Gone with the Wind
After three days of back breaking hard work and stress during set up and months of minutely detailed planning, opening day finally arrived. Carolina and I met at a very bright 7 am so we could get to the stand and do the final fluff. Oh what a splendid beginning it was to have been.
Thomas, Carolina and I had noticed during set up that it got a little breezy in the tent, notably the roof. However, we thought that the master minds of the show must have really done their homework on large tents, before they would dare expose their visitors and exhibitors to any irresponsible danger.
Humm, I think that we overestimated their prowess.
The day before all we heard about was this major storm that was to roll through. Well, did it roll and sur tout BLOW! The wind rattled the entire structure for several hours. It was absolutely terrifying.
It felt as if the tent was going to blow away. Finally the show closed the hall at 12:30 and still seven hours after they closed it, they were still in a meeting discussing what to do.
The video that I took shows the movement of the suspended flags in the hall. I have never taken a video on my camera before, so you may have to turn your head sideways to watch it.
Putting it Together
As an observer, I love the magic of shows, especially Maison et Objet, which in my opinion is the summit of chic. The marvel of viewing stand after beautiful stand, filled with so many desirable things creatively displayed is breath taking. The process of putting it together for a small company, is truly nothing short of a labor of love and passion. The din of saws sawing, hammers banging and fork lifts lifting can be a bit overwhelming, as can the severe lack of heat.
However, the show does a great job of editing who is accepted to show and it really is a wonderful privilege for a company of any size to be there.
In Paris no less, which not always the easiest of places to get things done.
Our dear little stand in the most wonderful location, on a corner across from the Paola Novano designed cafe! The Editeurs section of the show was put in a tent this year. Which was Arctic during set up, we have never been so frozen.
Carolina and Thomas measuring the walls for the placement of the fabrics. Thomas is a whiz at all things detailed. Carolina and I fall more into the editorial mindset, i.e. it's about the moment, not the construction. Very happily we had Thomas with us.
Yes, the process may not be pretty, but then again processes in themselves are really attractive. It's the end result that counts.
Well, we did have nice picnics.
This was such an exciting moment. I felt such pride of accomplishment seeing that sign.
At the last minute, we found out there was an aisle wall to do. So we proved the old expression, necessity is the mother of invention. I went to BHV and found these silhouette chairs and sconces and said mais oui! I love that we are playing with scale and perspective in a totally surreal and playful way.
Bonjour Paris!
Bonjour! Paris is wonderful! So happy to be back speaking French, seeing all my friends and visiting my favorite places.
The Ethernet in the apartment was a huge problem. But the cafe across the street has WiFi, so now it’s a snap.
When I arrived Wednesday morning the first thing I did after dropping my bags was to race to Le Flore en Ile for hot chocolate. Always a dream and with the view from the Ile St.Louis across to Notre Dame I couldn’t have wanted more.
The view from the terrace.
From there, I went to my favorite garden store, Vilmorin. It is one of the oldest in France and has a wonderful selection of seeds and products. I spent hours reading the seed packets and dreaming.
After that I was off to lunch. I ran across one of the most surreal stores I have ever seen. The window display is like a car wreck. I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. I had a bottle of water instead of lunch.
The Ethernet in the apartment was a huge problem. But the cafe across the street has WiFi, so now it’s a snap.
When I arrived Wednesday morning the first thing I did after dropping my bags was to race to Le Flore en Ile for hot chocolate. Always a dream and with the view from the Ile St.Louis across to Notre Dame I couldn’t have wanted more.
My steaming cup of hot chocolate.
The view from the terrace.
After that I was off to lunch. I ran across one of the most surreal stores I have ever seen. The window display is like a car wreck. I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. I had a bottle of water instead of lunch.
Friday
Friday, I had the pleasure of spending the day with Carolina. We ran around Paris, tying up the details that can only be addressed in Paris. We choose the flowers and the finishing touches for the stand. Then, since we were in France we did as the French. We had a three hour lunch at Café Bonaparte across from the Eglise St Germain des Pres. C’est normal, en fin bon.Carolina in the curtain department.
I am Off
Bags packed, ticket in hand – I am off to Paris today. Hopefully, luck will be on my side and I will be able to blog the process of the show and the trip while I am there. The apartment that we are renting has Ethernet for internet. What’s that? Guess it will be an adventure!
Maison et Objet
I am feverishly preparing for the prestigious Maison et Objet editeurs home show in Paris. It seems like just yesterday that I was doing it for the first time. Where did the year go?
This year is very exciting because the very talented Carolina Irving will be sharing the stand with me. It has been a fantastic treat to work with Carolina. We will both be showing several beautiful new designs in addition to our current collections.
If you happen to be at Maison et Objet, January 23rd to the 27th please stop by. Our stand number is B3 in Hall 5C.
This year is very exciting because the very talented Carolina Irving will be sharing the stand with me. It has been a fantastic treat to work with Carolina. We will both be showing several beautiful new designs in addition to our current collections.
If you happen to be at Maison et Objet, January 23rd to the 27th please stop by. Our stand number is B3 in Hall 5C.
Australian Press
Women's Weekly, a magazine from Australia, recently featured Aerin Lauder's Hampton's House. The house is, of course, exquisitely done with great style. It was also thrilling for me to see the shot of her bedroom with my Gramercy Chocolate fabric on the walls included in the story.
Spring has Sprung
There still may be much snow on the ground here, but in my gardeners mind it has been Spring since the first catalog arrived in mid December. I have already spent way too many hours with graphpaper and pencils in one hand and catalogs in the other. 
My small garden attempts to be a four season garden. With proper planning, I have found that even in the rigorous winter weather of the Northeast there is always a selection of produce to be harvested. I plant a spectrum of seasonal varieties, the tenderest spring lettuces to the most winter hardy leeks, brussel sprouts and maches, along with herbs, flowers, and various fruit trees and plants that will produce over a full year.
This year I am mad for Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. My order goes on for over a page, I was very influenced by the scope of varieties, the descriptions and the beautiful photography. Harris Seed is my choice for garden suppiles and products. Turtle Tree Seed is a local organic seed company that is one of the few to offer nettle seeds. More on the importance of nettles this summer.
This year I am mad for Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. My order goes on for over a page, I was very influenced by the scope of varieties, the descriptions and the beautiful photography. Harris Seed is my choice for garden suppiles and products. Turtle Tree Seed is a local organic seed company that is one of the few to offer nettle seeds. More on the importance of nettles this summer.
An edited selection of some of my favorite sources.
A Good Time was had by All
New Years Eve was a riot. Our guests were beyond fun. Here are a few pictures of the festive evening.
Setting the table is one of my favorite things to do. A well thought out design idea sets the tone for the evening. This year I chose white and green as the color theme, both colors bringing to mind a fresh start for the New Year.
The mirrored obelisks represent the infinity of possiblites for the year ahead. The silver is family, the glassware, placecard holders and little pea knife rests are things that I have fallen in love with. They have also found their way into my shop.
The crazy boys- Eddie and Jaithan you should see some of the pictures that didn't make the post.
Thomas models his 2009 New Years Eve hat creation. Every year he creates hats with different themes for our guests.
My dear friend Vicki who has never changed all the time I have known her.
New Year's Harvest
For New Years eve, we decided to invite three friends up from the city. Eddie Ross, whom I've known since his House Beautiful days, and his partner Jaithan Kochar and my long time friend Vicki Arzano.
I had decided on the menu weeks ago. To start, a spinach soup that I love. The receipe I learned at one of the cooking classes that I've taken at the Ecole Ritz Escoffier in Paris. The main course was roasted Cornish Game Hens stuffed with red currants, white raisins and wild rice, glazed carrots, sauted mushrooms and home grown leeks. Dessert was a simple chocolate mousse with almond and orange tuiles.
One of my greatest pleasures is sharing the bounty of my garden with friends all year long. It is somewhat harder to do in the lean months of winter. But the menu set as it was the leeks needed to be picked.
The garden under cover.
The snowy leeks.
The future braised leeks.
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