Belle Époque Paris Apartment

When it comes to design, the Art Nouveau era is my favorite. Art Nouveau is a style of decorative art, architecture, and design prominent in western Europe during the latter part of the Belle Époque era (1871 until the outbreak of World War I). Art Nouveau is usually characterized by intricate linear designs and flowing curves based on natural forms. And after seeing The Danish Girl, which features some incredible Art Nouveau locations, I'm on a kick.

Home Tour | French Painter Christian de Laubadère

This week, I sold the large queen bed that was taking up most of the real estate in my art studio. Not only was it completely in the way, but it was only functional a few weeks out of the year. Granted, I love hosting family at the house and I understand that they need a place to lay their head at the end of the day, but I think that can be accomplished without undermining the integrity of my creative space. I'll be brainstorming sleep arrangements in the near future, but until then I have my studio back!

Today, I'm reclaiming that space and setting up my various work areas. I want it to be comfortable with all of my materials at my fingertips. For inspiration, I have been pouring over photos of the home of French painter Christian de Laubadère. Laubadère's Shanghai home, pictured below, is filled with mandarin portraits, blue and white Chinese porcelain, carved wood frames and a host of other oriental artifacts. I love the fusion of layered textiles, objects displayed only for their beauty, his heavy use of blue and red all wrapped up in discreet functional spaces. This is bohemian aesthetics at it's best.

Photography by Ricardo Labougle for the World of Interiors

Whimsical Paris Home

I am completely charmed by this Parisian home owned by designer Patrice Gruffaz. The purple, green and red color scheme is gorgeous and the carved wooden mushroom table and chairs are amazing. Playful whimsy mixed with old world architecture, stacks of books, interesting art and bird figures scattered about - what's not to love?

Home Tour | Mint Blue Paris Apartment

A gorgeous minty-blue apartment just at the base of Champs de Mars in Paris. 

What a dreamy place!

All photos via D. Measure / Interior Architecture and Decoration

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Dusty pink. 

Whispers of Gray. 

Paris light. 

A clean kitchen.

The perfect coat.

A velvet love seat.

Linen.

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I'm in love with this linen sofa...

This sofa is from my latest home tour on Houzz.com.  I think I'm in love.  Thank you to the Wilcox Family for sharing their lovely home with me and my readers!  If you wake up tomorrow and this sofa is missing from your dining room, you'll know who took it.  

Take a look at the full article:

My Houzz: Budget-Friendly Decorating Updates for a Great Room in Texas

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Speechless

THIS home is ridiculously beautiful.  What was this space?  A ballroom from a bygone era?  First of all, the crumbling plaster on the walls is so beautiful and the soaring architecture - astounding. But the manner in which the inhabitants have filled this cavernous space is brilliant.  I love all the intimate seating areas, dinning area, books, large scale art that sets off the space, rather than competing with it - all of it is so well done.