The 2017 trend forecasts have been announced, and if what the prognosticators are saying comes true, we have French food and a return to elegant entertaining in store for us over the next year. (Down with the Mason jar, and up with the Baccarat!) But will this renewed appreciation for refinement find its way into the world of decorating? Will fine fabrics, shapely antique chairs, traditional wallpapers, sophisticated paint schemes, porcelain birds perched on gilded brackets, and dining tables appointed with linen cloths and silver candelabra- all seen here in fine form, courtesy of a sophisticated gentleman's Paris home- once again find favor with a larger audience? It might be a stretch, but it's certainly a nice thought to ponder.
All photos from A Home in Paris by Catherine Synave, Guillaume de Laubier photographer
This is heartening news! We have renovated some 17th century apartments in Carcassonne, France, with the decor leaning toward elegance and antiques. It just seems appropriate for such grand, palatial spaces. I'm tired of seeing the same acrylic ghost chairs, Beni Ourain rugs and Jonathan Adler tchotchkes. With antiques, you don't have the same stuff as everybody else. We still need to add art, but it will be done piece by piece, not just walking into a print shop or ordering online.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more. Individuality and personality are refreshing traits for a home these days. Your renovated apartments in Carcassonne sound lovely.
DeleteExcellent news! I made the turn after coming back from a trip to Paris six years ago. I took one look at my apartment and knew that it needed a makeover. Your book, Jennifer, played a big role in that. We now have a lovely space filled with our own family heirlooms as well as treasures pick up in Paris, Tokyo's Meguro Dori, and Denver's antique row.
ReplyDeleteI'm very flattered that my book played in a role in your apartment makeover. I'm in the process of making some changes to my apartment, and I'm looking forward to adding pieces that both reflect my interests and my personality, while, of course, keeping family pieces.
DeleteYour home sounds divine!
Love this home. I could move right in and not change a thing.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
DeleteFrom your lips to God's ear. I am so tired of the same look in shelter publications and the overuse of mid-century, often in the most inappropriate spaces. On a related note, so many wonderful antiques dealers have been driven out of business due to this rush to the lowbrow. With the loss of these venues and the knowledgeable staffs, the brain drain has been dreadful.
ReplyDeleteI was recently going through some shelter magazines from about 10 years ago, and I was saddened to see advertisements from antiques dealers and fabric companies that have since gone out of business. Sad, sad, sad.
DeleteThis is a beautiful space. Even here in Los Angeles I'm seeing a move towards a more refined aesthetic (at least that is what my sold items are indicating). I hope it amps up to become more than a trend. I love your book, as well. xoxo Mary
ReplyDeleteMary, I'm even more encouraged after reading your comment. Yes, let's hope this grows into something bigger. :)
DeleteJust gorgeous! I had a similar wallpaper border (B&F) 32 years ago - loved it. I still set an elegant table when I entertain. We all need a bit of elegance in our lives. Its a shame that so many of the young equate an elegant table with "stuffy". There's no such thing as an stuffy table, just stuffy people! Of course to some, "stuffy" means they actually took a shower before coming, washed their hair and put on clean clothes and no baseball caps at the table! If that's the case, bring on stuffy! I'm sick to death of spending $100 on a meal for just me (no booze) only to sit next to someone whose standard of hygiene would have gotten him sent home by the school nurse when I was in grade school back in the Stone Age!
ReplyDeleteAnd let's please banish flip-flops from all public places except for swimming pools.
DeleteAGREED!
DeleteAgreed!!! LK
DeleteFinally!! Let's hope new home builders get this message and start designing homes/apartments with real rooms. I am way over the huge great rooms with the "must have breakfast bar!!!" What on earth ever happened to the kitchen table or breakfast room? And yes, I do use my formal dining room regularly and not just on holidays. Thank you for the great post Jennifer, I could move right into these rooms. LK
ReplyDeleteLK, Like you, I can't imagine not having a dining room in my home.
DeleteYes, please. Back to civilisation (and civility). Hudson, New York, where I live, used to be lined with antique shops, but hardly any survive. I don't consider mid-century antique at all. That's the stuff we threw out! Thank goodness I kept my shelter magazines from days gone by. They are like oxygen to me. And I didn't spend a lifetime acquiring fine things to keep them locked up. I use and enjoy them. I also love your book, and felt very smugly about everything when I had read it and realized that I had already followed everything in it. It's what civilized people do :-)
ReplyDeleteCynthia, I'm sad to hear that the fabled antiques shops of Hudson are decreasing in numbers. What is the world coming to?
DeleteRoyal Street in New Orleans has taken a heavy hit as well. Some venerable shops are just gone, while others have poor inventory due to lack of funds and interest by the buying public. The only up side is that, for those who are knowledgeable and love fine antiques, it is a buyers market. I acquired a handsome pair of Louis XV fauteuils a la reine, recently re-upholstered in sage green leather and nailheads, and an Imperial Yellow porcelain baluster vase st startling, really eye-poppingly low, prices.
DeleteCynthia, I couldn't agree with you more when you wrote, "that's the stuff we threw out!" I was in Palm Springs recently and I think it is the mid-century capital of the world (no offense to anyone who lives in PS, it is a fun little town)! Ugh!! LK
DeleteThank you for your take on trends. I hope you're right because the all-white/ivory monochrome look has become too ubiquitous and predictable.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing a home in Charleston that is veering toward antiques and layers of lovely possessions. I was also motivated to buy the book with above photos!!
I think you'll enjoy the book. It contains an eclectic mix of homes, but not surprisingly, I favor the traditional-looking ones.
DeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteLove the "petit bourgeoise" mood of these small rooms- Oh Yes, my dream is to build, on spec, a magnificent "hotel particulier" here in Naples, and it would be completely decorated in an 18thc palace style, with Louis signed pieces mixed with New York reproductions, and gardens after those one would see in France, i.e; very FORMAL ! Encore du Scalamandre' sil vous plais! Pierre Frey all the way!
A lovely dream! I hope you make it a reality soon. :)
DeleteA man after my own heart. I hope your dream comes true soon - and then you can invite us! ;-)
DeleteGreat.
ReplyDeleteWhew! Somebody finally said it! Thank you. I was afraid that I was a voice crying in the wilderness looking for a real dining room and a kitchen that wasn't open to all of the world.
ReplyDeleteOh, and nice fabrics.
Pookha, I recently did a gut renovation of my galley kitchen, and I kept it a closed kitchen rather than opening it up to the dining room. I still prefer a closed kitchen to an open one.
DeleteGood for you Jennifer, I sometimes feel like I am in the dark ages because my house is more formal, but eclectic from my travels. However just about everyone who visits tells me it is very welcoming and comfortable (I think it is because I use my things everyday, and do not use them only for the holidays). Thank you again for the great post! LK
Delete