The new exhibition “Au fil du Siècle” at Manufacture des Gobelins is devoted to chefs d’oeuvres of the 20 th century and it is a firework of colors and political themes. Conceived in four months and inaugurated by Brigitte Macron and Stéphane Bern, it comprises the best pieces of tapestries owned by the Mobilier National. Furniture and carpets, from 1918 … Read More
Alvar Aalto so inspiring at Cité de l’architecture!
We all know Finnish designer and architect Alvar Aalto‘s emblematic Savoy vase and wooden stools but at Cité de l’architecture‘s retrospective, we learn more about him, his many churches and office buildings, and we discover his own house and offices. It is a beautiful show under the brick arcades of the museum at Trocadero. And since Aalto was mostly preoccupied … Read More
Valérie Maltaverne creates magic with design
When you walk into Valérie Maltaverne’s showroom in the Batignolles area, you immediately know that you are entering a special world. That of perfect materials and craft. When she founded her company Ymer&Malta, she knew she wanted to create products with industrial designers and artisans. Nine years later, she partners with Tapisseries d’Aubusson on a few contemporary tapestries used with … Read More
Tokyo-Paris a long lasting love and a year of celebrations!
When Richard Flahaut introduced pianist Gen Tomuro in the salons of France Amérique, he talked about the great understanding of music that the Japanese and the French share. And this young man who studied with Philippe Entremont and is finishing a masters in London, is proof of it. His program of Granados, Schumann, Poulenc and Stravinsky was absolutely delightful and his … Read More
Magical Genoa in 36 hours
The occasion was the wedding reception for Serena Cattaneo Adorno with Thomas Repelski and I would not have missed this long coveted visit to Genoa for anything! On the 75 mn flight from Paris, guests to the wedding conversed with Cecilia (formerly) Sarkozy, who was visiting the shipyards with her husband Richard Attias and young art collectors who wanted to … Read More
“Intelligence of the Hand” awards, by Fondation Bettencourt Schueller
It was the first time the Prix Liliane Bettencourt was awarded since the l’Oréal heiress disappeared a few weeks ago and her daughter, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers spoke courageously of the beauty of handmade technics and of the love her mother had for artisanal talents. The ceremony took place at salle Wagram and its 100 th Prize was awarded after 18 … Read More
Transatlantic travels at the Peabody Essex museum in Salem
My first visit, when I am in Marblehead in the summer, is always to the Peabody Essex Museum, in Salem, Ma. Founded in 1799 by sea captains who wanted to preserve their discoveries from Cape Horn and other exotic Asian and African countries, it was enriched by local merchants and moved into its own building in 1825. George Peabody, one … Read More
An Ali Baba cave on boulevard Haussmann
When Compagnie Française de l’Orient et de la Chine closed down a few years ago, most Parisians were upset. It was the best place to find relatively cheap Chinese salad bowls and confortable silk outfits for Christmas. And their shop on bd Haussmann was superb ! Well it still is under knew ownership, and I found some great bargains in the … Read More