Bring a Little Paris Into Your Home
Aren’t we all absolutely in love with Springtime in Paris?
Yes, especially in April when our hearts and minds leap to thoughts of travel, love, dining out of doors and making plans to refresh our gardens, homes, wardrobes and lives?? How blessed are those who are born in this charming, optimistic, happy season of rebirth!!
What is your heart’s desire this April…a little Paris brought to life??
We can enjoy Parisian charms no matter where we live in the world! Her beauty is everywhere! The City of Lights brings images of architectural beauty, charming florists, fragrant scents – colorful spices, teas and fleurs, and cuisine, of course! Volumes have been written to include her food, recipes, poems, tales, history and art!
Bring a Little Paris Into Your Home
1. French Cuisine
We can entertain, dress and travel with Parisian flair and scent in our homes, gardens and transport our spirits, if not our physical beings!
Paris is always with us somehow!!
French cuisine is beloved throughout the world. Many of our most celebrated chefs and creative patisseries and restaurants are French or have been schooled by them!
Think Julia Child, Paul Bocuse, Daniel Boulud, Alain Ducasse, Auguste Escoffier, Pierre Hermé, Jacques Pépin, Joël Robuchon and Jacques Torres. Can we possibly perceive culinary culture in 2022 without the classics and innovation provided by Balthazar, Benoit, Café de Flore, Le Grande Colbert?
Luscious soufflés, smoked salmon, foie gras, flaky almond croissants, desserts of berries, crème, and delectable chocolats define our collective memories of gourmand.
Enjoy coupes or flutes of chilled Champagne at a sidewalk cafe, delectable quiche Lorraine with a crisp Sancerre in the Garden, delicate pastel macarons from Laduree, warm pain au chocolat, almond butter croissants and café au lait in steaming breakfast cups or hot chocolat at Angelina as on rue de rivoli! We are there instantly!
2. Parisian Influences
Are you revisiting memories thru favorite photographs, collections of art and objets culled over time from vacations, business jaunts or gifts?
Maybe from collections of Hermes scarves and dinnerware, Charvet silks, Hediard and Mariage Freres teas, coffees gourmet treats and tins!
Conjuring highlights from travels is so pleasurable…reliving life and times brings them to back again and again!
It seems we all have been inspired by French and Parisian tastes of all kinds: art, couture, design, food, wine, love, music, and film!
Whose life hasn’t been enriched by the art of Degas, Monet, Renoir, Rodin, Toulouse-Lautrec ~ the designs of Chanel, Christian Dior, Hubert Givenchy, Yves St. Laurent and Louis Vuitton, or the style, fantasy and talents of Catherine Deneuve, Brigitte Bardot, Jeanne Moreau, Yves Montand, and Francois Truffaut?
Would the world of fragrance possibly be the same for men or women without France? Chanel No. 5 remains the world's most famous perfume - created in 1921!!
3. Parisian Architecture
Of course, we love our Paris with her Arc de Triomphe, Centre Pompidou, Place de la Concorde, Cathedral de Notre-Dame, Jardin des Tuileries and Luxembourg and bien sur, la tour Eiffel!
The Louvre was originally constructed to protect Paris in the 12th century and then served as royal residence to Louis XIV. Today, it is the most visited museum in the world!!
Bernardaud, the fine French Limoges porcelain house has created a classic white dinnerware inspired with architectural motifs on each piece.
Tres chic – beauty and function, to be dressed up or down!
Bernardaud Louvre Dinnerware Collection (Bloomingdale's) | Jars Tourron Traditional Dinnerware (Bloomingdale's) | Bernardaud Tout Paris Dinner Plate (Bloomingdale's)
Interior and industrial designers continue to be inspired by the glorious architectural details of Paris’ serene beauty for modern and eclectic designs alike.
Art nouveau, Beaux Art and Deco periods continually appear and are referenced in passementerie, textiles and home design. Many from intricate Toiles or Provencal prints are now translated to sophisticated modern designs.
Baccarat Chateau Barware Collection | (Bloomingdale's)
Until next week, enjoy your artistic treasures and remembrances of Paris…with une verre de Baccarat et crisp Sancerre!! xoxo MMK
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, was Fridays with Oscar. Beth featured a comfortable pair of boyfriend jeans and sweater. Click the title or image below to read the article.
I hope to go to Paris or Italy someday. The pandemic has interfered with my plans!
But one of my favorite places to travel to is Santa Fe ,NM. Not only fabulous Spanish influenced food but French too! One of favorites restaurants is a cafe called Clafoutis ( it is the name of a pastry in French)
Anyway, two French women own it and they sell hundreds of fabulous pastries daily! And one of their specialities is a bacon green chile quiche. It was not spicy- just a little flavor! Best quiche ever! And I love any quiche. Also their crossaints and butter are divine.
Hi Marcia –
Hi Marcia! Thrilled that you enjoyed my little Paris post…seems your NM quiche and French owners take you to Paris in another way! Yes, inspiration from France and Paris is everywhere!!
I have been fortunate to have been there many times, yet have only been to Sant a Fe thru the works of Georgia O’Keeffe! Enjoy your memories a a beautiful April!! xoxo MMK PS…my baby sister is Marcia too!
Gorgeous post! You had me at chocolates and toile!
Hi Kim!! Too cute of you!! Seems movies inspire you as well!! Happy April…so pleased you enjoyed the post! xoxo MMK
Absolutely lovely post! Since a very young child, all things French have intrigued me. Now am old, yet the intrigue is as fresh as ever. Thank you for every detail offered today, Marlene 💐
Hi Sylvia,
Delighted to learn of your joy of “All things French” as well! Thankfully, such love of a lifetime…knows no age!! France is a continual inspiration….thank you for sharing such passion. xoxo MMK
Your readers should check out Chateau Diaries and many other chateau YouTube vloggers if they love the French culture . So much fun to be had.
Hi Donna – Many thanks for your suggestion!!
xoxo MMK
I love this article. I love French everything. I would love to go to France and see for myself the
beauty that you see in pictures. I have bought the tea, and I have a cup every day. I love it. I just pretend I’m sitting outside at a small café drinking it. You can always dream.
Thanks
Pam
Hi Pam ~
Dreaming is always a good idea!! Please continue to enjoy all things French!! There is sooo much to love! Happy Spring ~ Happy April!! Merci! Merci!!
xoxo MMK
All that … and thank you for including Chanel, Marlene!
Hi Carolina Girl!
France and her design would not be without the fabulous contribution of Chanel….
We certainly treasure her and all that now continues her legacy into 2022!!
xoxo Merci!! MMK