The softer side of Versailles

Not every room at Versailles is gilding, glitz and glamour (the 3 G's). A set of rooms on the first floor enfilade feature some very pretty boiseries with colorful details. I think they're the prettiest rooms in the palace and are a very cozy size of approx 15' square.The chamber adjacent is painted all white, I doubt this is original but...

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Now on your Kindle!

Do you have a kindle? I have yet to get one but have heard glowing reviews from everyone who has one (it was even talked about on the skirted round table!). The benefits of space & environmental savings are obvious. Well, now blogs are available for subscription on the kindle and I've uploaded ArchitectDesign! It appears on the kindle...

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Love Locks

The Pont des Artes or 'art bridge' (also known as the Passerelle), a pedestrian bridge which links the Louvre to the Institut de France, has become somewhat of an icon for couples in love in Paris.Newly engaged couples attach a lock to the chain link sides of the 1802 cast iron bridge with their name engraved on it and drop the key into the...

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Crazy Gondola Bed

This cold and rainy night here in DC has me thinking cozy thoughts. This crazy oval bed in the Louvre would be just the spot for a cup of tea and a good book. I wonder what sort of room it was originally in: courtesan's bedroom perhaps? The wallpaper panels in the background aren't too shabby either! Love the collection of French blue opaline...

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Marie Antoinette at Versailles

One of the most popular rooms at Versailles is the queen's bedroom, most famous for its' last queenly occupent, Marie Antoinette. Her bust is seen on the mantlepiece.Meant to impress, the room is also very personal and displays her love of everything floral.The beautiful tapestried walls hide a jib or hidden door that leads to her private...

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Weekend treats

This weekend I've treated myself to a cake from my favorite DC bakery, Furins.Chocolate cake with kahlua butter cream frosting and raspberrys -yum!!Of course 1/2 of the taste is in the presentation! So my favorite wedgwood cuckoo pattern was used along with a royal doulton cake platter, wedgwood cobalt jasperware cream & sugar and limoge...

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Chinoiserie at the Louvre

One of the MUSTS for me in Paris was to visit the galleries of the Musee des Arts Decoratifs at the Louvre. It did not disappoint with an emormous collection, each piece more amazing than the last. The museum fills an enormous wing of the Louvre with one collection (by period) per floor. I was most excited to visit the collection of 18th...

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Institut de France

All this talk lately of new words being added to the English Dictionary (the verb unfriend via facebook?) reminded me of the Academie Francaise which has been in charge of the official French dictionary since being founded by Cardinal Richelieu in 1635. The 5 acadamies of the Institut de France (of which the Academie Francaise is the most...

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John Derian's "stuff"

In the December 2009 issue of Vanity Fair (which smells really good this month, or am I crazy? Like the entire magazine is one big perfume ad), John Derian weighs in on his 'stuff' in the monthly column. I wrote about a visit I paid his beautiful store in Provincetown, Massachusetts HERE.Above is the decoupoge dish I purchased and holds...

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