In love with a set of doors...

 

So like I said - I fell in love with all of the doors at Versailles..  however, I think that these were my favorites.. 

They were the perfect color and simple and understated...

the stone surrounding them was perfection- 

LOVED them...

Is it weird to love a set of doors?  

So what are your plans for the weekend?  

I think some work and relaxation here with the holiday and all!

Yes that is me in the bottom photo there..  don't get used to seeing me.. it is fairly rare that I am in any photos, as I am usually holding the camera.

images by christina for greige

French Home in Tourain

It's off to France today my friends. Located in Tourain, this home belongs to Virginia and Jean-Marc who roam garage sales and flea markets in search of furniture and ornaments in the Gustavian style they love. Jean-Marc restores their treasures and then Virginia gives them the final patina.






















Photography by Germaine Suignard
All images from here.

Versailles in detail...

 

These are just a few of the images from our visit to Versailles.  It was amazing the amount of detail

that went into each room.  The doors were my all time favorite and the hardware was beautiful!

If you are traveling to Paris I highly recommend a visit to Versailles.  I may even go back again and skip the main house first thing to avoid the crowds and head straight for the smaller buildings and the garden.  

It took us all day to explore the area and we were exhausted afterwards, but it was totally worth it..

images by christina for greige

garden secrets..

Sometimes I find that when I take a minute to see things in a different light  I can really find 

inspiration..

We visited some really beautiful gardens while we were in France and I must say that I have a whole new idea of how I want to transform what I have..

So far my garden has basically remained untouched for the past 3 years, simply because I was not sure what exactly we should do with it.  Now I am inspired and hopefully will take some action!

These gardens have been cared for deeply maybe that is what I need a loving hand to make it work.

Images by christina for greige of a lovely chateau in Miesery France

Roof Tops of Paris...

I simply love architecture and the beautiful lines of buildings in Paris is at the top of my list of favorites!

We had the luxury of being on the top floor of our hotel the first few nights that we spent in Paris and this was a little bit of our view..

So perfect!  

Happy weekend to you!

What are your plans? 

I will be sorting through all of my goodies and tucking them away for later use as well as

celebrating my big guy's 9th birthday..

How quickly time passes..

images by greige

laduree and me...

 

By now Laduree and I have become aquainted once again and are deeply in love.. 

well maybe it is just me who is in love..  

I am going to be bringing a lovely gift box of these little babies home if you are interested..

leave a comment below for your chance to win a box of absolute bliss from

Laduree and me..

For a chance to win leave a comment below if you are a follower, for an additional chances to win you can tweet (easy to tweet just hit retweet at the bottom of the post), follow us on twitter or blog about our giveaway.  The winner will be chosen at random on May 16th.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

  **Don't forget I have to be able to contact you...  Please leave your name and some type of contact information if you are not able to be contacted with your profile** 

images via design mom

Congratulations to Laurie from Plain and Elegant antiques!!

Paris Love.. guest post: Francine from Art De Vivre

Francine Gardener of Art De Vivre has the best taste and an amazing life!  

I am so jealous a beautiful shop, gorgeous homes, and wonderful style!  

She has graciously written about her favorite things in Paris!  

image: flicker

I was very honored when Christina of Greige Design suggested that I could be a guest blogger while she enjoys time away. Blogging has become a very personal journey as I am able to share ideas, design inspirations, travel stories via words and images, an electronic common place book of sorts. My blog Francine Gardner Art De Vivre is a synopsis of who I am, someone who just loves family, life, nature, far away cultures and brings all these experiences into my design work.
I left the South West of France at the age of 18 to study in United States (Boston), a country that has fascinated me to the point that I am now a US citizen. But I will always love PARIS. I believe if there is a "place one must see before you die",  please make it Paris.

Paris through the eye of Henri Cartier Bresson

You may, if you wish, follow me on my stroll through my favorite part of this extraordinary city.
Arrive early morning at the small Lenox Hotel on Rue de l'Universite in Saint Germain where I always stay, shower, clean clothes and off I start my free day before meetings, shows etc.. breakfast at Cafe Flore where wealthy locals and tourists meet to chat , see and be seen. Then a long magnificent walk along the Seine to my favorite museum, Musee du Quai Branly.

image:images.businessweek.com

 Cross the Seine and heads to the Musee de l'Orangerie  where all walls of two large rooms are covered with massive canvases of Monet Water Lillies. A profound beautiful experience not to be missed.

 Monet:WaterLillies

Keep walking through gardens and enjoy a well deserved lunch on the terrace of Cafe Marly, overlooking the Louvre.
Then on to some shopping, all Streets of Saint Germain are filled with art galleries and boutiques but I always end up at the Bon Marche, their food emporium is a treat to all senses, their hip women's fashion department irresistible, let's not  mention the shoes....there, you see french women at work...shopping.
Back to the Flore for a chevre chaud, dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, alone or with friends, then, my nightly walk, through Place de Furstenberg, magical at night, getting lost in the small streets of the quartier latin and crossing the bridge to Isle Saint Louis. Along the way, I spend hours browsing the shelves of the bookstores which stay open until midnight. The french love to read... I usually end up buying boxes of books that I ship back to New York.
My free day is over, off to sleep.

My dear friends Monique Duveau, food critic and style editor at Cote Sud, and artist Jose Esteves have  introduced me to their favorite restaurants, numerous memorable diners that still tease my taste buds.

Lily-Wang, designed by Jacques Garcia. Simply superb Asian fusion dishes.

40 Avenue Duquesne, Paris 7th # 01 53 86 09 09

Casa Olympe: Olympe is one of the most celebrated chefs in France, fresh breads, inseason truffles, cheeses from Corsica, crayfish...her dishes are an inspiration and a delight to the senses.

48 Rue Saint Georges, Paris 9eme. 01 42 85 26 01

image:hipparis.com

Le Severo Bistrot; the land of Holy meat, best quality, cooked to perfection and at prices easily digested..

Charming bistro, only eight tables, best meats and french fries in Paris.

8 Rue des Plantes Paris 14eme. 08 99 78 72 43

image;http://hungryinbangkok.blogspot.com

Bistrot Paul Bert: Exquisite comfort food, very parisian food and atmosphere, killer deserts, Paris-Brest is a must.

18 Rue Paul Bert,Paris 11eme 01 43 72 24 01

image:travel.nytimes.com

My favorite stores

Merci! Not to be missed, hip boutique, eclectic mix of fashion and design, great place to shop,be inspired, have an espresso or lunch

111 Blvd Beaumarchais Paris 3eme (near le Marais)

Caravane; the owner Francoise Dorget and I share the same passion for travel, home and design

6 Rue Pave, Paris 4eme, 19 nRue Saint Nicolas, Paris 12eme, 22 Rue Saint Nicolas

image: Caravane

Gallerie Yves Gastou: decorative arts of the 20th century

12 Rue Bonaparte, Paris 6eme.

Table by Robert Couturier

Miller et Bertaux: Home, fashion and scents

17 Rue Ferdinand Duval

Hope you enjoyed!

Paris, a bientot...

Paris Love.. guest post:Si from French by Design

While in Paris I thought it would be fun to have some of our fellow bloggers share their love for the city with us.  Si from French by Design will be in Paris for part of my visit as well!  We are hoping to meet up while we are there! Please enjoy her lovely recommendations for this amazing city...

Bonjour! This is Si from FrenchByDesign! I am a French girl living on the East coast USA and enjoying my expatriate life here… But of course, I miss France and my friends there, so poor me, I have to go back there often to recharge my batteries [and eat stinky cheese but that’s another post…]

Christina is headed to Paris, ah Paris, the City of Lights… Just the name makes me want to sing Edith Piaf’s “La vie en Rose”… Such a romantic place… I lived in Paris for 5 years when I was a student. There were great parts about life there, but as always you don’t enjoy things when you have them around all year. I probably walked by the Eiffel Tower a hundred times while living there and barely noticed the lady. Now, when I go visit Paris, my friends make fun of me because I literally stop and stare at her for a few minutes. They say I’m weird. But then again, they might be right…

So Christina, here is a piece of advice for you… If you want to look and behave like a true Parisian, don’t stare at Madame Eiffel. But do go visit her late at night and wait for the 20 000 lights to come off, around 2 AM, it's quite magical to say "bonne nuit" to the Eiffel Tower. Also, go get yourself an ice cream cone at Berthillon, my favorite ice cream shop in the city or a Nutella crepe made right in front of you Rue de Caumartin. And block a day to visit the Marais, my favorite quarter in Paris. Tiny paved streets with independent clothing designer shops or interior design concept stores. And of course, have a croissant every morning. Calories don’t count while you’re in Paris! Bon voyage!

Château de Fontenay

Located north of Orléans, in an agricultural region called La Beauce, 70 miles from Paris, this impressive 16th century manor has been a landmark of the village of Fontenay-sur-Conie for more than 400 years.

A British art-collecting retail entrepreneur bought it completely furnished. But its rooms needed an update, so interior designer Tino Zervudachi and his team from Mlinaric, Henry & Zervudachi were appointed to fulfill the task.

If you'd like to read the full story behind this Château just go here.





































Photographed and produced by Tim Beddow

All images and information from Architectural Digest.