Home Tour: Colourful Converted Paris Factory

Welcome to the home of movie set decorators Etienne and Clorinda Méry, who live in the Bastille district of Paris. Isn't their home a wonderful riot of colour? It was just the hit of hue I needed to colour me inspired on this dreary November day. The home sits within a converted fire extinguisher factory and the colour schemes that run throughout were inspired by the bright colours of baroque colonial cities like Cuba and South America. Personally, I love how the home uses colour to highlight the building's best features - as well as it's shortcomings. For example, the beautiful architrave is painted in shades from golden yellow to dusty pink to make it a feature of the space, whilst in the dining room, peeling plaster is painted in a refreshing mint shade to compliment to pastel pink of the exposed brick wall behind. Using colour in this manner to create interesting and quirky features out of the home's existing 'shell' is truly inspiring, don't you think?
// Marie Claire Maison | Photography by Vincent Leroux | Time Machine

Finding Colour Inspiration & Ideas

I get a lot of my colour inspiration from travel, as well as just walking around in the natural environment. I love to try and notice colourful little details that could otherwise pass me by in life. So, I headed over the the Laura Ashley blog to share some of my recent colour inspirations, both from travels and closer to home, as well as share some ideas for how you can find colour inspiration. In the post you will see some of my photographs from Italy, to Paris, to London and beyond! When I was in Paris I visited Merci and I spotted this paint splattered tabletop, which I fell in love with it at first sight. I'm thinking it's probably been a base for some serious creative happenings...! Isn't it great how the smallest little details can inspire us? You can click here to read the whole post for more of my snaps.
// Photography by Will Taylor

Paris: Mr. Bazaar in the City of Light

Photography by Will Taylor

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to visit Paris and as always the city provided a beautiful and inspiring experience. The moment you step off the Eurostar train it's hard not to get whipped up in the grandeur and beauty of the French capital that surrounds you. I spent most of the trip walking, camera in hand (pastry in the other!) soaking up the sights and sounds of this magical place. I visited lots of my usual haunts, from shopping in lifestyle store Merci and Le Petit Atelier Paris to cocktails in Georges at the top of Centre Pompidou (the Instagram snap of the Eiffel Tower at night was taken from up there). You just can't tire of Parisian architecture whether it's by day or night, can you?! After being closed on previous visits, I finally took a visit to the Musee d'Orsay where the Impressionist art was divine, as was the building itself. I also dined at Grazie, a new pizza house and cocktail bar, which is an offshoot of Merci and run by Julien Cohen. Dark and moody inside, the decor is perfectly in line with the current industrial trend; one that is echoed in subway tiles, school chairs and exposed bulbs in abundance. Affordable, lively and fun, this restaurant was one of my favourite new finds from the trip. Have you been to Paris? What do you love about the City of Light?

Happy Weekend: Parisian Rooftops

Photo prints by Eye Poetry: (Left to right) 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Well, folks, I'm signing off for the week because I'm lucky enough to be in Paris for a few days of French Fun! Just days before I left, two new prints I had ordered from Eye Poetry arrived ready to be framed and hung in my bedroom. I ordered the top two rooftop images you can see in the four shown above and plan on hanging them side by side on one of the bedroom walls. Why did I choose them? I felt instantly inspired and charmed by their 'toy town' look (love tilt shift!) and what better than to wake and see beautiful Parisian architecture each morning? Can't wait to come back and share my Parisian adventures with you all. Have a lovely weekend!

Colourful Parisian Paintings By Paul Ferney

All paintings by Paul Ferney (Left to right, from top: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8)

American artist Paul Ferney is currently living in Paris and spent the summer of 2011 painting a series of parisian scenes for his Little Paris Paintings collection. Following in the footsteps of his mother (who is also an artist) Paul soon developed a love for oil painting, a skill he clearly demonstrates in this series of paintings. I'm certainly no expert when it comes to paintings but I do know this: it takes a lot for me to really fall for a painting. Photography prints? I'm falling head over heels for a new one of those almost daily, but rarely ever do paintings grab me so instantaneously. Yet these works caught my eye and imagination from the first time I clicked through to the site. I admire Paul's use of colour and depth of detail in each storefront painting, and how when you look closely, such as through windows, you can see small signs of life from people at tables to glowing lamps. Here I've pulled together a selection of my favourites from the series, but which of Paul's Paris paintings do you like best?  Be sure to read more about Paul, view his portfolio and, if you like, shop his Little Paris series.

Parisian Times

Well, friends, I'm back from Paris and despite having a fever for the first two days, I had a magnificent time - thank you for all your generous comments whilst I was away. My last two trips to the french capital have been graced with crisp, clear blue skies. This year, however, was a different story. Grey skies, drizzle and bitingly cold winds dominated the trip. After fighting the fever, and determined not to let anything ruin the visit, I embraced the grey skies by shooting some snaps through a sepia lens. Here are a few photographs that I hold fond memories of: The breathtaking square of Place des Vosges, the soothing symmetry of the tree-lined streets that lead away from the Arc de Triomphe and, of course, the Eiffel Tower glistening delicately in the night sky. As for my shoes, well, I liked the way the camera captured the weathered effect of the suede; it told the story of the trip perfectly - walking, walking, walking! We stayed in The Marais and spent most of our days wondering in and out of independent boutiques, florists and kitchens. I could go back in a heartbeat, but at the same time there is something special about returning to the comforts of home. I've missed you guys - it's good to be back!

Bright.Bazaar

Mr. Bazaar in Paris

1 | 2 | 3

I hope you all had magnificent weekends? I've popped across the pond to visit Paris for a few days, but will be back with more brights from the world of interiors tomorrow. In the meantime, I shall wish you all a great week from afar - probably with a pastry (or two) in hand!

Home Tour: A Parisian Townhouse

On Tuesday we toured a tiny apartment in Brooklyn but today we've crossed the pond and find ourselves in an unusual Parisian townhouse within the Marais district. Home to Gabriel wick and his partner Olivier, the open plan apartment surprises many of their French visitors who are not used to seeing loft-style spaces. I love the drama created by the high ceilings and extending, almost never-ending, parquet flooring. The owners liken the apartment to a theatre set and as you stroll through these images I think you'll agree that the curtain should never go down on this show.

One of my favourite parts of Gabriel and Olivier's home is the kitchen. Charmingly unfinished and lived-in, it echoes the relaxed vibe that travels throughout the apartment. Colourful china and simple packaging lift the stainless steel storage unit, whilst wooden boxes and shelving add character and personality.

Books, artifacts and portraits are used to decorate the open plan space, whilst simultaneously zoning different areas. Notice how they've kept to a palette of brass, golds and sepia throughout, which helps the open space to flow visually.

design*sponge | photography by braden perkins | layouts by Bright.Bazaar

Home Tour: Palm Springs on the 5th Arrondissement

In a week where I've been longing for a trip to Paris - tweets from the front row of Paris Fashion Week haven't helped - you can imagine my delight upon discovering this visually arresting Parisian apartment. Colour blocking. Fifties furniture. Herringbone floors. Hello, interiors heaven! Jean-Christophe Aumas' space is created with a mix of muted neutrals, poppy brights and intriguing artworks.

The fireplace alone makes a dramatic statement in the main living space, but Jean-Christophe's addition of theatrical-style lighting, pillar candles and the over sized glass dome vignette only adds to the mystical atmosphere. As for the painted logs, well, they were made for Mr. Bazaar, no?!

Each of these four snapshots demonstrates the excellent level of execution that the interior of this apartment delivers. A mirrored, brass sideboard gently tans the reflection of the herringbone floor as it dances off into the distance. The artwork, effortlessly placed upon it, echoes these decedent hues. Meanwhile, in the shower room, a block of sea green turns the most basic of shower fittings into a striking statement.

Elle Decoration | Didier Delmas

To me this is apartment is a lesson in how to use brights: make a statement of an otherwise straight forward feature, table legs and shower fittings for example, and then block out parts of a main wall to add your accent shade. Stick with calmer shades in the surrounding furniture and collections and you'll be onto a winner. So, folks, if I disappear I think you'll know where to look first...

Sunday's Bright Links

1 via 2

Been dreaming of Paris recently? I know I have.

A pink cowhide rug? The Decorista shows us how it's done.

Unabashedly Prep's October playlist is one for the iPod.

Mrs.Lilien's pillow round up made me a happy chap.

Poppytalk launched their autumn colours week.

L.A. colours and double rainbows.

{Office Inspiration: Parisian Office}

Like many I've always thought it would be lovely to have a Carrie Bradshaw style desk-by-the-window set up for a home office. This office space makes that ideal even more attractive. Great use of storage and plenty of natural light = a brilliant work space. The only problem? How would I get any work done with that view?!

Image: mividabonita via The Decorista

{Oversized clock plays on expectations}

I'm loving how this huge clock really shouldn't work in this small Parisian cafe, yet amazingly, it does. I think the reason it works is down to the symetrical design choices; small lamps and equally sized bookcases either side anchor the scheme. Simple, graphic statements do work in small and cosy environments after all...

Image: ParisDailyPhoto