Interior Design Sense

Greetings from the City of Lights!  I am here with my hubby John to attend the Maison & Objet Home Fashion Showcase, and we couldn’t be having a better time eating, drinking, sightseeing and shopping our way through this magnificent city!  Although the weather has been a bit dreary at times, that hasn’t stopped us from taking in all that Paris has to offer. Also a blast meeting one of my Chicago client’s at the flea market to find goodies for her new home.  I am so excited to bring the best of European chic back to the U-S of A for my clients and showroom!

Here is a look inside what we have been up to…

Hotel Plaza Athenee…our amazing hotel!  So Paris chic.  Lavish glam to the max! The Gallerie and Night Club were elegant and happening.  The Dior Spa and Fitness Center was one of my favorite haunts during my stay. Fitness was much sought out after foie gras intake daily.

Beautiful nighttime at our lovely hotel with the twinkling lights of the Tour Eiffel in the background. There is an ice skating rink in the courtyard of the hotel with children skating daily to the tunes of french music.

Restaurant Le Jules Verne at the Eifel Tower

Hands down the best meal and views of our stay in Paris.  I highly recommend for lunch, sipping champagne of course!

Clignancourt Flea Market…I was like a kid in a candy store even though I have visited many times….

My client and I trying to wrangle best prices while amusing the crowd

Vanves Flea Market…another endless world of treasures!

The main attraction of our trip, Maison & Objet Home Fashion Showcase.  Five days of the most amazing home furnishings and decor in the world!  What is it about Paris that makes everything so oo-la-la?

Check out these chairs…j’adore!

Some exhibitors and me in the Hall of Garden and Home Furnishing’s………..

A few little treats from Laduree to end the perfect day in our hotel …These are mostly gifts I swear!

I found another artist (Mimi Chen Ting) who brightened up my day so I had to share her playful pieces with you.  I can see these compositions and colors in all kinds of rooms and spaces especially if it’s on the traditional side and you’re looking to make a modern statement.  Take a look at her work through Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery and let me know how you feel after a viewing.  It should be cheery!

This past week I was researching inspiration for closets and built-ins for a client project that currently requires renovating two bedrooms. The closets in both rooms may be visible to the room itself, so the most ideal way to make them presentable is to make them look good! That means built-in drawers and cabinetry, nice hardware and lighting, and other decorative elements to create a stylish closet space.

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An attic space turned closet with gold and metallic accents, wallpapered ceilings.

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Small and narrow, but every inch accounted for.

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Everything is neatly concealed behind paneled doors, with a stunning entry door.

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A full length mirror makes a narrow space appear larger.

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A dramatic high gloss black painted dressing room.

Congratulations to MG reader Aliza from Lakewood, New Jersey! Aliza has won both the “Dr. Mary Side Sleeper” and “Jetsetter” pillows from the wonderful folks at The Pillow Bar!

Developed by noted sports chiropractor Dr. Mary Collings, the luxurious “Dr. Mary Side Sleeper” is designed to relieve shoulder and neck tension, and the “Jetsetter” pillow is perfect for comfort on the go.

Aliza told MG that she’ll catch some zzz’s with her new pillows in her favorite room of her new home- the master bedroom! The sleek pillows- recently featured in the Wall Street Journal- will fit perfectly in her white and grey bedroom, which mixes traditional elegance with hotel contemporary. Enjoy, Aliza!

Dr. Mary Side Sleeper Pillow

Jetsetter Pillow

Lorin Marsh is a furniture and accessories showroom that’s been in business since 1975.  It’s represented locally in Houston by David Sutherland.  I’ve picked my favorite pieces that fit my aesthetic  more, “cleaned-up feminime,” but they really have a range.  These products are definitely “high-end,” but it shows.  I’m off to face the swarming crowds (not my favorite thing) at Dallas Market hoping to see Emily at some point!

This unusual glass tube chandelier illuminates your home while shedding a little light on your own unique sense of style. Reminiscent of the Art Deco era but totally innovative in its design, the Maria suspended ceiling fixture features a central light bulb surrounded by a single or double row of glass test tubes – which is in and of itself an experiment in style! When empty, the glass sparkles like dazzling icicles in the light, or line the tubes with flowers to create an overhead bouquet, bringing some spring and summer into your home in any season. Alternately, let your creativity fill your home by filling these tubes with colored water, sand, beads – your only limit in your own imagination! Check out the Maria glass tube chandelier by visiting Gang Design.

As the name suggests, Stressless furniture makes comfort furniture – seating products to be exact. Just looking at the images reassures that this company puts ergonomics first and that their products don’t only provide the perfect support, but they do so with design appeal. They incorporate their own Stressless Plus System into all their seating products, from recliner chairs to love seats and sofas. There is quite a variation in style among their creations, so you can be sure that in achieving the ultimate comfort, you will also find the ultimate design to suit your tastes. Visit Stressless to learn more and see the whole range.

For gorgeous lighting fixtures, check out the new Spillray Collection by Axo Light. These glass lights come in crystal, orange, red and grey and are supported by chrome plated metal. The possibilities seem endless when it comes to lighting type – pendants, wall lights, chandeliers, table lamps – upside down or right side up. You get the feeling that Spillray is more than a collection – it’s practically a system. Depending on your choices, these lights can be as delicate as they can be bold. The beauty of the design is that no matter how outrageous or simple your choices are, you’ll always end up with a lighting fixture that is undoubtedly Spillray. See more at Axo Light.

Walter Knoll released the rather elegant Bao Armchair recently. We had to share it here because of its extremely unique look that simultaneously boasts a timeless appeal. It’s roomy and round and displays some lovely curves. The back of the armchair is covered in a rich leather patchwork, while the seat is upholstered in fabric. The duo of materials adds a textural element to the chair, which also enhances the chair’s spectacular form. It swivels on a concealed metal plate. Reminiscent of a leather ball, this armchair is playful and sophisticated at the same time. Learn more at Walter Knoll.

New York City-based designer Victor Vetterlein is bringing new life to the world of lighting with this modern, minimalist desk lamp, the Tree Of Life. This LED desk lamp features a whimsical shape inspired by blooming fruit trees with a gentle arch, pointing its five lights toward your tabletop to shed some light on the task at hand or artfully illuminate whatever’s on display. The lamp boasts a copper body that lets you manipulate its shape. A simple, slim silhouette and minimalist white palette make this lamp really shine. More information is available by visiting Victor Vetterlein.
via MocoLoco