Beautiful Interiors ..... French Style!

Beautiful Interiors of The Ritz Hotel in Paris .... this is the gorgeous sitting room before entry into the breakfast room .... the chandelier and the gilded bergere chairs ....

I took these photographs three years ago when we were in Paris and I still remember the magnificence of the hotel ... it was stunning.  Our room had a gorgeous marble fireplace with an ormolu clock sitting atop.  I remember picking these flowers from the flower markets near Madeleine Chapel ....notice the delectable Laduree boxes that I had bought that day!!!  I have more of The Ritz but I think I will save them for another day as I want to show you this ...

These beautiful interiors are from an apartment we stayed in after our time at Versailles.  I had researched and found this one at Guest Services Apartments on Ile St. Louis, one of two small islands in the middle of Paris in the Seine.  Ile St. Louis is considered to be the old or original part of Paris and where the aristocracy in the 16th and 17th century had their townhouses.  The island is named after King Louis the 14th of France "Saint-Louis".  The apartment we stayed in dated to the 17th century and was absolutely amazing.  We had two balconies overlooking the Seine and the back of Notredame Cathedral. 

The French doors leading to the kitchen and dining room ....

Gorgeous antiques filled the apartment with walnut inlay on the dining room table and Louis 16th style painted dining chairs .... it was a pleasure setting this table for dinner....

The main bedroom was called the Marie Antoinette room and the parquet flooring is all original and the squeak as you walked on them reminded of the age of the building that enveloped us!  The patina of the flooring was exquisite .....

Notice the gorgeous corbels and architectural detailing ... and acanthus leaves.  The grey with the white detailing was perfect with the classical cornice ....

Preparing dinner .... it was an amazing stay!

Then thinking of architectural detailing and mouldings and plaster reliefs I remembered the photos I took at Petite Trianon .....

Notice the fruit in the urn and all the gorgeous scrollwork ....

I love decorative rosettes and the border of the acanthus leaf ...

The exterior of "Le Petite Trianon" ....

Le Petite Trianon was owned by King Louis 15th and after he died of smallpox his grandson, Louis 16th who ascended the thrown, gave the estate to Marie Antoinette.  The Queen actually maintained much of the interior design by Gabriel, but did replace the staircase (above) with her gilding and black iron and her monogram.

I absolutely love this shot of the "blue doors" with the royal coat of arms and Louis the 14th's emblem of the "Sun King".  I think these doors opened onto the music salon ......

Georgiana and I outside the Domaine de Marie~Antoinette ..... this is three years ago and I can't believe how little Georgie is ....

Georgiana and I at dinner at Gordon Ramsay's Restaurant au Trianon .... after the Petite Trianon this was the perfect end to a perfect day .... I have more photos to show you and this is just the beginning as we are going back in June and I always feel as excited as I was the first time I set foot on French soil .... it has a magic that completely entrances you ......

I would just also like to thank the "Decorating Forum" for asking me to be their guest blogger for this week.  Thank-you so very much and especially to Julie-Ann for the honour and pleasure of sharing my blog with you all. I do hope you enjoy it ..... go to the Decorating Forum on http://www.decoratingforum.com.au/

best wishes M.A. the 2nd!

"Champagne and Chandeliers"

I just wanted to share with you today two events .... it is the 200th anniversary of the gorgeous champagne house Perrier Jouet which was created in 1811 by the marriage of Pierre Nicholas Perrier and Adele Jouet ......

the most prestigious and my personal favourite Cuvee Belle Epoque was created in 1902 and was hallmarked by the gorgeous label of the Japanese "anemones".

Secondly, this is the gorgeous "Bernadette O'Shea" who wrote the much coveted book "Champagne and Chandeliers" and has just recently been voted the "Best in World" at Gourmand Awards..  she won "Best French Wine Book" of 2010.  Congratulations Bernadette ...  I was supposed to be at the dinner tonight in Brisbane but a nasty flu prevented me ... much to my great disappointment ...

I hope you all have a fabulous evening full of beautiful memories and delicious bubbles ....

This is my version to celebrate for you .....

Gorgeous pages from Bernadette's book ....

Congratulations Bernadette on an amazing talent ....

I am signing up to your next class ......

best wishes

M. A. the 2nd!

aka Frances xxx

images http://www.perrier-jouet.com/

http://www.champagneconsultant.com/

and my own.

Pictures from Paris

Just some gorgeous pictures from Paris and the Hotel Georges V.

Such beautiful, elegant designs and interiors ....

Lovingly restored and dates back to circa 1928 ....

There are some gorgeous 18th century tapestries which adourn the walls ....

Just perfect for a rendevouz in the "City of Lights" ..... something so beautiful which has stood the test of time ..... we hope that Japan too can withstand this terrible test that nature has given her ..... our prayers are with you.

Magnolia!

This is the gorgeous new "Magnolia" store which my friend Robyn has been at the helm of for the past 10 or more years!  If you are a Brisbane resident you will know Magnolia ...... it has been an institution in the James Street precinct heading the way with interiors and homewares!  They have just moved into a huge new warehouse style premises just near Jocelyn's Provisions and Porter's Paints and it is stunning!  Robyn and I have been discussing interiors for years and as designers it is always wonderful to talk with colleagues and like-minded souls.  In this photo is Sarah who works with Robyn and also Ned who is Robyn's son .....

These are the type of gorgeous lampshades and bases you will find at Magnolia ...... the shade is Designer's Guild and the base Robyn sourced in New York.

Robyn travels world-wide to source new, different and beautiful product.  I recently used  a set of ikat lampshades for a client of mine that were made from fabric Robyn found at a Turkish bazarre. 

The customized shelving (which Robyn designed) is gorgeous holding wonderful treasures .... look at the pink plush ottomans!

Congratulations Robyn and all the Magnolia girls on a fabulous new premises for their design shop!

French Chic in a City Apartment!

I am so excited .... this beautiful bedroom is from a wonderful client's home.  We did this bedroom about 3 years ago and it still looks wonderful.  Dawn loves it and now we are moving on to do the living room and dining room. 

My client has wonderful style and she knows what works .... these gorgeous chartreuse monogrammed cushions were a statement in the main bedroom ..... also note the tufted blue silk coverlet ....

We so enjoyed doing this room as Dawn loves French style .....

The gorgeous Louis 15th style chair and ottoman painted in antique white sit quietly in the corner ......

There is more to come .....

New Designer's Guild

The beautiful new Designer's Guild collection has arrived and it is so rich and fresh .....

The main collection is called "Sofienberg" and is a fresh colour palette of linens and cottons with a floral design that merges with Gustavian classical motifs ......

 A beautiful collection with a classical base and a modern twist ...... enjoy .....

on another note ... I wish to convey my utmost sympathy to the people of Christchurch, New Zealand.  They are in peril and the days are dark indeed ... our thoughts and prayers are with you our dear friends ... I have walked through Christchurch Cathedral and have sat in the Square when there was peace and the earth was not erupting .... that beautiful cathedral may well be condemned as the beautiful spiral was toppled during the earthquake.  I just hope that maybe they can save her and save others during this terrible, terrible tragedy....

Raspberry Doors, Exquisite Artwork and Lavender Cupcakes!

I just had to share this with you .... this is a lovely client and best friend of mine's new business door!  We have been working on the design and interiors for some weeks and it is starting to come together perfectly!  We have gone for gorgeous grey and a raspberry door for the exterior and perfect pink walls inside .... coupled with a gorgeous Designers Guild wallpaper and a sparkling chandelier!

This business is very special and very beautiful to my friend Becky ..... the store is called "Victoria Grace" and will be a beautiful respite filled with gorgeous Crabtree and Evelyn products and exquisite home and giftwares!  The name is coined from two of Becky's three daughters .....  Sophie is the oldest and works with me in my interior design business and I feel a very talented and special young lady .... Sophie said to her Mum "I don't mind not being in the name as I feel it is important to have Victoria and Grace in it."  Grace is Becky's youngest daughter and she is 16 and an absolute doll.  Victoria, who died as a baby, would have been the second girl.  So it is so special for this shop and this name ..... "Victoria Grace".  Both Sophie and Grace are beautiful young ladies and I know that Becky is so proud of them! 

Here is our glittering chandelier .....

                   The stunning Designers Guild wallpaper ......

      Stay tuned for the opening it is going to be gorgeous!

and then I just wanted to show these amazing pieces of artwork which I thought were just beautiful ...... acrylic on canvas with I think a water glaze or drip ... to create the abstract feel .....

These pieces are called "the Bellas" by Melinda Musco and I think they are absolutely exquisite ....  I am looking at one of them for a client and one of them for my home ...

and then I just had to share these beautiful cupcakes which my gorgeous friend Tonya baked for Georgiana and myself ...

She is the most amazing lady and the cupcakes were "Divine, Delicious and Delectable" and perfect for Marie Antoinette herself!  Tonya's son Riley has just moved in with our Dominic into an apartment in Brisbane so we are sharing the sadness but also celebrating the joy!!!!!