SUBLIME SLUMBER

L'ART DU THÉ OR LE TISANE

When one thinks of refreshments in France 

one automatically thinks of coffee or aperitivs, such as Pastis

But as these images show, 

the salon de thé is an art form that the French take very seriously

Indeed an afternoon tisane is as traditional in France as it is in England

Except perhaps that in France

thé is always taken in the finest cup and saucer

And often with a little sweet delicieuse gaterie

Salon de thé, as ever with the French, 

an opportunity to display French culinary flair 

SUBLIME FRENCH BATHING

The French, as ever, 

always have the edge on the sublime

And here is the ultimately divine and heavenly 

way of indulging oneself 

in the pleasure of bathing

Resplendent in a floral tub.

Sublime French bathing.

CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY

I'm a great fan of the eclectic in both interiors and sartorialism.  In particular I enjoy the mix of the contemporary and the classic. Recently talking to a French lady about a black dress she said "ah c'est classique" and it made me ponder on the point when does the contemporary become the classic? After all isn't some contemporary already classic?

Living in France one is regularly aware of the classical, the antique or even the retro. But the contemporary classic is less available - at least outside Paris. And yet, as these pictures show - from a French book I hasten to add - the mix of the contemporary structure in the form of architecture as a backdrop for the classical or antique furnishings works really well.

I am not a great lover of contemporary homes - ultimately preferring the classical or old world, but if one is forced to live in the contemporary there are ways of mixing it successfully with vintage. The modern divan bed together with an ancient bust or classical architectural prints is a clever way of making something that has the potential to be very bland - as many modern interiors are - into a more imaginative aesthetic. But it takes an artful eye to get it right.

In many ways it is much more pleasing (and creative) than a contemporary home just filled with the cliched modern pieces such as Eames chairs or black leather and chrome. The simple lines of some modern interiors can offset the classical beauty of heritage items.

Sometimes in France homes can be overwhelming displays of "good taste" of antiques layer upon layer. However, Coco Chanel - a modernist if ever there was one - created a subtle and harmonious blend in her Paris apartment - a modern camel suede sofa mixed in amongst Chinese screens and other antiques. C'est tres chic!

I like the idea of mixing it up a little - it brings a new freshness, a uniqueness and a surprise.

The beauty of the classic and the contemporary.

GLORIOUS GILDED MIRRORS

ROMANCE: OLD WORLD GLAMOUR CUBAN STYLE

... AND THERE'S ITALIAN PANELLING