Paris in the Springtime
Like New Orleans, Paris is place of such beauty and history that it can serve as a constant source of inspiration. Before I visit, I have this hopeful outlook as to how the city has changed, how it has stayed the same, and how it will leave me inspired and breathless. Flipping through this month's Town and Country magazine, I came across an article entitled "French Seduction" that served as a little insight into alarmingly chic and refreshing places to check out in the City of Light. After a little research via Pinterest, I discovered how it is so easy to travel in Paris and never come across these jewels, tucked away in meandering side streets and up-and-coming neighborhoods. A visit to revel in the interiors alone would be worth the trip.
It is always amazing to me how chic interiors come so effortlessly to the French. I adore this image- the portrait of the girl, a French take on a English Chesterfield sofa, a coffee table upholstered(!) to match- these are things I would not have even imagined! As a designer, it is my job to reimagine spaces for my clients that go beyond their expectations. Here is a juxtaposition that I can brainstorm on, that I can tuck away in a corner of my mind for just the right time.
The above image is a gathering room in the hotel La Reserve, opposite the Grand Palais in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. Appropriately named, this room is a perfect examply of old school Parisian elegance. The molding on the ceiling, the perfectly tufted velvet chairs, the leather bound books- this simply exemplifies understated luxury. As it has been quite a while since I have had the chance to design a library, I will always picture this room as a source of inspiration.
Ah, and I saved the best for last! The Peninsula is in a storied, 1908 building that used to house the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After a six-year, $580 million renovation, this Belle Époque building has been transformed into one of Paris's hottest spots, with movie-set worthy rooms set on a grand scale that you would only find in Paris. These images are awe-inspiring, with the incredible moldings and the grand sense of scale. I am currently working on a project for a client that wants a palate of black and white, with varying shades of gray and cream. Coming across these images of this beautiful hotel will certainly lend a sense of inspiration for this project.
Until next time,
Evie
