Parishotel Boutique

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

A Favorite Store: PRIZE

Because my friend Jennifer Davis is waiting so long to get her online store launched, I thought I’d go ahead and talk about her fabulous shop, PRIZE, as this may get her motivated!

A little history…I first met Jennifer at the corner of Green & Laguna in San Francisco over 10 years ago at one of her infamous Shabby Chic garage sales (come on now, it was the early 90’s). I remember contemplating if I should purchase a $10 floral hooked rug and stressing out over it.

Jen always had a knack for style and merchandising as evident from her Berkeley, San Francisco, and current shop in Ashland, Oregon. She and her former business partner Christina were one of the first to make popular: vintage trophies, globes, school maps, flash cards, hotel silver, French curiosities, garden animals and so much more. She often rented out her collections to Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware for prop display in catalogs.

I’ve always admired Jen’s style and have enjoyed our friendship, too. We’ve done the traveling circuit from a hotel silver buying trip in Oklahoma City, to scouting for antiques in Chicago. It’s always an adventure with Jennifer and that includes some impromptu gambling trips to Reno and Tahoe. Little secret… she can’t stay away from the craps table.

About four years ago, Jennifer sold her shop in San Francisco and she and her husband headed for her hometown in Ashland, Oregon. She opened up her third PRIZE (3x the size of the SF store!) and has added more merchandise, jewelry, furniture and a fabulous candy counter. I had the pleasure of visiting her shop and it’s really something in person.

I love it because it’s so eclectic. There are French beaded basket chandeliers hanging above framed vintage flash cards, delicate diamond jewelry next to Italian candies, a modern tufted chair next to an old cement camel table, and somehow, it all works. I always know I’ll leave with a “prize.” If only that perfect little black Chiavari chair didn’t have a NFS (not for sale) tag on it!

If you’re traveling through Southern Oregon, please be sure to visit PRIZE. Ashland is a charming town with a year-round Shakespeare festival, great restaurants, and a perfect place to stay, the Ashland Springs Hotel.

PRIZE
264 East Main Street
Ashland, Oregon 97520
(541) 482-0345

hours:
Monday-Saturday 10:00-5:30
Sunday: 11:00-5:00

prizeshoppe.com (don’t get frustrated…her merchandise will be available for purchase soon)

A Beautiful Blog

I just discovered the lovely blog, mer mag. The blogger, Merrilee, is an illustrator, painter and designer, and has used her talents to create a breathtakingly beautiful blog. It covers everything from fashion to home decor. It has great eye-candy and is informative as well. I recently discovered it when she used one of my paintings (above) as her color inspiration for a blog post. Wow!

Here are some samplings from her blog. For more of Merrilee's inspiring postings, click here.

Above: Merrilee's post about her obsession with"glam" decor and photos from This is Glamorous

Abaete's spring 08 collection has Merrilee dreaming of delicious Neapolitan ice cream and carefree summers

Last but not least, Merrilee designed these shoes (above) for Fluevog. Named Merrilee,

these nostalgic saddle-style shoes reminded Merrilee of her magical childhood. Now that's impressive!

Photos courtesy of mer mag

New at Le Meurice Hotel!

The bicycle has arrived in Paris! The new citywide bicycle renting program, Velib, is the coolest way to explore the City of Lights. The Hotel Le Meurice is offering its guests “the Meurice touch," a chic and comfortable pistachio-green bicycle with all the trimmings! Cheery red satchels are attached to either side of the rack, permitting cyclists to tote that day’s shopping back to the hotel. They are offering them for sale upon request. Imagine strolling around your neighborhood in one of these!

Check out these fancy black leather high chairs in the Le Meurice restaurants. Only the French!

These silk skeleton chair pillows are so beautiful.

Photos courtesy of Lemeurice.com

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Typography

French Chairs upholstered in French printed burlap from Paris Hotel Boutique

I just love typography. Anything with interesting letter design piques my interest. Perhaps that's why I started collecting hotel silver because of the fancy script and logos across the front of the pieces.

When I see vintage typeset or calligraphy, I go crazy! I spent $200 on a sweatshirt in New York because of the vintage font on the front. I just can't help myself! Here are some of my favorites...{I had to sneak in some photos from my website}

Decoupage Hotel Algonquin tray by John Derian

Decoupage tray by John Derian

Fancy Scrap Paper from Bernard Maisner

Vintage French Ribbon from Paris Hotel Boutique

Vintage Bus Sign from Paris Hotel Boutique

Vintage Coffee Press from Paris Hotel Boutique

French Apothecary Jar from Paris Hotel Boutique

"Cities Wall Collections" from Granada Design

Calligraphy by May-belle

Back of French Chairs from Paris Hotel Boutique

Photos courtesy of:
johnderian.com
parishotelboutique.com
may-belle.com
granadadesign.com
bernardmaisner.com

Friday, July 4, 2008

Too Pretty to Eat!

A Cartier-inspired "diamond" necklace with two mini ring box bites

The most beautiful cake creations I've ever seen are from the gallery, I Dream of Cake, here in San Francisco. Creater/owner Shinmin Li uses techniques such as hand-painting, sculpting (no molds), and custom stencils to make confections that look so true to form it’s unreal! They are truly works of art.

I've peered through the windows of her North Beach location, and her gallery is as whimsical as her cakes. I was so awestruck that I took photos with my phone to send my friend. You must take a look at her website which showcases her gallery and photos of her scrumptious cakes.

Prices range from $10 to $25 per serving and custom cakes start at $400. Shinmin uses the finest ingredients and her cakes taste as good as they look. But, who can cut into one of these beauties?