Hurricane Irene Blogging Woes....

Sorry for not posting, but Here in Stamford CT we have no power and no internet as a result. Our terrible electric utility CL&P just started surveying today. Word on the street is that they won't pay overtime to their line crews. Maybe next weekend...

Interieurs...chez Courtney Cox

Ever since the early days of Interieurs, we have had a faithful following of celebrities. Cult celebrity and obsession is not my thing... Famous or not famous, every customer is treated with the same respect and level of service. I have been asked to close the showroom while a certain "famous celebrity " would be shopping, which I would automatically refuse. From Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow to Bon Jovi and numerous others, I have met artists of all types. Half the time, I actually am clueless as to who they are.
One event I clearly remember though, is when  Hilary Swank was in the process of furnishing her apartment. She purchased most pieces from us and did make quite a few visits to our showroom with and without her designer.  I love to talk to creative people about their  craft, and so ended up spending the entire afternoon talking with her about passion, her childhood, poverty, perseverance and its rewards. She truly touched my heart.

In this issue of Elle Decors, Courtney Cox's house is featured, modern, airy with a twist. A client just mentioned to me yesterday that he noticed  Jose Esteves light in the entry shot. I thought I would share this with you. Jose being my favorite interieurs artist, I was very pleased.

Jose Esteves lightind sculpture, proulet standing on a Jacques Adnet etagere

See other Jose Esteves lighting sculpture from the same collection.

A bientot,

Francine

A wedding...behind the scenes

My dining room turned into a floral workroom

As an Interior Designer, I am often called to create environments that incorporate all facets of design and creativity. I love rising to a challenge that is usually outside of my expertise. In such instances, I often advise  clients on travel places, art, collecting artifacts, build book collections to fill in bookshelves with themes that will be of interest to them. I also have been collecting books on landscaping, gardening and suggest clients ideas for  landscaping,  pool, outdoor structures, and type of cut flower gardens. To complete an installation, I arrange flower displays to welcome clients to their newly designed home.

My friend judy and I prepare the center pieces the day before

I have enormous respect for event planners as everything must be timed and done perfectly as you are not given the opportunity for a second chance. The stress level is even more intense than working on a client installation. This was the case for Estera's wedding (see previous post). I thought  my checklist was a perfection...arrangement samples presented and approved by the future bride, vases ordered, flowers specified, counted and ordered with just enough time for them to open to perfection on the wedding day. Well, I forgot one element...the weather. How could I have forgotten about the weather? The last wedding I hosted in my house for my best friend, took place during a hurricane, which flooded my courtyard with 10" of water.

This time around, no rain in sight but 105 degrees temperature. The flowers did not like the relocation  from the  refrigerated storage to our house. For 3 days, we lived with sweaters on and the AC running at full blast. Nevertheless, we endured serious casualties. Mercifully, I had ordered quite a few extra dozens of roses.
Once in the location, the whirlwind started, petals from roses that opened far too fast were strewn over tables.  The centerpieces were arranged at home with my friend Judith, a master gardener and flower designer extraordinaire with serious  experience in weddings. The tall arrangements were done on site, then last minute improvisation for chairs placement, and every detail that did not work as planned due to wind and heat  during the outdoor ceremony.

It all worked out in the end, the bride and her mother stunningly beautiful, the groom elegant and happy and we all celebrated such a dear beautiful couple happiness and danced the night away.

Entrance to the Farm's reception room

The bride's bouquet

Center pieces. 

The Bridal table

A Bientot,

Francine