other favorites this week.

And Some French Contemporary Design, Too

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(left: Paris Living Room; right: Seattle Living Room)

Another piece that made the transatlantic journey with us is my favorite chair.  I first spotted it soon after we arrived in Paris and it was love at first sight. I thought it would pass so I resisted buying it on the spot.  But as the months passed, it became clear: this love was here to stay.  In our Paris apartment, it was the only pop of color so it was a real statement piece. It sits in an entirely different setting now and I think it works equally well in both.

Importing a Little Bit of France

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(left: Paris dining room, right: Seattle dining room)

As we left Paris, our household was packed up in a big container and sent ahead of us across the sea.   I wondered about making all the pieces work together in our new (and *entirely* different) house but since I’ve always liked mixing styles and time periods, it’s starting to come together.  

In the dining room, for example, most of the major pieces came over with us. We had bought the round table in Paris because we had this lovely round dining area; that came with us. We also brought over the two chandeliers we bought while we were there. We even had parts of the house wired such that we could hang them without re-wiring them for the different voltage. The pair of Louis XVI chairs are one of my favorite Paris purchases. They move back and forth between the dining room and the living room, depending on my mood.  The only new item is a buffet (photos coming soon) and the zebra rug, which was actually a housewarming gift from my parents.  Overall, I’m happy with the result and there are still plenty of French pieces to incorporate into the rest of the house!