Design Week - Paris 2011 - A Vancouver Home Stager/Designer's Take
"When I was in Paris"... Oh, I'm sorry, but I just love saying that! When I was in Paris this past September, my trip actually coincided with Paris Design Week. The whole city embraces design, and the local shops display their take on design. There is also a design trade show, which I was planning on attending, but I got my dates mixed up, and missed the show by a day! Oh, believe me, I'm still kicking myself for that one!
Not to be deterred, I grabbed my camera and walked the streets of Paris, in search of design displays, and to my delight, they were everywhere. I thought I would share some photos of my findings. I hope you enjoy!
I found great design in shop windows, furniture stores, cars, signs and even the Metro! Design is everywhere - you just have to open your eyes and appreciate what is around you.
I absolutely love the old Metro signs. There's something very charming about them, and the Art Nouveau style writing is delightful. Incredibly, the first metro line was opened in 1900 for the World's Fair!
This is a modern interior of the de Villiers Metro station. I love the modern, green chairs. The attention to great, modern design in a subway station is fantastic. Many subway stations in Paris have similar chairs, but in different colours, such as red, purple etc. Oh, and don't forget to check out the white "subway tiles" that we love to put in our shower surrounds!
This is a shop window display. Sorry about the reflection of the glass in the photo. However, you get the idea. I love the simplicity of this window display. The product appears fresh, organic, pure and clean. The green colour is fantastic, and I love the green olive's shape.
Here is another window display. This is a high end chocolate shop. I was absolutely drooling at the chocolate, but I find the display to be very clever. Cocoa pods made of chocolate, suspended. Again, the negative and positive shapes of this display are extremely pleasing.
I viewed this concept car for the Citroen on the Champs Elysee. Very futuristic!
Of course, we can't forget furniture. I love this mod take on the Tulip chair. Wouldn't this make a statement in a modern condo! This chair was displayed in the Montmartre area.
I often pick up French language design magazines. Some of my favourite magazines are the "Cote Maison" interior design magazines. I'm always inspired by the photographs, and struggle through the articles with my rusty French. I often see ads in these magazines for a wonderful looking furniture and accessory store called "Mise en Demeure".
Imagine my excitement when I happened upon this store during my wanderings. Here are a few photos.
If you're planning on a trip to Paris, I would highly recommend visiting for their design week in September. Don't forget to bring comfortable walking shoes!
Exit Stage Right - Home Staging and Redesign Sally Weatherley 604-838-9431
Sally Weatherley is a full time home stager and owner of exit stage right - home staging, Vancouver, B.C.
We help home owners and real estate agents sell their homes quickly and for maximum profit. When selling your home you want to "set the stage for a lasting first impression".
Home Staging Website: www.exitstageright.ca
Before & After Photos: Exit Stage Right Portfolio
Email: sally@exitstageright.ca
Blog: Exit Stage Right Blog
Sally - thanks for sharing your wonderful photos from your trip! I feel like I went to Paris, now, too! And I'm with you on the olives - I want some!
Sharon - Gald you enjoyed the tour! Isn't that the cutest olive? I'm assuming it's a container for the face cream, but it also might be a prop - whatever - I love it!
Hi Sally...if I carried your bags we would have been at the Show...ha. Love the Photos you certainly captured your moment in Paris.
Glad to have to back Blogging !!
What an amazing trip you had Sally! I just love that chocolate display, and the chair is amazing!
Fred - Yes, I believe you're right! I definitely needed a personal assistant, and you would have fit the bill perfectly! Oh, and thanks for the blogging nudge!
Laura - I tell you Laura, if those darned chocolates didn't cost about $10 a chocolate, I would have bought up the whole shop! My goodness, things are expensive in Paris!
I'm jealous but happy to live vicariously through your photos and blog Sally!
I feel like I've been to Paris thanks to your blog posts reliving your adventure! Great shots!
No need to apologize Sally, we'd all being saying it if we were lucky enough to enjoy Paris as you did............excellent photos and amazing marketing.
Valerie - Oh, I'm with you. Don't you love those little macaroon marvels? They are so petite and I love the different colours. They absolutely melt in your mouth, and you can never have just one!
Karen - So glad you came along for the ride!
Sharon - As I wrote this post, I really enjoyed reliving the trip - can't wait to go again. Hmmm, I'd better get busy staging!
Roger - Ok then, you won't mind me saying again that "when I was in Paris..." Ha ha ha! Glad you enjoyed the photos.
Not at all my dear, I just wish we were sharing a good bottle of wine while you were saying it.........
Sally every time you say "when I was in Paris" a joke comes to my mind.
" I wanna go to Paris again".
"Have you ever been to Paris?"
"No, but I have already been wanted to..."
That's about me. I have never been to Paris but wanted to ... so many times. LOL. I am really enjoying your Paris series. Keep them coming.
Hi Sally ~ Paris, amazing chocolates, great design ... what more could you ask for? Thanks for sharing your fun photos!
Sally.....thanks for the tour and reminding me how much I LOVE Paris!! Fav's.....the Metro Station is COOL with those modern chairs & love the shells!!
Roger - Ahhh, me too, like a nice bottle of Chateaux Neuf du Pape. Cheers and Vive la France!
Anna - That's funny! Oh, you'll get there and you won't regret it.
Maureen - Agreed, 3 of my favourite things: Paris, chocolates and design. Need we say more?
Kathy - I was particularly impressed with the cool design in the Metro - I so wasn't expecting that. The Metro was also very clean and incredibly easy to figure out.
Sally ~ Thanks for sharing tidbits from your trip to Paris. Looks fab!!
Barb - Thanks for following along! This was a full day of walking, and my feet were killing me at the end of it, but it was so worth it!
What a fun and informative trip Sally. Love that chair with it's 50s inspired design. Thanks for sharing.
I love the chocolates most...no I love the tulip chair the most, no the chocolates, no the chair.....you get the picture?
Ginger - I love that chair, too! You could match so many coloured cushions with it.
Shar - Oh heck, just get them both! You can eat the chocolates while you sit on the chair...
Sally - those French designers are something special, the colours are great and I love the Citroen car of course! It looks like you had a fantastic time over there!
Cheers!
David - The French designers really do have that "je ne sais quoi". I'm not big into cars, but even I can appreciate how cool that Citroen looked.