T.G.I.F. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING...

C'est vendredi 

today's fun find

ON NOUS SURVEILLE...

images dark roasted blend, smelly funny, the ridiculant, yourdailydump, laughing squid

Bon weekend!

au revoir.

HELP: WHITE BEDDING

I am regularly approached for "a word" of design advice. What would YOU do in this and that case?

This is not a rare occurrence and as flattering as it is to be asked, giving advice for a space you usually have not seen is not exactly like driving blindfolded but it does feel a little like driving without a rear view mirror; not really impossible, but pas très comfortable. 

Hence, my new column: 

au secours! -

I will post  general advice in answer to non site-specific questions I have been asked. You may participate, of course. That would be so much fun. Just keep it relatively general, if you could. 

Here we go:

LE LIT BLANC

Stephanie: I love my neutral bedroom's all white bedding. Can I keep it , change only a few  things, and still make  my bedroom more inviting?

To break the neutral+white look of a bedroom and put a little spice in the mix, there are a number of ways to go about it. There are in fact as many ways as there are places to act: ON the bed, AT THE HEAD of the bed, BEHIND the bed, ABOVE the bed, and of course all AROUND the bed. 

ON THE BED

A great and inexpensive way to jazz up a white bed is to add a throw or a pillow or both; it's like a fabulous scarf: color, texture and pattern. Instant life.

AT THE HEAD

Of course a new headboard or a new slip cover for it is a perfect  way to bring some pizzazz to your bed.

GREAT IDEA:This headboard was given a brand new look with a graphic throw slung over it.

BEHIND

A large bold piece of art behind a bed will do wonders for a room by bringing in style and warmth and by modifying the volume of the room visually without touching the bed. 

AT THE FOOT

Just a bench at the foot of a bed will make a huge difference.

HIGH ABOVE 

A canopy will also crown a bed with unimaginable drama. It can be large or small, fancy or very plain, but it never fails to draw the eye up above the bed, like a large finial or a sumptuous shade on a lamp.

ALL AROUND

 Paint

Colorful panels on the windows.

A vibrant playful rug.

I hope this will successfully show you that yes, you can keep those beautiful crisp white sheets and still retire to a cosy bedroom.

images decorpad, marcel marongiu, design wonderland, belle vivir, vosges paris.

au revoir.

THE UNION JACK'S OTHER JOB.

RULE, RULE, BRITANNIA

This is for you over there in England or in the wider British "world' and for the entire Anglophile community of which I am a card carrying member. My friend Nan Mabon who so graciously writes the column The London Bulletin for my blog, had included this piece of furniture in her column (see the post again here) and it made me think of other Union Jacks I had seen in Googleland that were NOT flying over a government building, but rather jazzing up interiors. 

These striking pieces, an antique Sofa, a fabulous chaise and two Anglo-Indian smaller pieces have been given a shot of "modern" with the use of a very well placed Union Jack fabric.

A small dose lights up a very soft corner.

A haphazard stitched version 

Vivienne Westwood managed to translate the look of a very old and faded flag into a fun wool rug.

Even the mini, THE fun British car par excellence, gets the Union Jack treatment with a whimsical "hat".

God save the Queen.

images antiques resource, james merrell, andreashollinteriors, isaslittleworld, sketchy, howstuffworks


au revoir.

THE SHELTERING SKY: great finds, the bookstore and the bazaar

UN THE AU SAHARA

Un petit voyage au Maroc

TANGIER

DES TROUVAILLES

This is the last places in Tangier I will report on, chosen out of the myriad of wonderful places one must visit on a trip to Tangier. Of course there are others, like the Parfumerie Madini where I have my own perfume made with vetiver, lemon and a mixture resembling Dior's Eau Sauvage. When they don't have any vetiver extract- the case during our last trip- I buy their fern extract to put in my bath. HEA.VEN! 

There is also the adorable tailor who makes Caftans for us, after taking precise measurements, but then sized from tops we bring.

And the old man who will make custom rafia sandals in 3 days.

And let's not forget the wonderful weavers who make custom fabrics for curtains or divine bed covers to your size, color and design specifications.

LA LIBRAIRIE DES INSOLITES

The book store/photo gallery rolled into one lively, colorful, whimsical package opened a few weeks ago. It's French owner, Stephanie Bernard, is just as lively, colorful and sophisticated as her creation. She is a wonderful writer of short stories herself and has frequent book signing soirées at the Librairie. Her choices range from young Moroccan authors to well known French ones to the most delightful interior design books. What's more, she is the designer behind this lovely space, a mixture of Moroccan inspired touches, 60's pieces, vibrant colors and perfect architecture; one really wants to stay and peruse every single book in sight. Impossible not to leave with one or two. Or more.

BAZAAR TINDOUF

 La Caverne d'Ali Baba

Here you better have a lot of time and a very lean figure.Everywhere a pile of this, a stack of that, and VERY narrow aisles in between. Lanterns, carpets, dishes, brass side tables and mother of pearl incrusted bureaux abound. Even if you are just there for a quick look, there is no way on earth you will leave empty handed. Even the stores in Paris looking to add an ethnic vibe to their collections buy from this fabulous treasure trove.

So, did you buy your ticket yet?

Next week we are on to Marrakesh and some great finds there also.

au revoir.