Video Walking Tour of Paris Design District

Irwin Weiner ASID - Thanks a million to the folks at EditorTV for bringing us some of the best interior design "happenings" on video. In these two featured videos today, they've taken two of the most iconic names in textile design today - Crans Baldwin of Donghia and Ludovic Darricau of Elitis - and brought them to one another's showrooms (and also to Donghia's Rubelli showroom) to see the latest textile designs (along with the cool 3D wall murals from Elitis) and landmarks of the Paris design district. 

In this first video, we begin our walking tour and showroom field trips ...

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Academy Award Movie Designs - Paris Nouveau-Steampunk Style in "Hugo"

Irwin Weiner ASID - I grumble about having to go to the movies, but sometimes I'm absolutely delighted by the experience ... once I'm sitting down and feeling swept away by a good story. I love shopping for interiors with clients in Paris, and that's why I so loved watching the visual 3D treat that was Hugo, an Academy Award nominee this year for Best Picture and Art Direction, among other accolades.

The styling of this Martin Scorsese movie was amazing. The details of Paris interiors and public spaces like libraries, opera houses, movie theaters, and the train station were precise and mindblowing. There was a heavy steampunk feel to the movie, as we went behind the scenes of the train station and saw 3D steam coming from elaborate pipe systems and the intricate gears and fittings of the illuminated clock tower. 

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Academy Award Movie Designs - Southern Sixties Style in "The Help"

Irwin Weiner ASID - I have enjoyed so many movies this past year - and I'm not a huge movie fan. D2S readers know that I do, however, love movie interiors, particularly those that stylishly portray another era.

The Help was one such movie, and it deserved to be nominated for Academy Awards in acting, with memorable turns by Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain (she's in two best picture nominees this year: The Help and The Tree of Life), Emma Stone, Sissy Spacek, Allison Janney, Cicely Tyson, Mary Steenburgen, and Bryce Dallas Howard playing the Southern Belle on steroids. 

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Hot Home Decorating Trend - African Style

Irwin Weiner ASID - It's not just that I'm noticing this trending towards all-things African in interior design just because I'm from Africa. It's fairly obvious that something has trended towards the masses and it's a big story when you're seeing the front of Home Goods stores plastered with African accessories and tabletop items.

Vernacular African decor uses lots of hand-carved wood, beautiful lacquered finishes, large scale, bold design, and bright prints ranging from overscale florals to metallics and animal skins. "Natural" is what it's all about, but I'd say it's more "super-natural," a bit larger than life, yet still warm, generous, and inviting.

There are colonial influences in traditional African design along with the dominant native motifs. You'll enjoy the following video we just took in my native Cape Town. Jay spent time interviewing Moenieba and Lesley at Colonial House Design. The interior design house and manufacturer typifies the trendiness of the African design movement in everything they create and customize for their clients. Some of their iconic furnishings and accessories are shown in the above photos and in our video. Enjoy!

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