CARTE BLANCHE IN PARIS
One of the places I love to go to when I visit Paris is the Musée des Arts Décoratifs on the rue de Rivoli. They always have the best exhibits and their gift shop isn't bad either...
Just up that staircase...
you can spot the brightly coloured doors leading to the fabulous Dries Van Noten exhibit, (now over unfortunately...but you can still feast your eyes upon the beautiful catalogue from the gift shop...)
Push open these doors and enter the wonderfully creative world of this uber talented Belgian designer.
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| Dries Van Noten |
The exhibit was an artful mix of all the influences; musical, social, artistic...etc... that have driven the designer throughout his career. His eclectic, colourful and sophisticated work somehow also channel ease and comfort. The fabrics are sublime; tweeds or hand embroidered silks alike. Dries Van Noten's designs are uniquely chic, unpretentious and in that way, supremely elegant.
Down the stairs again and across the hall to another sensational show...especially if you are into interior design...
This is the AD INTERIEURS 2014 interior design show (and their fifth edition) at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.
This year, sixteen leading designers have been invited and given 'Carte Blanche' to create a living space around a special art piece selected from the reserve collection of the Museum. This exhibit/show is a great opportunity to see some rarely-seen works of art (you'll discover unique furniture, sculpture, paintings, lamps and much more...) and to experience the vision of the creators' styles, tastes and inspiration.
So...par ici la visite...
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| walk through the antichambre... |
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| And into the room. Very 'dadaiste' don't you think...? Here, the selected art work is a sculpture by ARMAN,still packed in its' wooden container (caisse); hence the name of the room. You can see it on the left. |
How about the 'Salon Facetté' designed by Pierre Yovanovitch?
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| Best lights... |
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| I was so fascinated by these lamps here that I didn't snap the 1926 wooden garden chair which was his chosen piece...ooops... |
The next room, appropriately called 'Le Cabinet d'une Elégante' is designed by Caroline Sarkozy and Laurent Bourgois (and yes, she is related to France's ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy; she's his half-sister...).
Their selected piece is this delicate little 'banquette', once Marie-Antoinette's royal seat at the theatre of the Trianon in Versailles, no less ! How about that...
Perhaps what the Boudoir of Marie-Antoinette would look like if she were 'first lady' today...sleek and elegant.
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| with these delicate and beautiful porcelaine sculptures by Japanese Artist HITOMI HOSONO |
Imagine a long, warm bath in this spectacular tub...you can even hold court as you soak. You are, after all, in the ultra glamourous 'Salon de Bain' designed by Charles Zana.
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| Charles Zana's statement piece is this sculptural, metal and plexiglass ceiling lamp by ETTORE SOTTSASS, 1957. |
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| Where your guests will sit as you soak... |
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| So large, you may even have a party in there...what happens in the Musée des Arts Déco...stays in the...ahem |
If you prefer a more conventional setting to entertain, then why not go with famous architect Isabelle Stanislas' concept of a space incorporating both a bar and a library...the 'Bar-Bibliothèque'.
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| Can you spot the early 16th Century Venetian trunk amongst the dorian, marble,and glass... |
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| That light...a definite WOW factor !! |
And for some inspiration from the Orient...'Le Pavillon Chinois' designed by François Joseph Graf for Fendi.
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| 14th Century MING DYNASTY Vase |
There are also stunning details, like some of the doors marking the entrance to the various 'rooms' ; for example; this monumental one by the Cabinet Albert Pinto...leading the way into his 'Salon de Dégustation' - wine tasting room.
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| Looking through, at the main central hall, which is flanked on either side by the showcase rooms... |
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| Amazing lamps too at Studio Alberto Pinto |
These are just a few pictures (and believe me... they don't do the show justice...) from this wonderful designer showcase. Every room offers so many interesting and beautiful details and works of art. The mixture of old and new, along with the great creativity of the designers and highly skilled artists and artisans, contribute to the highly acclaimed and recognized 'Art de Vivre à la Française'.
So, if you happen to be in Paris anytime before November 23rd...and if interior design tickles your fancy...you know what to do...
As for me...and for now...I will leave you with one last light sculpture by Isabelle Stanislas...
A très vite....
Credits.- www.parisinfo.com - www.tendances-de-mode.com
