12.08.2010

ORNAMENTS MADE BY HAND





DECORATIONS DE NOEL
Faites à la main
There is nothing nicer than to know that an object has been carefully crafted by the hands of someone, somewhere in the world, maybe in a craft room specifically designed for such tasks, perhaps on a kitchen table, and always with a vision well defined in an "artist's" mind. An idea took shape sparked by a piece of felt, a note card, an image spied in a magazine or a gallery or a blog.
The result is so often so very charming. The materials are so often recycled, put away one day for future use, and rediscovered in a big box full of possibility.  
Scanned card and twisted pipe cleaners
oldworldprimitives

Silk screened linen
smartestfish

Stamped coton
jezzeprints

Stitched felt
cosaverde

Fired porcelain
bershebaporcelain

Blown glass
thomas kelly

Molded chocolate
pierre marcolini


au revoir.







12.07.2010

FRENCH EYE VIEW







COUP D'OEIL
Just something that caught my eye.


The powerful artwork. The caramel tones. The architectural details. The strong touches of black. The leathers.
cote paris

au revoir.




12.06.2010

GIFTS GIFTS GIFTS II HOME







Noël, Noël, Noël
II
La maison
I have a few more suggestions for the Holiday "gift chase". I have concentrated my efforts on something for the home in this Gifts Gifts Gifts post and in Friday's and in the near future I will dedicate a little time to ideas you might like for the man or lady in your life, followed by little somethings for the little ones in your heart. 
Zulu Wirework Platter $185.00

Uzbek Copper Tray $385.00


Turkish Hammam Towels $55.00

Tulip Ikat Pillow $255.00

Bolivian Rosewood Bowl $205.00

Baby Alpaca Throw $349.00

Salt and Pepper Shakers $19.00

Dachshund  Cruets and Shakers $29.00 - $19.00

Earth Tone Vases $69.00 -$119.00


bon weekend.





12.04.2010

SYMBOLISM







 SYMBOLISME 

The disciplined performance, the restrained color palette, the amalgam between a modern concept and unchangeable tradition.
China
2008 Summer Olympics Beijing opening ceremony

bon weekend.



12.03.2010

GIFTS GIFTS GIFTS I HOME






Noël, Noël, Noël
 I
La maison

That time has come again. The time to start thinking about family and friends and what might be the perfect object to bestow upon one and all on Christmas morning (or Christmas Eve, if that's your family tradition). It is not an easy task; well maybe task is too harsh a word; maybe endeavor or challenge. Well, challenge makes it all sound like searching high and low for the Holy Grail. So let's settle for job. Yes, it is a job. Come to think of it, it quickly turns into a full time job as a matter of fact. 
BUT! Technology to the rescue. This is the ABSOLUTE best time to shop ONLINE! Really! a click here, a click there. Of course before the clicks comes the search. All the technology in the world will not spare you the search. If you are an ANGEL and know everyone's secret wish and know where to go to find it, BRAVO! I don't belong to your club I am afraid.
During the weeks to come I will offer a few suggestions for home and persons alike, the fruits of some of my own research. I hope that will help. 


MECOX GARDENS

Square Striped Jade bowl $ 350.00White and Silver Coral tray $325.00

Vintage Venetian bowl $310.00

Small Knot Sculpture $159.00

Acanthus pillow $300.00
Large Diamond Patterned tray $285.00



Large Bumpy Berry candle $22.00

Oyster candle holder $49.00


Copper Colored Glass vases (set of 3) $119.00

Inlaid Bone Flower tray $199.00


Corkscrew wine jute bag $16.00

BON SHOPPING.


au revoir.





12.02.2010

A CHIC PROVENCE DESIGN TOUR







BELLE ET CHIC PROVENCE...
When the temperature here is hovering around the very last positive digits, when we are the next in line for a good (?) snow storm, when I dream of warm rays of sunshine, what comes to mind? Le sud. The south.  As in the south of France. I am a southern girl you see. If not by birth (that's Tunisia), by compatibility. Most of all in le sud de la France, I love Provence. 
How can one not love Provence?

The olive trees, the vineyards, the lavender fields.

The magnificent food


The small villages with their terra cotta tile roofs

and of course the cafés. One on every corner...

...but enough of my love affair with Provence. Don't take MY word for it. Go straight to Kit Golson's heavenly blog about all things French, Chic Provence and check out the great adventure she has planned for next Easter in and around L'isle sur la Sorgue.


Here is a quick peak 
See what I mean...

If you want to discover or rediscover Provence like an experienced pro and do it with the most knowledgeable guides, visit all the perfect places, and do, eat, find and inevitably buy all the right things, don't miss this unique tour. This is what memories are made of.
Sign up.
You will have so much fun!



au revoir.



12.01.2010

WOODLESS FIREPLACES






LES CHEMINEES SANS BOIS
Winter is fast approaching in my neck of the woods. Not my favorite season, but it is coming, like it or not, so we'll have to deal with it. 
Just because your home has one or more fireplaces does not necessarily mean they need to be used. Conventionally I mean. With kindle and logs. The mess and effort involved might discourage you, safety might concern you and you might find your house to be just as comfy a nest without a fire roaring. No worry. All kinds of solutions are there for the choosing.

You may opt to go the hearth-as-niche way, with candles. You might even dare to light them... 

or, like this clever occupant, turn it into a bookcase

And then there is the gas fire route. Have a gas line brought to your fireplace, add classic imitation logs, imitation coal or the more modern style of river stones or crushed colored glass and voila! you have a roaring fire. You may even acquire a remote control gizmo so you don't have to get up from your chair and bend down to turn it on and off. This idea I like. A lot.

the classic

or the contemporary


There is also a methane burning option. Clean, compact and, yes, "portable", they advertise. Just hang on the wall- with certain safety codes to be followed of course.

And if you don't want anything at all burning in your hearth, there is always the wonderful world of make believe.

  Fireless fires
The pre-programmed flip-a-switch convenience

The insert-and-hit-play DVD solution complete with crackling noise. For the sweet smell of a fire there are special scented candles. Yes, they have thought of EVERYTHING!

and for the suspended-reality crowd:
The cardboard fireplace. Recyclable, charming, a tad childish, and talk about portable!
images apartment therapy, gallery fireplaces, furniturestoreblog, hole2, loftlikemag, digital treasures, sinwi, homedesign find, fuelless, trendir, casa sugar

Stay warm this winter if you can.




au revoir.