Design2Share Holiday Wish List: Passiflore Dinnerware from Gien

Word Association

fresh = passion flowers

everyday earthenware = Passiflore

Passiflore = the perfect table

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Baccarat Video Showcases Elegant, Neutral Decor

Blou Je Te Vois Flou Zenith Chandelier, 24 Lights by Baccarat

Irwin Weiner ASID - I enjoyed this marketing video from French crystal manufacturer Baccarat. Aimed at showcasing the Baccarat Residences in the Dubai Pearl, it focuses on a room-by-room tour of a mansion decorated in a very subdued neutral style. Mirrored furniture, silvered and gilt furnishings, golds and beiges and tans and browns - everything emphasises two elements of the decor: the architectural bones of this luxurious space and the glitter and sparkle of the Baccarat accessories, including chandeliers, sconces, vases, wine and glass stems, and barware.

Bedroom in Baccarat Residences at the Dubai Pearl

Yes, it was a kick seeing the amazing Baccarat high-end product line highlighted like this, but it was also instructive to see how effective a neutral - or limited palette - decor can be when coupled with Hollywood Regency style mirrored furnishings and elegant crystal. The silvery and golden tones are picked up with reflected crystal surfaces and the whole is much more than the sum of its parts. That's a good goal for interior design, isn't it?

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Paris Scene: Art Elysees

Irwin Weiner ASID - A distinct pleasure in visiting a city like Paris is soaking up the beautiful art scene. Take your pick for genre, artist, and style in this city filled with many art choices. It was a wonderful opportunity to see the annual Art Elysees exhibits set up along the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, exhibiting private gallery stashes of contemporary art.

In today's featured video, the curator of Galerie Dil talks about Bernard Buffet and other featured French artists from his exhibit. Buffet's 1950s minimal, stark style is extremely expressive, and I enjoyed the equally spare interpretation of some of his exhibited pieces, particularly the one which described a sailboat scene as being "filled with dreams."

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Paris Concept Store Hones in on Contemporary Design

 Irwin Weiner ASID - About ten days ago, Jay and I explored MERCI, a Parisian shopping concept store that provided a fresh and startling mix of new and used merchandise, but the merchandise extended into categories like fashion, home accessories and furnishings, kitchen and bath, and books - and some great all-natural foods and a fresh take on the bistro scene. My Little Paris, a blog we love when it comes to one of our favorite cities, describes the store as follows.

Welcome to MERCI, a store which is lovely, lovable and loving. It’s located in a majestic, sun-lit loft where you can browse from room to room just like in a real house. Stop and look through an old-fashioned trunk spilling over with unique creations and finally find that little dress nobody else has yet to wear! Don’t forget to buy a tiny bunch of roses at the flower shop, and cuddle up on a sofa in the book corner as you check out the latest literary sensation and sip a well-earned lemonade. You’re not going to believe this, but you’ll be raising money! The profits the store makes on your purchases are donated to charities.

Charitable donations - count us in! We love to shop responsibly, and this was a great way to make our purchases count. So what about the home design scene at MERCI? Big thumbs up all around. We thought the collection of home goods was amazingly well curated. One-of-a-kind architectural and antique finds cuddle up playfully with some truly hip and beautiful furnishings. Here are a few examples; click on each photo for more information, and sign up for MERCI's newsletter so you can enjoy their upcoming online shopping experience.

Pressed Chair, Aluminum, by Harry Thaler for Moormann

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