I just adore this list of tips by the fabulous Ines de la Fressange featured in the April issue of Lonny! I don't often write about clothing however, Ines' utterly chic style expands beyond fashion to interiors (just see her at home below!) Her fashion tips, such as: combining the high and low, pairing the fancy and the casual, and layering textures; are so applicable to home decor as well! A must add to my file of style inspiration!

Ines you are my style icon!

{All images via Lonny}

Paris in the Snow . . .

I am back in Singapore, but I can honestly say I am still glowing from our 2 months spent living in France - its just so picturesque! In December, we got stuck in a terrible snowstorm when leaving Paris. The 1 hour drive back to our town of Fontainebleau took 6 hours - but I snapped some photos along the way. It was almost worth the traffic . . . the large box of Laduree macaroons we had the car did not hurt either. Ah, Paris! 

A Domain! Until Tomorrow! 

The Power of Red

Yes, even though his shoes are drastically out of my price range - I still love Louboutin shoes. After a recent visit to his first store front in Paris, I am even more drawn to those red glossy soles! A chic style and marketing move, the pop of bright red sets each pair of his shoes apart, making even the most simple style special. There is just something so energetic and fearless about the color - I was inspired to find interiors which boldly featured scarlet red! Just in time for the holidays!  (above: Benjamin Moore's Redstone - a beautiful vibrant red!)

A living room by designer Miles Redd, showcasing red upholstery and red felt covered walls! Featured in Elle Decor.

A 15" cherry lacquered side table by Pacific Lacquer - the glossy finish really ups the ante!

A lively powder room in Napa California by designer Martha Angus - even the moldings are red, making the small space feel larger.

Designer Eldon Wong chose this lovely red for the interior of a built in china cupboard in an 18th century stone house. I love the contrast against the white china! 

A selection of striking red glassware from Elle Decor - how perfect for the holidays! 

Designer Ruthie Sommers found this great fretwork chair at a thrift store and gave it a new life with a coat of Benjamin Moore Relay Red and a new updated floral seat. 

A shot of the Christian Louboutin store in Paris, with but of course a beautiful red lacquered floor! 


This holiday season even if you are not receiving any Louboutins as presents - you can still enjoy the vibrancy and happy energy of his bright red! 

I Heart Flamant Home Interiors

On a recent afternoon wandering in Paris, I had the pleasure of discovering the beautiful home store Flamant. The window displays had an instant appeal - a chic mixture of rustic, vintage charm and polished details. The company was began in Brussels by three brothers and today boasts shops in England, Germany, France, Holland and even Japan and Russia. While the size of the company could easily make for an uninspired collection - this is far from true! I was especially taken with how nothing in the shop looked brand new - each piece had a lovingly worn and vintage element. To me, this along with Flamant's great color sensibility creates a winning home store! They even have developed their own custom paint palette in a range of beautifully dusty tones. Definitely a shop worth visiting (online, if not in person)! A beautiful reminder that retail does not have to equal cookie-cutter. . . Enjoy! 

Bon Week-End! 

www.flamant.com

Parisian D&D

As you may know, for an interior designer in New York, the Design and Decoration Building (better known as the D&D) is a home away from home. It's 17 floors of fabric, lighting, and furniture showrooms and an amazing resource. I always loved going and searching for that perfect fabric or wall paper but then I saw the Parisian version of the D&D and I know it will never be the same for me! In Paris, instead of a 1960s style skyscraper, the many familiar showrooms line a beautiful small street accented with large trees and delicate ironwork balconies in the fashionable area of Saint Germain. Ahh, I think everything really is better in France. Well, I still will love the Third Avenue NYC design center but I so enjoyed experiencing its French cousin! 

What's even better is that Rue de Furstemberg is a short walk from Laduree, the famous Parisian bakery. I can just imagine myself pouring over fabric samples and tear sheets with their incredible macaroons and tea! 

Yum . . . Laduree Paris

One of the best things about Paris just has to be Laduree. The famous French bakery and patisserie was founded in 1862 by Louis-Ernest Laduree and has been a Parisian obsession every since. Like many things Parisian, Laduree is just so beautiful and chic! After a visit here a few weeks ago I have been dreaming of the their signature minty green (in addition of course to their amazing macaroon!)

The colors of these amazing macaroon are enough to make your mouth water! I love the rich raspberry ones! What about a room in tones of macaroon . . . hmmm!

We visited the St. Germain branch and I loved every minute in this fabulous Chinoiserie dining room. Tea and macaroon with two of my closest friends was the perfect afternoon! 

I love their packaging - so classic and stylish. I think the Laduree soft green might even trump Tiffany blue.

Even the Laduree delivery trucks are chic! 

The Laduree china is in the same beautiful tones, I found this china by Anna Weatherly at Bloomingdales.com. Perfect for your own afternoon tea! 

I love how the pistachio flavor is just the perfect Laudree green! I cant wait to go back very, very soon! 

www.laduree.fr

Paris Versus New York

La Facade

I recently had the luck to stumble upon a charming blog titled Paris versus New York. Since the blog does just that – compare and contrast the two great cities, it was of special interest me! Vahram Muratyan, a Paris based graphic artist, provides witty and visually pleasing illustrations – self described as “A visual but friendly match between those two cities seen by a lover of Paris wandering through New York's infinite details, clichés and contradictions: this way, please. . .”  I love the graphics but also the amiable sense of humor of each one!

Le Journal

La Romantique

La Nature

Le Styliste

L'Obsession

La Creature

Le Cafe

Each post is also available as an art print  for purchase so you can continue to enjoy them!  I might just have to order one or two ( I cant decide which is my favorite!) . . .

http://parisvsnyc.blogspot.com