LDV Edit: French Favorites

We are visiting Paris and a few places outside of the city this week to find treasures for client projects as well as Paloma & Co. This time, my partner Devon and I are bringing our husbands with us. They felt left out when we went without them in March! I am lucky that Fabian loves antiquing as much as I do, so it will be fun to go hunting for fun finds with him. It has been a very busy summer, so I am looking forward to finding inspiration in my favorite place. Since this is a work trip, I’ll be taking a break from LDV for the week while traveling. But don’t worry, I’ll be posting to Instagram frequently and I have pulled together an assortment of previous posts about my visits (and obsession!) with the City of Lights. From pretty places with elegant spaces to the best antiquing in the city, catch up on why I can’t stay away and neither should you.

Jet Set: Marquis Faubourg Saint Honore

A couple of years ago, Fabian and I stayed at the Hôtel Marquis Faubourg Saint-Honoré, which was designed by lauded European designer Michele Bonan. I have always admired Bonan’s beautiful work and chic aesthetic—he truly has a knack for bringing together elements from various periods and design movements to create a beautifully layered look. The chic, 15-room hotel is actually a historic 1730 mansion, which the Marquis de Lafayette once called home. The hotel features many of the Bonan’s signature hallmarks, including traditional architecture, Louis XVI fireplaces, and exquisite millwork mixed with mid-century furniture and a few carefully-selected pops of color. It was such a treat to stay in this treasure. Hôtel Marquis Faubourg Saint-Honoré; 8 Rue d’Anjou

Jet Set: Relais Christine

Relais Christine has been on my bucket list! Nestled in the St. Germain de Pres district in the Left Bank’s chic 6th arrondissement, Relais Christine is straight out of a storybook. Its beautiful ivy covered walls, chic awnings, and Juliet balconies rival the newly renovated interiors, which are swathed entirely in Pierre Frey fabrics. Je t’aime. Relais Christine; 3 Rue Christine

The Pinnacle of Luxury: The Peninsula Paris

I wrote about our stay at Peninsula Paris in 2016 and I’m still dreaming about its jaw-dropping architecture, extraordinary attention to detail, and sense of history. The revitalized hotel is home to 200 well-appointed rooms, 45 stunning suites, and three wonderful restaurants: Le Lobby, Lili, and L’Oiseau Blanc. Its stunning Asian-inspired Bar Kléber is also brimming with design inspiration, including two stunning indigo silk panels hand-painted with white peacocks and pagodas as a nod to Vietnam. (Henry Kissinger signed the Paris Peace Accords to end the Vietnam War in this room.) Located steps away from the Champs-Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe in the elegant 16th arrondissement, the opulent property was built in 1908 as a grand hotel. It’s storied past—George Gershwin penned “An American in Paris” here in 1928 —rivals its immaculate renovation and legendary service. The exquisite property is worth a stay, or at the very least, a stop. Peninsula Paris; 19 Avenue Kléber

A Buying Trip to Paris with the Pros

{Fellow Francophiles and Tour Guides Meg Harrington and Ann Huff of Huff Harrington Fine Art

and Huff Harrington Home in Atlanta, GA}

A couple of years ago, I went on one of the most inspiring shopping trips of my life. The curated tour was one of several that Ann Huff and Meg Harrington of Atlanta’s Huff Harrington organize and lead each year. The self-professed Francophiles offer personally hosted trips to Paris and Provence every year. On our trip, they led a small group of interior designers and shop owners through the best—and often times, secret!— markets and vendors in the city. Ann and Meg’s passion was infectious and their in-depth knowledge of Paris and French antiques made the entire experience a dream. I plan on revisiting many of their favorite haunts again this trip, including the famed Marché Aux Puces and the design district in the St. Germain de Pres district.

Paris Perfect: The Best Apartment Rentals in Paris

If you prefer to opt for a more authentic stay that makes you feel like a local, you may prefer to rent an apartment rather than stay in a hotel. Devon and I stayed in an apartment rental in the 7th arrondissement on our last trip and anticipate doing this again when it’s just the two of us traveling for shopping trips. You can read all about our experience here.

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Loulou: The Chicest Restaurant in Paris

I am a creature of habit down to my core. Although I do enjoy trying new places and things, I also love going back to my tried and true favorites. Anytime I am in Paris, dinner at Loulou is a must. The food is absolutely divine and the decor is just as delicious. Located at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs at the Louvre, the Uber-chic Loulou was designed by Joseph Dirand, one of the most talented designers in Paris.

If I Designed It: A Parisian Pied a Terre

I am unbelievably fortunate to be able to travel to a place as beautiful and inspiring as Paris multiple times per year for work. As much as I love staying in a good hotel, I can’t help but dream about what it would be like to one day have a little pied-a-terre there. I would love to live on the Left Bank. That won’t likely happen anytime soon, but what’s the point of life without goals and dreams? In the meantime, if anyone else would like for me to design their place in Paris, I’m all yours! For now, you can see what I would do with this unbelievably fabulous apartment if it were mine to decorate.

Do you have any favorite Parisian or French haunts I should check out? Please comment and let me know. Until next week– a bientot!