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  • 10.26.15 Architecture & Details / Cabinetry & Millwork / Interiors & Antiques / Lifestyle

    Sunday Drive – A Lazy Day in Paris

    Architecture & Details / Cabinetry & Millwork / Interiors & Antiques / Lifestyle
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    There are days when you travel that, for one reason or another, turn into lazy days. The day Sally and I visited the Orangerie to see Monet’s Waterlilies exhibit was one of those days. We slept in, had a late breakfast and wandered down toward the Place Vendome, Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden and the Louvre.

    I think we unconsciously wanted to soak up the vibe of the city.

    paris bicycle planter; photographer John Kelsey

    I can’t begin to tell you how many pictures of doors I took… Their artistry and craftsmanship offer a hint/glimpse of what possibilities await behind those doors. Look at the majesty of their presentation! The freedom of expression in the detailing was something we saw everywhere and is clearly an integral part of French style and design expression.

    Paris door; photographer John Kelsey

    Often you would see the main entry door assembly preserved, wile the adjacent storefront was quite modern. Here the designers let the door assembly remain the focal point. Well done!!!

    Paris door; photographer John Kelsey

    Contrasted with this hotel entry. Although perhaps this used to be part of an open arcade and and been filled in at some point in time.

    Paris door; photographer John Kelsey

    Fabulous “coining” frames these doors.

    Paris door; photographer John Kelsey

    We took  a leisurely stroll thru Place de Vendome. Both the obelisk and The Ritz were undergoing extensive restoration/renovation.

    Place de Vendome; photographer John Kelsey

    Scaffolding covering the Ritz was printed to mirror the elevation of the building. We saw this where ever there was construction in a public square/place, minimizing the visual disruption of the area. Wish this were done it the USA!

    The Ritz; photographer John Kelsey

    We wandered up Rue de Richelieu and found a lovely bistro full of locals for lunch. (Photo taken later that evening…)

    Bistrot Richelieu; photographer John Kelsey

    There was a fair amount of people watching done in the Tuileries Garden. This was as close as we got to the Arc de Triomphe. There were only so many places we could visit in the time we had and our ultimate goal of the trip was to get up close and personal with traditional French interiors – to learn and  observe as much as we could about that are the basic building blocks of classic French interiors and how do they relate to each other. I had some theories and ideas, I wanted to see how they compared to the “real thing”.

    Arc de Triomphe; photographer john Kelsey

    We teased ourselves by walking thru one of the colonnades at the Louvre.

    The Louvre colonnade; photographer John Kelsey

    We then headed to our day’s destination, The Orangerie Museum and Monet’s Water Lilies exhibit.

    Orangerie Museum; photographer John Kelsey

    The Orangerie was originally designed to shelter the orange trees planted in the Tuileries garden. In 1921 the Orangerie became an annex to the Musee du Luxembourg. In 1922 Monet signed a contract donating the waterlilies panels to the French government  with the intent they ben housed in the Orangerie. The exhibit finally opened to the public in mid 1927.

    Orangerie Museum; photographer John Kelsey

    An two oval shaped rooms were designed specifically for Monet’s paintings. The paintings are breathtakingly beautiful.

    Monet gallery in Musee de l'Orangerie Paris; source unknown

    Monet gallery in Musee de l'Orangerie Paris; source unknown

    Monet gallery in Musee de l'Orangerie Paris; source unknown

    As we came out of the museum I couldn’t resist capturing the juxtaposition of the Grand Palais in the distance with the workers erecting a temporary pavilion in the foreground.

    View toward the Grand Palais; photographer John Kelsey

    Seeing this Ferrari and Lamborghini parked in the Place de la Concorde was a classic reminder of the ever present dynamic tension between old and new.

    Ferrari in Place de la Concorde; photographer John Kelsey

    By this time Sally and I had worked up quite an appetite, so we set off to find Willi’s Wine Bar, where we had a fabulous meal! The wine was pretty darn good, too…

    Willi's Wine Bar Interior; photographer John Kelsey

    This was where the serious food photography began…

    Willi's Wine Bar dinner; photographer John Kelsey

    As some of you know, I’m a bit of a wine guy and I took full advantage of the opportunity to try new and different wines. I wish I could find this Voignier from Domaine Roland Grangier in the US.

    Willi's Wine Bar, Domaine Roland Grangier; photographer John Kelsey

    And for dessert I wanted something different… This lovely wine Vin de Paille from Domaine Pignier in Jura was out of this world! The grapes are picked and sun dried and are not pressed until January/February. The wine is not bottled for several years. It is also known as straw wine.  What was it like? Similar to a Sauterne, but with it’s own distinct character and style. Another wine I wish I could find here.

    Domaine Pignier, Vin de Paille; photographer John Kelsey

    There’s something about night time and the city lights of Paris – an immediacy encouraging you to look closely at your surroundings. As we stepped outside the wooden entry gates to the National Library of France beckoned to us. The  building complex is currently undergoing a major renovation.

    National Library Gate; photographer John Kelsey

    We wandered back down Rue de Richelieu taking in the sights before we found a cab back to our hotel.

    Hausmann style restaurant ceiling; photographer John Kelsey

    A boutique hotel lobby.

    Paris boutique hotel lobby; photographer John Kelsey

    We checked out the competition…

    interior design shop and studio in Paris; photographer John Kelsey

    And wished we had the energy to stay up later into the evening…

    Back streets of Paris; photographer John Kelsey

    Tomorrow, the Louvre!

    Cheers,

    John

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    4 Comments

    Cancel reply

    1. Penelope Bianchi says:
      October 27, 2015 at 6:02 am

      What a wonderful post! I was right there with you!

      Gorgeous doors…..all of it!

      Brilliant! And thank you for taking me!!!!!

      XXOO

      Penelope

      Reply
      1. John says:
        October 28, 2015 at 5:18 pm

        Glad you came along for the ride, Penny!
        Sally and I enjoyed your company!

        Cheers,
        John

        Reply
    2. debra at 5th and state says:
      October 27, 2015 at 8:36 am

      lovely!! having just returned myself i too found many great wines i am so disappointed to know i cannot find in the us. a reason to return!
      debra

      Reply
      1. John says:
        October 27, 2015 at 12:12 pm

        As a good friend told us before we left for Paris. There are no bad restaurants or wine. I’m not sure that is totally true, but we were certainly never disappointed.

        Cheers,
        John

        Reply
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