Sunday 27 February 2011

Formal & Romantic


The garden of Sting and Trudie Styler near Florence is breathtaking. Imagine the serious entertainment possibilities one has here! If I had such a garnde I would live outside.
According to the article in AD the 16th-century villa was built as a hunting lodge for the dukes of San Clemente.







All photos: Architectural Digest

Friday 25 February 2011

Collector's envy


This house makes me happy. Great colours and full of cool knickknacks. The house belongs to an artist (as if you couldn't tell) and it feels very 'real', not styled by a professional stylist unlike so many houses in photo spreads these days, sadly.
Which one is your favourite room? I love the dining room, the huge mirror, the chandelier, the floor and especially the blue paint.








Photos: AT Casa Italia

Wednesday 23 February 2011

Surprise guest: La Clarière in Paris



 Today I am going to interview textile designer Sharon MacDonald in her beautifully decorated atelier/shop in a cute village-like neighbourhood of Paris.





European Chic: Good morning, Sharon. First, tell us about yourself?

Sharon MacDonald: I am an architect by training. I studied in Canada and at my university we took also classes in interior design and fine arts. I believe my training as an architect brought me three things: The way I look at the world, attention to detail ,and a general knowledge about composition.

I worked as an architect in London for a while and when I moved to Paris I started working as an interior designer, among others with Philippe Starck and Andrée Putman. I had been offering printed fabrics which I designed myself to friends as presents and encouraged by their positive reactions I opened my first atelier in 1996. I sold my creations at fairs such as St. Jean de Beauregard near Paris. In 2008 I finally moved to a larger atelier on the Buttes aux Cailles and opened my shop/atelier La Clarière.

La Clarière has been featured in the French print publications Marie Claire Ideés and Cote Est but never on a blog before.





European Chic: Please tell us about your style and influences?

Sharon MacDonald: As an architect/interior designer I worked for others and adapted their style but I realised that I had to offer something more personal. My mother and grandmother did a lot of crafts and needlework and I was always attracted to textiles.

My style is influenced by my year living in Japan. My designs are decorative but slightly austere. I am also influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement and the beauty of nature, especially the study of leaves and flowers.

I have an eclectic approach and enjoy mixing my work with antique linen I find at local flea markets. I call it the 'The Past Perfect' collection. My philosophy is to upcycle. I take antique pieces, transform them and give them a new life. I encourage my customers not to be too matchy matchy.





European Chic: Why do you work exclusively with linen?

Sharon MacDonald: Linen is such a sensual fabric. Every piece is different, it is a living fiber. Linen drapes in such a graceful unique way. Actually, it is scientifically proven that linen is good for your sleep as it is a very absorbent material. I have a nightgown collection with flat felled seams in light summer linen and thicker winter linen.





European Chic: What is your favourite collection? I know, this must be a tough one.

Sharon MacDonald: My favourite collection ha to be the Children's clothes collection. I especially love the red designs.




European Chic: Ok, one last question. What are your plans for the future?

Sharon MacDonald: I am currently designing new motives with bright colours on lightly coloured linen.

I am also going to add baby blankets made out of the softest linen I could find to my bestselling Baby Collection. My Children's Collection will also be expanded to include more clothes for boys.




European Chic: Thank you very much, Sharon, for sharing your beautiful designs with European Chic readers. I think your lovely store/atelier is really 'you' and I feel right at home here.






Oh, by the way, La Clarière ships anywhere in the world and also accepts custom orders. La Clarière's website is bilingual French and English.


All collages by European Chic; other photos by La Clariere


La Clarière - Atelier/Galerie de Création Textile


8, rue de L'Espérance
75013 Paris France
01 82 09 44 79
http://www.atelierlaclariere.com/
 

Me (and Sharon, I am sure) are eager to hear from you (click on the post title and scroll down in order to comment).
 
I had promised in January that I had new ideas for this blog. Please do let me know what you think of this new format. As you can imagine a post like this one is somewhat time consuming (but lots of fun!) to produce.

Monday 21 February 2011

Pets on furnitures features my dog

 

Today the dog was featured on Desire to Inspire's Pets on Furniture series (see photo below). Yay! I am so proud that he was included in what can only be described as stiff competition, I mean look at these cute dogs and cats!

Trying to photograph my Spanish Water Dog on a bench. He is extremely camera shy so it took 40 unsuccessful tries, very cold gloveless hands, and a dog in a bad mood. Of course, whenever I do not bring my camera he sits leisurely on this favourite bench of his!

All photos: European Chic

The dog is a little bit sick at the moment (coughing), hence the big pink scarf.

Sunday 20 February 2011

Colourmania!

 Photo: Marie Claire Maison

I am going colour-wild today! Inspired by reader W. from the UK who thinks that beige is boring. Vive the colours!
What is your favourite colour? Do share with us.

Photo: Brigitte
Photo: Mixr Sweden

I love this photo. It has been in my files for ages...
Photo: Marie Claire Maison
Photo: Maison Interior Norway
The kitchen of Dolce & Gabbana's house in Sicily. Absolutely crazy, I think. And evidently inspired by Antonio Gaudi.

Friday 18 February 2011

Cottage with a view


 Welcome to the Lubéron! From this terrasse you have an amazing view of Provence. This cottage measures a total of 38 m2. and would be totally big enough for me. Isn't it the cutest cottage ever? As you probably already figured out I am very keen on small cottages and flats (it must have something to do with living in Paris). They are much more challenging to decorate and I love a challenge like no one.

I think I mentioned before that you have to click on the post title and then scroll to the end of the post in order to comment.



All photos: Marie Claire Maison France

Wednesday 16 February 2011

Rainbow stationery


It's a post on stationary design again! Yep, I hadn't forgotten, but lately I hadt't found anything I liked from Europe, although lots of lovely American stationary which didn't really fit the scope of this blog.
BookbindersDesign is a Swedish brand and we are lucky to have two of their shops in Paris which I am known to frequent, well, frequently. They also have an online shop in case you live in a country with no BookbinderDesign shop. Most of their designs are available in all colours under the rainbow.  








All photos: BookbindersDesign.

P.S: I am already working on my next post where you will meet an unexpected guest. Stay tuned!
P.P.S. Click on the title of the post and then scroll down if you want to comment. I'd love to hear from you! 

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