All posts tagged: French Inspiration Decor

for the love of cooking

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While in transition, I had to sacrifice having a kitchen in order not to complicate the process.  In the meantime, I have had to scramble around and find creative ways to eat and believe me, not only is it challenging but downright depressing. Why you may ask? Well it is because I love cooking and enjoy nothing more than a home cooked meal on my own terms. So in order to get my fix for  kitchen gone missing, I often walk through specialty stores for  kitchen  gadgets and cooking supplies. One place I enjoy is a a store (perfectly named in my opinion) called  Sur La Table.  The store is not much different from any other kitchen related specialty store but it is a fun one to experience no less. Okay, I admit the French theme has something to do with it. Anyway, since I am considering creating a more French inspired theme throughout my next place of residence, I walked out with a list of items to include when it comes to organizing or furnishing …

in honor of the color pink

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One of my favorite color is pink. It wasn’t always like that but after Victoria’s Secret introduced us to the color pink with their beautiful shopping bags, pink was quickly added to my favorite color chart. The problem with pink is that if it isn’t the right shade or incorporated with the right accent colors, it almost looks unappealing. I know most women in the U.S. shy away from it because as a child they were forced to wear pink and when they had daughters of their own, all the gifts included the dull, traditional pink color. What has happened over the years however, is that the color pink has taken on a whole new look. We have so many variations (or hues) of pink that it is almost a sin not to consider the color in home decors, clothing lines and now even appliances, motorcycles and sometimes hair color. My favorite shade or hue is the cherry blossom flower colors pictured here and I must admit I use the color throughout my life proudly. …

parisian decor in a san francisco apartment

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One benefit of living in San Francisco is that you can actually duplicate French inspired decor into your lifestyle providing you are lucky enough to land the right Victorian or Edwardian style apartment. The interior requirements should be exposed parkay floors, an old white fireplace, french doors separating the living and dining room.  Rustic chandeliers (hopefully) hanging throughout the house and large  oblong windows. Anyway, in trying to figure out a theme for decorating my “impending” apartment, I have dabbled with the idea of creating a Parisian style apartment ambiance (of course to no one’s surprise) just to escape to when I get home from a hard days work.  Don’t worry I still appreciate modern design but every time I decide on the furniture or style, I somehow revert back to Parisian decor. Can’t blame a girl whose heart will always be in Paris 🙂

paris in black and white

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What is it about photographs of Paris in black and white? Actually the only other place I can think of that looks amazing in black and white photography is New York. I understand you may disagree but from where I am sitting, those are my favorites. During the winter months I tend to become very nostalgic and will search for anything that feeds into my nostalgia.  Such as classic films, holiday shopping, Dickens’ Fair, listening to Edith Piaf  and looking through black and white photographs of Paris. So for the sake of nostalgia, I am including a postcard that I made of my favorite b&w photos of Paris. Enjoy!

kitchen musts from a modern design perspective

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There are many sides to my interior design taste but there is only two sides to my requirements and those are: STREAMLINED and FUNCTIONAL. I am a sucker for European design and will always opt for their products as a result of it rather than conform to most things in the states. Although, slowly as always but surely, the states are incorporating  “some” modern design styles while manufacturing their products. Anyway and either way, the reason I prefer a more streamlined approach to design (in this case appliances and other kitchen gadgets) is because  of the way the product makes a statement without being over the top. So, without further ranting and raving, I have included below my kitchen musts. The products can be found on Outinhome.com, Lamp-stylehue.com and LIMN.com.

french linen, laundry bags and throw pillows

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Now here is a concept I am growing to love these days. French linen bags and pillow covers being introduced in the U.S.  I have seen them pop up here and there in the past, but not to the extend I notice them more in stores these days. I like it and have included some photographs  for you to ponder over as well. Just in case you are wondering, these items are available at Restoration Hardware and Neiman Marcus and I am almost certain at your local boutique designer stores. Let me know what you think?

sweaters for fall 2010 women over 40 can wear

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Once the official transition takes place from Summer to Fall, meaning past the month of September to mid-October, I begin to feel the need to rearrange my closet in order to get a visual of all my sweaters. Then I go through them and decide which to toss and what to recycle for the upcoming fall season. At the same time, I shop online for the sweaters I would like to have and make my list in order to check them out at the store. One of my favorite stores, and this has been on and off, is Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft. The reason for the on and off is that for a while there it seemed the store or the company had lost it’s touch and appeal so I stayed away from it. But now, this year that is, the items on their online catalog (at least in picture) look great. That’s another thing, what looks good on print doesn’t necessarily look good in the store, so with list in hand I plan to …

nostalgia of french vintage posters

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One thing I can’t seem to get enough of is, French “vintage” posters and postcards. To me, they are a clear reminder of  “perhaps” a more simpler time and in my case a great focal point for when I am stressing about the most current of times. I usually stop at every store, whether in the U.S. but mostly  abroad and flip through the racks and display cases housing these wonderful works of ar, which are now reprinted in postcard or poster form for our viewing pleasure and of course to purchase. I can’t get enough of them and for that reason I have included some of my favorites for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

wishful thinking for fall

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Last days of summer and the first of fall, depending on which calendar you look at. It could be September 22 or 23rd but either way, it’s here, so quickly I must add and based on my mood these day, along with probably millions of other people, the transition is not a pleasant one. As I contemplate transitioning to a new career, experiencing a new life perhaps and the desire to relocate to another city, I continue to ponder over this photograph and wonder how wonderful  it would be to live in Paris for while… Either way, Happy Fall everyone.

admiring restoration hardware

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For a few months now I have stayed away from most things pertaining to  the home, mainly because I just sold mine and also because I am what one may call “in transition” with my life. But about a week ago I walked into a Restoration Hardware store because even though I desperately tried to walk by without looking, I couldn’t help succumb to the new theme from within the store, enticing my curiosity. Not sure if most of my readers are familiar with the store, so I have included a link here just to set the stage for you.  Anyway, I walked into the store or “the gallery” I should say and to my amazement, it had transformed into the most exquisite and delectable and almost museum like display of the most wonderful, classic and in a unique way functional pieces ever put together for the consumer’s viewing pleasure. Well done Restoration Hardware! After picking up a catalog and pointing out the wonderful pieces to my brother as we circled the store, I came home …