Back From Paris

Just came back from Paris, a week packed with events and encounters.

Day One

First stop leaving Charles De Gaulle Airport was lunch at the new Opera Garnier restaurant. Perfect start: I specially enjoyed in this bright new decor the privacy that each table has and each dish was excellent.

From there I went to le Petit Palais to see the exhibit L’oeil en Eventail, the photographs of Charlotte Perriand. That was another success. First it was my first time back at the Petit Palais in years and it is a wonderful place with a beautiful quiet garden. The Exhibition was very well conceived: I was transported into her world and could understand it like one can suddenly read a music score: The connection between what she saw, photographed, collected  and created became obvious, her relationships with Le Corbusier, Janneret and Fernand Leger gave the context to understanding  her strength.  Her pieces of furniture exhibited through out the museum in a hybrid way, among the 18th Century collection as well as in  a dedicated room became incredibly beautiful and important.

2 Important Events in Paris

If you are thinking of visiting Paris and are interested in interior design, this is the time.

The 25^th anniversary of La Biennale des Antiquaires focuses  this year on the quality of furniture and objects. This year Galerie Vallois will present pieces by Jean Dunand.  New this year: 25 Young dealers will exhibit 25 objects.  It takes place at le Grand Palais September 15-22, 2010. 

Also of note Artcurial and the magazine AD  which celebrates  its 10^th anniversary have a unique event dedicated to decorators renewing with the great French tradition of  events dedicated to Decorative arts. 

AD asked 10 decorators to present their vision of French style;  each takes on a room of  the  beautiful Arcurial Haussmanian building. The event takes place from September  8 until September 22 at Hotel Marcel Dassault, 7 rond point des Champs Elysees, Paris VIII and will  offer the public an insight into the world of interior design including the  galleries, craftsmen and contemporary artists in decorative arts.

The decorators selected for the event are François Catroux who decided to present something  unlike his other work:  a “curved living-room” including pieces by Ron Arad and Vladimir Kagan. Catroux plays with architectural volumes and light. Little color, a preference for natural materials for a sober but comfortable result.

Joseph Dirand designed the presidential office “ I wanted a futuristic and megalomaniac room”  His rooms presents a new French classicism. 

 The “Garçonnière » or Playboy room is by Buttazzoni  & associates : “I like multiple use spaces, I wanted a room where you could sleep, entertain , work… and play!”  Known for their rigorous architectural lines the architects energize the space with strong colors.  

The collector’s room  is by Chahan Minassian. His work is all about atmosphere, sophisticated and timeless serenity. Luxurious materials and indirect lighting. 

Tristan Auer says of his studio ”welcome to the  room of a selfish person” He wanted to design a 2 purpose space one darker to entertain and one lighter to isolate oneself. It features  raw textures, vintage pieces and made to measure furniture.

The tropical winter garden  is by India Mahdavi  

A living-room by FRANÇOIS-JOSEPH GRAF site  is at the other end of minimalism. “I want to demonstrate that fantasy can only be expressed through an extreme strictness”

The Minmalist and surrealist boudoir is by Pierre Yovanovitch

The Lady’s bedroom is by Alberto Pinto showcases an elegant chaos of an eccentric lady between 2 trips, objects of all styles and eras, an intimate theater. 

Olivia Putman designed the bathroom which is also a place to relax, entertain, read.  The tub is designed by Andrée  Putman.