Piazza della Repubblica, Firenze

Herbs and Collections

The Antique Myth

Keith Johnson at Les Merveilles de Babelou
In our more than 15 years shopping in France, we have developed many relationships with dealers and merchants who have become more than business associates, they have become close friends. I was very excited to see one of those people, Francois Casals in his wife's vintage clothing and jewelry boutiques, Les Merveilles de Babelou, featured on Man Shops Globe. This has been an 8 segment series on the Sundance Channel covering the travels of Keith Johnson, buyer for Anthropologie. Check out the video clip! And yes, Mr. Johnson did in fact purchase the fabulous clothing racks.

Wallpaper Sacrilege or Some Thanksgiving Fun
Last Thursday was "Design Week" at the DCOTA (Design Center of the Americas), which featured visits by some pretty big heavy weights in the Design World presenting new lines of furniture or fabrics, etc...Barclay Butera, Kathryn Ireland, Lillian August, Amy Lau to name a few. Popular blogger, Claudia Strasser was at Pierre Deux presenting their new line FCL.com and talking about her French flea market escapades. It's always fun to meet people in person after you've read about them and their lives. One of the best little parties going on while I was visiting during the "Fall Market Event" on Thur

Preparing a Thanksgiving Table
This week, my thoughts have turned to the Thanksgiving holiday. I wanted to create a vintage, French-themed table to inspire my clients. One of my goals was to incorporate some not-so-expensive items, so that my customers don't feel like they have to spend a lot of money to have a be

The New House Project: Out of Doors
When I first introduced you to our New House Project, I showed the facade of the house but did not include photos of the rest of the property. This is mostly because though a beautiful and expansive lot, it had been allowed to grow uncontrollably for several years. Here is the "front patio" area as it was when we arrived:

Rough Luxe and New Directions
"Rough Luxe" is an oxymoron that I have been running into quite frequently and I've been reflecting on this nascent movement (trying to determine what it is and isn't.) The WJS Magazine defines it, when referring to those in their 20's, as "a rejection of the minimalism that dominated