More from the Little Bookroom...

There are so many great books from The Little Bookroom, that I had to do another post. They have so many fun titles covering major cities and aren't the covers so cute? This one above, Chic Shopping Paris, by Rebecca Magniant, shares the "creme de la creme" of her favorite Parisian shops...

In Jamie Cahill's, The Patisseries of Paris, you’ll discover what time of day Parisians in the know get items as they come out of the oven, where to find the best tea salons, chocolatiers, ice cream parlors and more!

In Paris: Made by Hand, stylist Pia Jane Bijkerk showcases more than 50 shops in Paris that embody the spirit of fait main (made by hand), where you’ll find the most original and creative clothing, jewelry, handbags, ceramics, home furnishings, and decorative objects in Paris.

The Flea Markets of France by Sandy Price is an invaluable guide for experienced and first-time flea marketers. She provides everything from tips on bargaining to where to find particular items.

If you're looking for a fabulous brasserie in Paris, Francois Thomazeau provides a wonderful guide in The Brasseries of Paris.

There are many, many great books available at The Little Bookroom! Not just on France, but Italy, the UK, New York and more.

AND during the month of May they are offering 30% off on all Paris guidebooks! I just had to share these with you. See all of the titles here.

The Best Vintage, Antique & Collectible Shops in Paris

Thanks to Courtney at Style Court for her recent post about this fabulous new book, "The Best Vintage, Antique & Collectible Shops in Paris." This small paperback book by Edith Pauly is a wonderful guide to finding the most unique vintage items in Paris. It showcases 58 eclectic shops, as well as the Porte de Vanves and Clignancourt flea markets.

Whatever you're looking for, this little book has beautiful colored photos of curiosities; garden ornaments, mid-century Scandinavian vases, Grand Tour luggage, monogrammed linen sheets, a train-station clock, textiles, silver, old postcards, child-sized Thonet furniture...

The author describes it best, "Antiques aficionados and rummagers of every stripe: call to mind dimly lit attics, trunks smelling of old leather, dusty cartons, and that indescribable tingle of suspense aroused by the idea of a hidden prize which has been lying there, biding its time, waiting for you to find it."

You can purchase the book for under $14 here on the The Little Bookroom site, who incidentally, has the cutest books. I'm off to buy a copy right now. Can't wait!

Photos from The Little Bookroom

Disappearing Store Fronts

Claudia (The Paris Apartment) just told me about this amazing coffee table book called, "The Disappearing Face of New York." It's about New York's traditional mom-and-pop store fronts being replaced with chain stores or closing. It breaks my heart to see this happening in cities all over the world.

This fabulous book is compiled by photographers, James and Karla Murray, and beautifully captures the neon and hand-painted signs, old doors, peeling paint, aging steel, and the items hanging in the front windows of these shops and restaurants.

Richard's Barbershop, Brooklyn, closed 2006

Manhattan Furrier, Brooklyn 2004

Chain stores are posing a serious threat to these humble institutions and are replacing the unique appearance and character of the beautiful streets. I'm sure you see it in your cities as I see it here in San Francisco. It breaks my heart to see a beautiful Art Deco theatre turned into a gym, or a snazzy old cocktail lounge turned into a Starbucks.

Long Island Restaurant, Brooklyn, since 1951

Katy's Candy Store, in business from 1969-2007, Brooklyn

The text accompanying each image in the book mentions the year the store opened and often includes detailed remembrances of the stores' histories obtained through interviews with managers or owners.

Reynold's Bar, One of the last Irish bars in the neighborhood. Manhattan, 2004

Almost all of these businesses are a reflection of New York's early immigrant population, a wild mix of Irish, Germans, Jews, Italians, Poles, Eastern Europeans and later Hispanics and Chinese.

Ideal Dinettes, Brooklyn, in business 1953-2008

D. D'Auria and Sons Pork Store, Little Italy of the Bronx, in business from 1939-2006

We can get involved in preserving our ever-changing neighborhoods. The National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to save America's diverse historic places and revitalize our communities. Or contact your local city. In San Francisco we have the San Francisco Preservation Society.

I'd love to hear about your neighborhoods. What changes have you seen?

{Photos courtesy of James & Karla Murphy Photography}

Assouline at the Plaza

Assouline Books at the Plaza Hotel in NYC, who knew? Have any of you been there?

It opened last July...okay, I'm a little behind. Apparently there is a small shopping mall in the Plaza and this little treasure of a shop is there. Plaza monogrammed windows and all. I was there last May and didn't see any mall.

Plaza monogrammed windows and beautiful vignette

I love Assouline. This luxury publisher produces handsome books on fashion, art, photography and design, as well as, beautiful gift items like desk accessories and stationary. Assouline and Taschen have to be two of my favorite publishers. Assouline's luxury-edition boxed-sets are amazing.

Assouline offers a range of three scented candles for bibliophiles called Book Scented Candles which includes Bibliothèque, Wood, and Leather. They are meant to "...evoke the rich fragrance of a library with carefully selected blend of aromatic ingredients gathered from around the world." (I need one of these candles)

And what about these monogrammed ostrich eggs?

Interiors of the Assouline bookstore/boutique located in The Plaza Hotel. What a bright and beautiful space.

Okay, this is torture. A well-curated selection of vintage books for sale. I love vintage books, as many of you may know from my shop. This photo is making me want to fly back East!

If you live in New York or are visiting, check out the Assouline shop in the Plaza. Please let us know how it is!

Assouline at the Plaza Hotel

768 Fifth Avenue, Mezzanine Level
New York, New York

Photos from assouline.com

Collecting Cecil Beaton

Centenaire de Monte Carlo 1866 - 1966 (Beaton)

International Poster Gallery

I'm a huge fan of Cecil Beaton's work. Sir Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton , 1904-80, was a designer, photographer, writer, painter, and diarist. After designing his first stage show in 1935, Beaton worked on numerous productions from Gigi to My Fair Lady. He is also recognized for his photography, particularly his glamorous portraits of the rich and famous, many of whom were either friends or acquaintances, and for the numerous books he wrote and illustrated.

Cecil Beaton's first edition books at Paris Hotel Boutique

At Paris Hotel Boutique, we sell first edition Beaton books. They are difficult to come by. The covers are exquisite, and the content, most entertaining. Beaton wrote over 20 biographies in his career.

During a buying trip in Southern California awhile back, I spotted an amazing Beaton poster behind the cash register of an antique shop. I went crazy for it. I don't remember the content except that it was a design I'd never seen before. Unfortunately it was not for sale. I begged and pleaded, but the shop owner didn't want to part with it.

Audrey Hepburn photographed by Cecil Beaton

One of these days I'd love to purchase the "Centenaire Monte Carlo" poster, photo above. Do any of you collect Beatons' work? Books? Magazines? Photos? I'd love to hear!

Cecil Beaton's living room in his suite at the Plaza Hotel, New York, 1946
Photographed by Dmitri Kessel, Life Magazine

Vies de Chiens: Lives of Dogs

I'm frequently asked about antique dog-related items for sale, and yes, we have them at Paris Hotel Boutique!

I just love vintage dog items from portraits & engravings, to books & collars. When I came across this out-of-print French book, Vies de Chiens, I was astounded by the beautiful photos of old precious kennels, collars, leashes, clothes, dogs in royal courts and lists of dog owners from the 16th-19th centuries.

The book is entirely in French, but the photos are great, and if you read French, all the better! I own a white toy poodle, so I love the cover too.

The book was published in Paris by editor, Alain De Gourcuffin with 150 pages featuring an exhibition of canine accouterments and art that was held in Paris between the 15th of December 2000 and the 31st of March 2001.

I would love to amass a large collection of vintage dog memorabilia. Imagine a wall of old dog portraits!

Antique French Dog Collar from parishotelboutique.com
Antique French Dog Collar from parishotelboutique.com

Currently at Paris Hotel Boutique we have antique French dog collars for sale here and here. We have a copy of this book available as well here.

Hope you enjoyed the photos!

Photos from Vies de Chiens book & parishotelboutique.com

The New French Decor

Some time ago I posted about the book, The New Eighteenth Century Style, by journalist and interior decorator Michele Lalande and photographer Gilles Trillard. It is a must-have for anyone who appreciates antique objects and French decor. Last year Lalande and Trillard published their second book, The New French Decor: Living with Timeless Objects.

I hadn't seen the book in person and my friend Janet heard it was fabulous, so we both placed an order with Amazon. There was a 6 month delay due to publishing issues, but we finally received our books the other day! It's just as great as I anticipated with pages and pages of gorgeous photographs of old French furniture and objets d' art.

This decor may be impractical and a bit cluttered for our modern-day lifestyle, but it certainly gives you inspiration on how to pair different objects of curiosity to create a unique and personal look. Much of the look in the book is what I try to emulate in my home and the type of objects that I sell on my website. Take a look at some photos from the book. Remember, you can click on the photos for enlarged images...

One of my favorite photos in the book... old cut-out photographs mounted on wood decorate a cupboard of antique glasses
Old Pharmacy bottles used as vases and a flower holder used as a candleholder
Astier dinnerware with a garden bouquet.

I love decorating with old apothecary bottles, portraits and worn leather books.


19th Century glass domes and gesso picture frames always add a touch of whimsy.
Love this shot of an angel by sculpturer Corinne Forget, levitating in the corner of a bedroom in front of gilded mirrors.

An old fireplace mantle with plaster fragments


Collections look great in groupings such as old ivory instruments in glasses or silver flatware in champagne buckets. Old "ghosted" mirrors add a great backdrop as well. I love the look of antique desk accessories and old ephemera

If you're daring, animals always add an element of surprise as does this resin elephant over a dining table.
Various taxidermy molds
An assortment of early French board games
19th century portraits make a nice backdrop for artifacts related to the paintings and their colors

Above: kitchen with assorted ironstone and an antique English telescope with compasses and other instruments

Unfortunately my photos don't do the book justice. You can purchase both Lalande books here at Amazon.

All photos from The New French Decor