Tag Archives: paris

Fully furnished apartment, uninhabited since 1942, discovered in Paris


Time stood still in this remarkable place. An apartment, left by its owner fleeing for the Germans in 1942, wasn’t rediscovered until 2010. The magnificent large apartment belonged to Madame Florian, who never returned to her home after the war. She died in 2010. Bailiffs and those in charge of her estate found documents showing she rented an apartment in a desirable part of Paris. When entering, they stumbled upon a treasure trove of turn-of-the Century antiques and memorabilia including a painting by 19th century Italian artist Giovanni Boldini. Madame Florian paid her rent every month.

 

The Rotting Rothschild Mansion in Paris


The Rothschild family is one of the richest families in the world. They are so rich, that if they decide to close their Swiss accounts, Switzerland would be plunged into a recession. I don’t know this for a fact obviously, but I love quoting Absolutely Fabulous.

The family apparently has enough wealth to leave a home in a prime Paris location rot away. Just 5 miles from the famous Notre Dame, in the Edmond de Rotschild park, is the Chateau Rotschild. Or what once was the chateau. Shrubbery, graffiti and decay have taken over long since.

 

Chateau Rotschild in decay in Paris

Source: Messynessychic.com

 

Christian Lacroix sells his Paris apartment


Look at these wonderful shots of Fashion Designer Lacroix’s wonderful Paris apartment…
Obviously, the decor is stunning. Understated, charming, eclectic and a tad bohemian; I love it.

Great taste Mr Lacroix!

Great taste Mr Lacroix!

The apartment, or actually more or less house, is located in the very plush (and shamelessly gay) Marais district of the French Capital. Whoever is able to dish up the surprisingly modest €2,000,000 will be rubbing elbows with supermodels, photgraphers, designers and thespians from the world over. Also, the Marais has a huge Gay population making this the obvious choice for Mr Lacroix to buy back when.

With approximately 200m2 (2250 square feet) the apartment is not huge for such a high profile figure.
It also looks quite modest, yet so incredibly tasteful it hurts. It is making me just a bit jealous to be honest. It has a patio where we don’t even have a balcony .

Outside and view from sitting room towards patio

Outside and view from sitting room towards patio

The apartment is part of a late-17th-century building near the historic Place des Vosges and the Picasso Museum. It has an upper floor with sitting room, kitchen and general living areas designed around a small patio of roughly 18m2 (200 square feet) and a lower floor with four bedrooms and bathrooms.

There’s also a mezzanine room now used as a library. The ceilings of the living floor are 13 feet high which allows for a very roomy and dramatic ambience. Throughout the place one can find many classic original details, including gilded moldings in the master bedrooms and French doors. The bathrooms and kitchen have been recently renovated. Mr. Lacroix has moved to another apartment just a few steps away in the same fabulous Marais district.

Astier de Villatte; marvelous porcelain from Paris


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Paris based ceramists Astier de Villatte makes handcrafted porcelain that looks like it walked out of a 17th century picture book. Their products range from simple big dinner plates to eg cups to coffee mugs and teacups with rich ornaments and patterns. Their shop in Paris, on the rue Saint-Honore is decorated in dark brown woods to maximise the contrast with the milky white porcelain.

In 1996 siblings Mathilde and Alexandre Carron mastered a special technique their artist father had taught them. With this they could create delicate looking milky glazed porcelain and earthenware. Since then, they secured themselves a well deserved spot on the ‘what’s hot’  list of design loving and stylish people all over the world. Though most of their products are white, no two plates, bowls, cups or mugs are exactly the same.Their brand branched out fast with many shops-in-shops and flag ship shops opening up. Further to porcelain and ceramics they added to furniture, table ware and cutlery to their range of products. And like any self respecting lifestyle brand they launched a fragance line consisting of colognes, perfumes, scented candles and soaps.

all images courtesy of Astier de Villatte / www.astierdevillatte.com

all images courtesy of Astier de Villatte / http://www.astierdevillatte.com

Their website is a small treat which reflects the brand in a fun a quirky way. Check it here

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