REFLECTION . PERFECTION

PARFAITEMENT REFLECHI

When all the details of a design come together perfectly, this is what you get.

The rhythm of a repeated geometric pattern, the consistence of 40's Chic, softly contrasting curves, rich minimalism. 

Perfectly thought out .

Perfectly reflected.

Elegance concentrated.

au revoir.

TEXTURES

MELANGES

Rich textures. A riot of colors. Exotic eclecticism in a nutshell.

au revoir.

WEEKEND FOR MEMORIES

LE WEEKEND DU SOUVENIR

Will we, can we, ever learn the hard lessons of war?

bon weekend.

ORDER AND BEAUTY, LUXURY CALM AND SENSUALITY

 "LA, TOUT N'EST QU'ORDRE ET BEAUTE, LUXE CALME ET VOLUPTE."

-Beaudelaire

image maura mcevoy

He said it best.

Things are getting very hectic these days. 
In contrast, an hour in this minimal environment would do me a lot of good.
And such a perfect shot from the great Maura McEvoy.




au revoir.

SPOKE TOO SOON

J'AI PARLE UN PEU TROP VITE...

cartoon by the great chris madden

This is basically what happened at our place this weekend, albeit not simultaneously... 

oops.

au revoir.

IT'S SUMMER IN THE CITY ALREADY?

C'EST DEJA L'ETE A NYC?

Central Park was PACKED

The view from the roof of the Metropolitan Museum was SPECTACULAR

The flower display in front of this townhouse on 80th Street near 5th Avenue was deserving of a MEDAL




It was summer-like weather yesterday...
without the HUMIDITY!
Heaven.


au revoir.

A TINY HINT

UNE PETITE ALLUSION...

Just a sneak peek at some of our (developing) media material.

A tiny hint.

July should be our website launch date...

au revoir.

50'S, EXOTIC, CLEAN GRAPHICS

 ANNEES 50, EXOTISME, GRAPHISME PUR

Photograph by Louise Dahl-Wolfe

via We Heart Vintage, a must-see blog featuring vintage photos for the lovers of black and white photography of mid-century beauties and the fashions they wore.

And for the stunning backdrops...

au revoir.

WHEN THE OUTSIDE COMPARES TO WHAT 'S INSIDE

QUAND LE CONTENANT VAUT LE CONTENU

Petrossian restaurant and café is housed in the historic and ornate Alwyn Court Building at the corner of West 58th Street and Seventh Avenue. It is a spectacular building. Even NYC's busy passers-by cannot but marvel at the intricacy of its facade.

It stops me in my tracks every time.

au revoir.

DELHI UPON HUDSON

DELHI SUR HUDSON

There are quite a few bicycle taxis on the streets of New York City these days; I suppose the warmer weather is the reason for the surge in numbers. 
I have never taken one, more for lack of time than of bravery, although...riding one must have its moments of sheer terror, I suspect.
It does remind me of Delhi somewhat: that same feeling that one is definitely putting life and limb at risk.
No cows on the street of NYC however; and that's possibly the very least of the differences; the Big Apple has sizable "cows" of its very own. 
And right there, you have one huge detail to consider; the City's move faster than the average Indian sacred cow. 
Much faster.
I'll walk.

au revoir.

ADVICE FOR A NEW LEADER

 CONSEIL POUR UN NOUVEAU DIRIGEANT

...Tis distance lends enchantment to the view...

Why do those cliffs of shadowy tint appear More sweet than all the landscape smiling near?—ʾTis distance lends enchantment to the view, And robes the mountain in its azure hue.

[1799 T. Campbell Pleasure of Hope i. 3]

Pourquoi ces falaises sombres semblent-elle plus douce que tout le riant paysage alentours? La distance prête beauté à la vue, et enrobe la montagne d'une teinte d'azur.

AU REVOIR.

PURE ARTISTRY

THE ARTISTES

arena page vis ffffound

When an exceptional group of artists come together, it's pure visual bliss.

And it does take a large group.

au revoir.

THE COLORS OF TANGIER

TANGER EN TECHNICOLOR

The fishermen had just returned to port and were unloading their catch in colorful plastic cases the day we decided to have lunch on the docks of Tangier. It was, as you can tell, a gloriously sunny day.
Lunch was delicious, as usual. 
The fish could not possibly have been be fresher... as usual.

bon weekend.

MIND BLOWING ARTISTRY

UN TALENT HORS DU COMMUN

This extraordinary piece is the work of Anissa, the patient, talented, focused, precise embroiderer working on part of our abanjà line.
What you see is the front neckline detail of a kaftan she is making for herself. NO, IT IS NOT KNITTING; it is very fine embroidery work -this is more or less the actual size-.
She will continue the tiny stitch work all the way down the front of the ankle length kaftan, bridging the 2 front panels with a 1/2 inch strip of that same embroidery she has just started just above the bottom slit.
Anissa said it was a traditional decorative element. She also mentioned it would take her 3 months!
Anissa, you have my unlimited admiration.

au revoir.

LABOR DAY ...IN FRANCE

LE PREMIER MAI

Today is the day anyone in France who is not employed in the hospitality industry or emergency services takes the day off- no, the 4-day weekend off- to celebrate working.

How we, the French, love our holidays...for better or for worse.

Bonne fète du Muguet.

au revoir.