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

A Coastside Makeover

I’m thrilled to share the home of my longtime friend, (and customer) Marianne. Marianne resides in the lovely city of Woodside, in Northern California. She and her husband Mike recently purchased a complete “fixer-upper” in the beautiful coastal city of Laguna Beach in Southern California. This is a second home for them.

This is a wonderful example of how you can decorate your home by letting your personal taste and style guide the way. Marianne did the makeover all by herself (with some help of contractors, of course), but without hiring a decorator.

Marianne’s house was built in 1960 and has a "jaw-dropping" view of the ocean from her deck and courtyard. Okay, I'm a bit jealous...

'BEFORE' photo of the livingroom with knock-off laminate flooring...

Another 'BEFORE' livingroom shot...

'AFTER' photo of the livingroom

Marianne wanted to create a color palette based on bringing the 'ocean view' into the house. The brown/espresso colors for the sand, and pops of blue for the sea. 'Sisal Stitch' berber carpeting replaced knock-off laminate flooring. Most accessories in the home are brass, gold gilt, aqua blues, tortoise & Capiz shell.

The interior/exterior "Coffee Kiss" wall paint was from the "Manor Hall Collection" by Pittsburgh Paints. The trim; Benjamin Moore Paints "White Dove."

This vintage ship painting and palm tree torchiere lamp are from Paris Hotel Boutique...

A vintage seascape oil painting from FrenchBlue & Co...

Marianne loves the 'Hollywood Regency' look and found this fabulous c. 1960's cabinet on eBay. Perfect for her So Cal 1960's house!

Marianne added some of her favorite accessories, including a pair of brass swans and a vintage blue glass vase. She plans on putting a large flat screen TV above it.

I adore this Mid Century sofa. Marianne loves the Moroccan look and this Regency piece makes a great statement! Simple, yet sleek!

A leopard rug adds a nice touch to the sisal; a fun 1960's brass rotating glass top coffee table; a pair of brass barrels function as stools or decorative accents...

The dining room has a glass top table with a fabulous vintage Asian gold leaf screen. A centerpiece of fun vintage brass accessories...

Marianne recently purchased these faux bamboo mirrors from Paris Hotel Boutique. Marianne loves them in this spot because they reflect the ocean view through the dining room windows. So exciting to see things I've sold in someone's home. Thanks Mare!

Another great find...a vintage glazed ceramic faux bamboo lantern...

This fireplace needs some TLC...

'BEFORE' photo of the kitchen. Since the project had to be designed, purchased and shipped long distance, everything was based on measurements and memory...

'AFTER' photo of the kitchen. All new cabinetry, counters, appliances and flooring...

I believe this was the refrigerator...

Aha! Now look how lovely!

'BEFORE' photo of the bedroom. Looks a bit dull, doesn't it?

'AFTER' photo of the bedroom. Sticking with Marianne's espresso theme... instead of playing it safe as many do, she adds a pair of vintage aqua lamps on top of a pair of black vintage style nightstands to give the room a pop of unexpected color.

A wonderful Mid Century Dorothy Draper chest and a Regency style chair...

LOVE these chairs!

'BEFORE' photo of the guest bedroom...my, it's a bit tired looking...

and 'AFTER'...some swanky palm leaf bedding with Art Deco furniture...

Marianne and Mike's home is still a work in progress. I think they have done a fabulous job in creating a comfortable beach home that reflects their taste and favorite objects. That's really what decorating is all about, isn't it?

Thanks Marianne and Mike for sharing your lovely home with all of us!

A sunset view from Marianne and Mike's coastside home...

Have a Sweet Weekend!

Today I discovered these yummy macaroons from Paulette in San Francisco (located in Beverly Hills too.) They carry a dozen flavors from lemon, caramel pecan, Colombian to Madagascar vanilla, Sicilian pistachio, and sweet wedding almond. And the packaging is so cute!

Paulette is an inspired collaboration between Paulette Koumetz, who has a passion for the celebrated Parisian macaron, and French pastry chef extraordinaire Christophe Michalak, winner of the 2005 Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie, with his passion for reinventing the classics.

Located at 437 Hayes St, San Francisco or order online here...

A long overdue thank you to...

the fabulous Courtney at Style Court...

...the talented Megan at Beach Bungalow,

...and the classy Judith at Paris Atelier...

for their kind posts about Paris Hotel Boutique. If you haven't checked out their blogs, be sure and add them to your reading list!

Thank you girls!

The Ed Hardy Collection

Antiques buyers from around the country are expected to attend the auction of antiquarian, Ed Hardy. Ed Hardy has been a fixture here in San Francisco since 1976. His studio is built like an Italian palazzo and is filled with the most outstanding and unique examples of period furniture and decorative arts from the 17th through 20th centuries.

Partly due to the declining economy, Hardy will closing his studio and auctioning off over 700 items through Bonhams & Butterfields on May 5th.

An Italian Restrato glass five light chandelier
circa 1950, in the manner of Barovier
estimate $4,000 - 6,000

This is so sad as Ed Hardy has been among one of the most respected dealers around the world. He still plans on consulting after giving up the studio.

Here are a few previews I've selected among the hundreds of items at auction. If you can't make it to San Francisco, you can bid online here. Also be sure and sift through the items on Bonham's website as well. Amazing things!

A pair of American terracotta lion form architectural elements
New York
last quarter 19th century
estimate - $3,000 - 5,000

A Burmese gilt lacquered seated Buddha
19th century
estimate - $2,000 - 3,000

A pair of French cast iron, brass and glass side tables
circa 1960, in the manner of Maison Jansen
estimate - $3,000 - 5,000

A superb French Baroque blue and white faience pharmacy vessel
Montpellier
early 18th century
estimate - $3,000 - 5,000

An Italian Rococo style green painted commodino
mid 20th century
estimate $1,500 - 2,000

A magnificent pair of Venetian tempietto tôle, clear, amber and cobalt glass lanterns on botticino marble bases
19th century
estimate - $70,000 - 90,000

A pair of Murano glass and giltwood lamps 1940s
estimate - $3,000 - $5,000

An American or English scrimshaw hourglass

Capt. John Reuter, 1817
estimate - $2,500 - $3,500

Photos from Bonhams & Butterfields

Feed Sack Chic

The May issue of Country Living features some great uses for feed sacks. I've sold "feed sack" chairs before and love the juxtiposition of the feed sack on a fancy French chair. Perhaps a bit uncomfortable, but has a unique look for sure!

Cute little pin cushion...

Corkboard made from a Guatemalan coffee sack!

Old French chair upholstered in a 1906 feed sack...

All photos courtesy of countryliving.com