Marketplace: Merci in Paris

March 6, 2014 | Leave a Reply

I was really looking forward to visiting the design store Merci while I was in Paris. One morning I walked from St. Germain to the Haut Marais and found Merci at 111 Blvd Beaumarchais. The trip took me along the Seine, through areas of the Marais and Les Halles. It was such a sunny day and it gave me the perfect excuse to eat one of Paul’s pain au chocolat along the way. (Any excuse is a good excuse!)

Merci is located in a beautiful, large, light-filled historic building, and it is definitely very high on design. It reminded me a bit of Colette (before it got so famous and busy). The various floors showcased everything from tiny dainty rings and necklaces to classic French linen scarves to notebooks and books to furniture to kitchen gadgets. The selection of products also included some lovely leather handbags, place settings, and lighting. Within the space is a restaurant and café that looked pretty cool, but I didn’t feel like hanging out there (probably because I already had my pain au chocolat).

What I loved most about Merci was the cool ribbon exhibit on the first floor. The exhibit included books of museum-worthy ribbons that weren’t for sale, and boxes of ribbon sample booklets in protective plastic sleeves that were for sale. It was beautiful. I could have spent hours flipping through all the ribbons. I bought a couple of booklets that I’ll frame. That was really enjoyable.

What didn’t I like? Well, I really was expecting to see some beautiful made-in-France or made-in-Europe items, but a large majority of what I picked up was made in China. And priced really high. I don’t know, it just wasn’t for me. I was disappointed. I think I’m also spoiled because of all the time I’ve spent in NYC…I’ve seen quite a few of the items there already and I was looking for some more innovative European collections. Regardless, I feel lucky that I was able to visit Merci in person and I am looking forward to seeing how it evolves. I have no doubt that it’s here to stay.

Travel: Design Details in Paris

March 5, 2014 | 2 Commentaries

I feel so lucky to have spent so much time in Paris in the last decade. I’ve gotten to know some of the areas quite well, I’ve seen a lot of the major tourist attractions, and I now love to just wander the city. The store windows are inspiring, the architecture is unbelievable, and there is always always always something exciting going on in the city!

This post highlights some of the small(er than the Eiffel Tower) design details I captured in Paris.

1. This crazy cool light fixture that was in the Grand Palais gift shop.

2. Angelina’s was a new stop for me this year. My friends and I stopped in for a rich hot chocolate and dessert. The interior was gorgeous and we had a really happy and friendly waitress. In between sips of hot chocolate, I looked up and noticed that Angelina’s has the same light fixtures as me!

3. More amazing chandeliers were to be found at the Marché aux Puces. Amazing. There were hundreds (or thousands?) of crystal chandeliers around the market stalls and they were all brilliantly shiny. Oh man. So lovely.

4. Lighting wasn’t the only thing that caught my eye. I am fascinated by Paris architecture. This wall and window and clover-detailed window grate was on a wall behind the Sacre Coeur. While everyone else was staring at the magnificent cathedral, I was taking photos of lesser-known walls around Montmartre. Can you imagine lifting and laying each one of those massive stones?

5. This little detail was on a rather simple building in St. Germain (on Rue Cherche Midi). It was just sitting up there over the doorway. Love the bow.

6. I think this next simple white door and wall was around Place des Vosges in Le Marais. I like that all the straight lines are broken up by a round window.

7. I only just noticed that above the face is “J’écoute” (I listen). This was also above an entry way and I am impressed by all the details…look at those flowers. How, how, how did people do this kind of thing centuries ago?

8. The Sacre Coeur. Okay – so I lied in one of the above comments. Just like everyone who visits Montmartre, I stared at the Sacre Coeur. It’s too incredible. And very white. It’s made of self-cleaning stone.

9. My friends and I attended Sunday mass at St. Sulpice. It was beautiful. No surprise, right? The organ concert after mass was incredible. Did the Da Vinci code mention the organ?

10. A few bridges in Paris are getting filled up with padlocks-of-love, but I think Pont des Arts definitely has the most! I hope the bridge can handle the weight of them all.

And there you have it – another Paris update. See more here.

Fashion: Cartier Exhibit in Paris

March 4, 2014 | 2 Commentaries

I was pretty thrilled when I learned that there was a Cartier exhibit at the Grand Palais in Paris during my stay. I arrived on Saturday and the last day of the show was Sunday. Naturally, after dropping off our luggage at our apartment, my friends and I walked over (through the Louvre, tuileries, Concorde, etc.) to the Grand Palais. I had never been to there before this visit. I could have stared at the architectural details of the building for hours, but I had diamonds to see so we headed directly into the show.

The diamonds, and the rest of the Cartier collection (books, designs, templates, forms, clothing, paintings) was unbelievably beautiful. The diamonds sparkled brilliantly (well, that’s pretty obvious for a diamond that is 40 carats, right?). The collection included diamonds worn by Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, and Queen Elizabeth, among others. The show took us through the historical journey of Cartier, including the sources of design inspiration for Louis-Francois Cartier all those years ago. By the end of the show, I became pretty good at picking out the Tutti Frutti pieces – they’re too colourful for my taste, but oh so gorgeous to look at. Heck, I wouldn’t say no to Cartier. Who are we kidding?

Unfortunately, the exhibit was very crowded on the Saturday afternoon that we were there, and it wasn’t a very enjoyable show to attend. The jewelry cases were quite close together and people did not flow easily around the small(ish) space. It’s too bad, actually, that it wasn’t more pleasant to wander around the exhibit. I know I missed a lot of up-close views of many important pieces. Perhaps I was also just a tad tired from the trip over (and I’m too impatient to deal with crowds).

Nevertheless, it was pretty cool to be in a room with so much sparkle!

Thanks to the Grand Palais for supplying my show ticket.

Food: Hédiard

February 21, 2014 | Leave a Reply

Hédiard is one of those beautifully divine specialty food shops in Paris that is always worth a visit. The Hédiard blend tea is one of my all-time faves and I’m so looking forward to picking some up on this trip. I love the wall of red tins in the shop and I have always received great service. Eeek – I can’t wait!

sel

chocolat

mélange Hediard Sencha

Design: Christofle

February 20, 2014 | Leave a Reply

Keeping up with the French theme, today I’m featuring some absolutely impressive items from Christofle. Why are beautiful French objets so darn pricey? Luxury doesn’t come cheap, right?