Maison & Objet - Paris Winter

Shopping Maison & Objet, the formidable home show in Paris, is like treasure tromping through every continent, and many countries! So many styles of textiles, furniture, lighting, tabletop and gifts. Like no other gift show in the world, it's a feast for every single sense........... I've heard many find it overwhelming. I simply find it inspiring to the umpteenth degree.......

Enjoy a few of the trappings which entagled me (and my checkbook!!):

Loving vintage bowls a LATTE

Often we forget to look for the many small pleasures afforded us each day. During this time of doom and gloom on the news with every channel turned or website visited, we need to remember where those small pleasures can be found....

For me, there's nothing like starting the day with a "just me" ritual:

~Rejuvenating music playing in the background....~Kitchen French doors opened to let in the morning air (whether it be warm, cold or rainy&sweet)....~Steaming hot French-pressed coffee enjoyed out of a vintage, not-so-perfect French Latte Bowl....~Freshly-washed French linen tea towel (not ironed!) under my vintage chipped plate of buttered toast and hard-boiled egg...

~Often a lit Cote Bastide candle.

Recently, one of Vintageweave's regulars, an actress from Grey's Anatomy, scooped up every vintage French Latte Bowl with soft black stripes and black polka dots. When I tried to talk her into mixing in some red or forest green ones, she announced "you know I prefer sets".

For me, I go for a grand mixture of every color (perhaps because I like to imagine throwing a very large Sunday bruch wherein every guest has a different bowl to sip their Joe).

While sometimes necessary, a paper TO GO cup to hold my coffee Just. Won't Do. The day needs to be cherised from the moment I wake up.

I'd love to hear what rituals you afford yourself to help cherish each day...

{French vintage Red striped Latte Bowls; $49--variety over 95 bowls available at www.vintageweave.com)

French Textile Bliss

It's no secret I'm ga-ga crazy for Textiles, and when I happen upon a large roadside sale on the outskirts of Paris, well...my heart is aflutter!

I promise to try and part with as much as these as I can muster...but for now many may very well just live in my kitchen for a wee bit longer! It never gets old looking at their beautiful handiwork....small repairs, minor stains and just the right texture between your thumb and forefingers....ah, a slice of heaven, oui?



Monograms and checks abound...(these three styles shown are $30/ea)


A new favorite from Cote Bastide, bath towels in waffle texture with fringe evoking the old-world textile industry of early 1900's...($90/ea)

The delicate and deliberate monogramming is so delicious! These two shown are of the rarer set and only a few are available...($43/ea these two particular monogram styles)

The darker hemp is always a desired favorite.... ($32/ea)


Pretty in pink, with such delicate motiff...(Tablecloth approx 5x7 $62)

An unbelievably French pattern...I just fell in love with this one. It was sooo pricey but so worth it. Sorry, this 4x6 tablecloth will stay in my home!


With so many grain sacks in, we have started making these fab bed rolls...stuffed with luxurious down feathers...($72/ea)


I love taking French teatowels and using them as interesting "tablecloths" to help set a table...


All are available by emailing or calling us...many up on the website online store soon! vintageweave@aol.com.....323.932.0451....www.vintageweave.com

Grain Sacks Tres Bon

You won't BELIEVE what our favorite French atelier is up to with our beloved vintage grain sacks......(trust us...this doesn't even begin to show you what they've done. We can't show the designs JUST yet...but imagine leather handles on beach totes, grain bag handles on market totes, messenger bags....all repurposing these beloved vintage grain bags.

Totes Coming in Spring!

We've loaded up on a TON of grains sacks and many, many creations forthcoming.... (


Of course, we also stay TRES busy selling these beauties in their original form...grain sacks and wagon covers...

New Inventory in NOW!

French Grain Bags available online soon at vintageweave.com but can be obtained NOW by emailing vintageweave@aol.com or calling 323.932.0451 (Los Angeles) with your requested colorway

Paris Winding Down

It's been a whirlwind and as usual I've packed in far more than a day's hours allow....but with so much treasure hunting to be done....well, leaves little time for sleeping! Besides, that's what the plane ride is for!

Headed back to the States soon....the bounty of treasures are plentiful and I can't wait to start sharing them with you. Well, some for me and some for you! The Euro exchange has vastly improved since my last trip in October so that's been a plus.

After 15+ trips, I am still learning so much with each adventure.

This trip? It's been jaw dropping over the countless and unending celebrations here over newly-inducted President Obama. People are literally turning to us in restaurants when they hear our American accents merely to say "Bravo on your new President!" Even the cab drivers are taking to sharing their elation over this new President.... As Americans I think we often forget the impact our decisions have on the world as a whole....

Whenever I wind down any business trip here, I always feel a bit melancholy to say Au Revoir to the beauty of this magical City, but what I know to really miss are the boulangeries, bistros, and brasseries!

Paris Hunts, Haunts & Home Depot

I love being in Paris (well, that goes without saying, oui?)

A wee bit of snow flurries
Croissants
A temperature not reaching much above 33 degrees (F)
Hats, gloves, boots, scarves
A large, welcoming American Presidential Inaguration celebration/showing at City Hall (free, mind you, to the public; this event is a VERY big deal here in Paris. Very big deal.)
Did I mention, buttery flakey croissants?

Visiting favorite haunts (most fabulous ribbon store, the venerable Paris Gift/Home Decor/Textile World Expo Show, Maison & Objet, at week's end, a textile manufacturing--shhh---where they create fabrics for the likes of Chanel!!).....
........Hunting vintage finds at obscure flea markets and private sales....
...................Shopping the local "home depot" as I work on a client's Paris apartment....

I promise to share details and pics when I return in February....

Au Revoir!

"Oh for the Love of Cheese SALE"

I am a HUGE lover of cheese....all cheese. California and Wisconsin really have some amazing cheese, but for over-the-top heavenly cheese I indulge in French cheese.  WHILE IN FRANCE, I OFTEN WILL ENJOY A LEISURELY LUNCH ON THE LAWNS FACING THE EIFFEL TOWER EATING NOTHING BUT BREAD, SELECTION OF CHEESES AND WINE!

Roquefort is especially yummy so long as you can handle the visible mold indicative of a true blue cheese.

On his way out of office, George W. Bush has decided to triple the import duties on the French cheese in response to the European Union's refusal to import the hormone-laden American beef. QUEL HORROR!

I don't eat red meat and I don't live in France so the latter doesn't affect me. However the duty on French cheese does!!!

In fact,  the president of  France's cheese home region, Martin Malvy, has sent President-elect Obama a specially sealed box of Roquefort to celebrate his swearing in. Monsier Malvy explained: "The inauguration of Barack Obama is a source of great hopes, particularly of better relations between the United States and Europe. I therefore sent this prestigious product of the Pyrenees," What a funny gift! A case of stinky, pungent cheese! Silly French!

My little gift to counteract this annoying duty increase to my beloved Roquefort cheese.....is....well A SALE * SALE * SALE * SALE * SALE!

First for our blog reading friends: A Whopping 20% off any item in Paris Flea Market Accessories and Apothecary* departments of our online store. 

www.vintageweave.com

{A formal sale will be sent out to our mailing list in about a week so you guys are getting first dibs!}

*Sale applies to entire order;
*Does not apply to items already reduced;
*IN STOCK items only; once an item sells out and gets placed on backorder, the savings does not apply. After you place your order we will confirm via email that the item is still in stock;
*Only applicable for items in Paris Flea Market Accessories and Apothecary;
* Sale is NOW through Wednesday, Jan 21 midnight PST;
* Order online and merely type in the Comments Section: CHEESE and the 20% will be applied!