The Catroux Style

One of my main inspirations for my personal style as well as my home style has been this single picture you see above of Betty Catroux taken in her home in Paris in the 70’s.  The apartment was designed by her husband François…. That picture to me is everything. It could have easily been taken in the 70s, 80s, 90s or even today…. Catroux’s interiors from the 70s remain timeless because he knew how to mix the modern classics with warm or rustic pieces of furniture in a modern yet eclectic way.

Recently Catroux redid their apartment … I am not sure whether it was a full renovation or he just added on to the apartment because I recognize a lot of art work and furniture pieces from their 70s pictures that I came across on the net!.. I love that I can’t tell exactly what he did and where he did it… the revamped apartment feels like its continuing their story rather than trying to make a new one!

Here’s the living room, do you see what I mean? It looks so eclectic and modern. Again this could easily be a Catroux apartment from the 70s, 80s, 90s or even today!…

As always he not only mixed styles and periods but layered them in a way only he could do!  There are pieces that the couple had for decades, such as the rustic colossal African mask and the 1995 portrait of Betty by Philippe de Lustrac.

I just love Betty’s office. François designed the built-in cabinetry all around the room. I love that she put a casual photograph of her late best friend Yves Saint Laurent in front of another photograph.

The painting above the sofa is by Emmanuel Gondouin from the 1930s. That Noguchi coffee table is one of my favorite tables. It’s so timeless and so fit for this beautiful library. 

Even though that first picture will still be closer to my style than the current apartment, this is still my favorite home. It’s my favorite home for many reasons ( which I stated above) but mainly because it’s simply a home of a couple who have been married for 50 years (1968) who with the new renovations seems to be looking forward to living together for many years to come!

 

 

Hermès Window Display by Frank Plant

This post has been sitting in my draft box waiting for me to remember it since January!! I can’t believe that I totally forgot about it!!

 Hermès always manages to create beautiful window displays. This year they have commissioned the sculptor Frank Plant to design their windows… I loved it so much that I thought it is worth posting even if its so late!!

Better late than never right?

Book of the Week: Alexandre Reza

One of my favorite stores in Paris is Alexandre Reza in 21 Place Vendôme. It’s an exclusive Paris atelier that has some of the highest quality of jewels. I can’t wait to receive my copy….I have a feeling that it would be one of those books that would always cheer me up when am feeling down!!!! 😉

Via NET-A-PORTER.COM.

Book Of The Week: Travel Wisdom In Your Pocket

I love this set. It has Berlin, London, New York, and Paris all covered in three volumes per city. It tells you which Hotels, Restaurants, and Shops to go to…..with beautiful hand-illustrated maps and some useful informations such as opening hours and prices… I highly recommend this set of books if you are traveling to anyone of these cities any time soon!

My Favorite Highlights include:

London: Number 16, a chic South Kensington hotel in a beautiful Victorian townhouse with romatic gardens, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s restaurant which we love and of course the Dover Street Market.

New York: The Maritime Hotel, a former sailors’ dorm, now Chelsea’s coolest hotel, the Waverly Inn, Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter’s exclusive salon, and where to buy New York’s best cheesecake (very important for people with a sweet tooth like me!).

Paris: The original Ladurée, the best macaroons in the city, and my favorite go to fashion concept store Colette.

TASCHEN Books