Paris - P. Legrand Confiserie

If one is lucky enough to have a sister living in Paris, whose amour happens to own a vineyard, then you will sample his wine with beautiful cheese and charcuterie at P. Legrand at 1 Rue de la Banque.

We enjoyed a bottle of Arboises from Romain's winery Domaine Guiberteau in Saumur, Loire Valley.

The original decor is beautiful. They offer a vast selection of wine and spirits along with traditional sweets such as poppies, barley sugar, Montargis pralines, hazelnut Barbizon arlequines and Perigord black nougat.

Love the encaustic floor tile in cream, blue and green.

Versailles - doors

Formula for grand entrance: Black and Carrara marble floor set on diagonal, doric columns with a classic architrave topped with harp and putti in limestone ... add panelled doors with gilded sun king motif.

Have you ever seen a taller set of terrace doors? Note the parquet panels. Loving the French grey with the sandstone and brick.

Paneled interior shutter in pale blue grey with mouldings picked out in cream. Tapestry trimmed silk drapes.

Panels picked out in grey green.

Versailles - furniture

Some of the most beautiful examples of French furniture can be found in the Versailles apartments. 

This incredible bench with sun king motif tapestry in crimson, gold and green. The gilded frame with harp stretchers makes this piece fit for a king ... I could see this at the end of a client's bed.

We'll take one of these too please.

This incredible tapestry screen and elegant aubusson rug could easily fit into a master suite today.

Care for a nap?

No need for a sofa when one has such a lovely grouping of Louis chairs... and that blue green silk... incredible.

This gilded framed settee is ready for guests and tea.

Versailles - frescoes and paintings

Perhaps the best example of 17th century French art with its magnificent frescoes and paintings. Some of the most beautiful works are in Les Grands Appartements du Roi (the King’s Great Apartments).

Battles scenes abound.

Mercury... the sun god

Beautiful allegories... is this Summer?

Louis as Mercury.

Colin, Romain and Sarah take in the portrait gallery. 

Versailles - chandeliers

Within the Palace is the The Hall of Mirrors, a symmetrical space with 17 arches containing mirrored doors that open to the adjoining room. The outer wall has 17 arches and French windows that open to the garden. Luxurious crystal chandeliers hang from gold tassels. One can imagine Louis and his court enjoying luxurious dance parties. The Versailles treaty was signed in this hall in 1919.

Love the lavender crystals in this piece

Another room another crystal chandelier.

Versailles - gilded arrival

When one arrives at Versailles your struck by the gilded gates. 

Created for the Sun King the the warm metal is fitting.

Everything gilded even the rooftops. Like a jewel box... can't wait to see what's inside.

Louis IV himself... lovely cameo in a gilded frame

The window hardware... again gold.

Love these gates with the sun motif.

Off to France

Tomorrow we leave for France.
First a trip to Versailles... the Hall of Mirrors, the Battles Gallery, the King's Grand Apartment. Will it turn my British bones that drive my aesthetic to love all things French? We'll see.

Hall of Mirrors

Louis XIV

Marie Antoinette

On Friday we will be attending the largest international home-fashion show... Mason et Objet.

Sunday, we will have a guided tour through the Antique Markets... sourcing one-of-a-kind pieces for our clients.

Stay tuned.