I’m bidding a brief adieu to the Carolinas for today’s post in order to share style insights from my recent trip to Paris. Ahh, Paris {sigh}. I just returned from a week’s vacation in this chicest of cities. Before this trip I might have thought of French style as a particular look: French country, with its chippy farmhouse tables, toile curtains, and burlap lampshades. Or perhaps French art nouveau, with its fairy-land florals and decadent dancers of Toulouse-Lautrec’s Moulin Rouge. But what struck me on my recent (now fourth) visit to Paris was the many ways style is woven into the fabric of daily life. This city, studded by historical landmarks, with its grand boulevards and tiled arcades, its pastry as art form, its subway violinists so talented it breaks your heart, its haute cuisine served elbow-to-elbow, serves up style as an experience. Something to be not only seen but smelled, tasted, touched, and heard.
There is a certain romanticism about Paris. A certain je ne sais quoi, if you will. What is it about this city that makes people dreamy-eyed? And how can I adopt a little of that style, attitude, and way of life? I was sure I could do better than an Eiffel Tower trinket, so as I traversed the city I observed and photographed details of Parisian style that I found interesting, beautiful, and usually both. Here are some lessons I learned from the City of Light:
1. Start the day right
No more cardboard scones from Starbucks! The Petite Marquise was a busy boulangerie-patisserie we found near our hotel. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as starting the day with a perfect cafe au lait and a freshly baked pastry from a beautiful display case. It quickly became our morning ritual.
Breakfast of champions! A pain au chocolate and cafe au lait, from the Petite Marquise. My husband preferred the galettes (a kind of quiche). Notice the tray: I love the way the cafe personalized it with their charming logo.
2. Add fresh flowers
Fresh flowers have always seemed like such a luxury to me, but in Paris they’re de rigueur. Flower shops like this one seemed to be on nearly every corner of Paris. The inventive floral displays and variety of blooms were stunning. I especially liked the simple potted greenery in rustic galvanized pails
Simple geraniums in a windowbox with wrought iron grate: quintessential Paris.
3. Take a moment to pause, reflect and enjoy the scenery
Paris is famous for people watching, and there is no shortage of places to do it. Here I am at the Tuileries Gardens. These attractive green chairs are scattered around the park, providing a place to relax and take in the scenery.
Rodin’s “The Thinker”. A reminder to pause and reflect.
4. Delight in the details
Beautiful architecture abounds in Paris. This is the remarkable stained glass dome inside the Galeries Lafayette department store.
I was mesmerized by this mosaic floor tile pattern inside of the Galerie Vivienne, an early 19th century arcade in the 2nd arrondissement.
5. Enjoy fun, funky and found furnishings
How fun is the orange and blue pomegranate print on this settee? What a great way to inject a dose of color and cheer into a bedroom, foyer, or really anywhere. As seen at the Bensimon store in the 3rd arrondissement.
I learned from speaking with the shop keeper that this industrial style barstool is being reproduced from original designs in the actual factory where it was originally made. Interested? It comes in four finishes, and shipping can be arranged to the US.
Oh, and one more thing:
The best way to end the day: a baguette, a hunk of cheese and a bottle of wine picked up on your way home from work. Here, locals and tourists alike enjoy the local food purveyors found along the Rue Mouffetard in the Latin Quarter.
Tell me, what parts of the Parisian lifestyle sound good to you? You might just have to break out a bottle of Bordeaux and think about it.