Merry Christmas!

From my home to yours, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy Chanukah!

My sentries...

In lieu of snow, white roses...

Tree trimmed, Living room in its winter cool colors...

presents wrapped...

Table ready...

My job is done, I will now enjoy a few moments of rest and Christmas bliss while waiting for our friends to share Christmas with us.

On Luke's menu (husband, father, chef): Foie Gras with grape reduced coulis, Canard (duck) a l'orange with his signature persian rice, greens and other varied vegetables and of course, Buche de Noel

on the wine list, a wonderful Chateau Yquem 1983, Pomerol, Roederor Cristal champagne and our very own "eau de source" or well water.

Joyeux Noel a tous mes amis... Merry Christmas to you my friends...

Francine

F A O Schwartz:Design your own Muppet

Brilliant! Genius idea!
 A couple of days ago, I met my dear friend Suzanne at F A O Schwartz on our way to visit her friend's new apartment on Park. Fabulous apartment, a New York dream...
Suzanne was designing a muppet for my favorite little man in the world, her son Asher.
I was enthralled and felt as if I had entered a world of childhood characters, or Santa workshop and I so badly wanted to be a kid again. The concept is  ingenious, clear and simple, pure marketing brilliance, one only has to look at the line of mothers waiting to create a Muppet to capture the success story of the Muppet Whatnot workshop.

First, you pick the Muppet body and then pick the eyes, nose, hair, outfit. I watched, mesmerized as Asher's Muppet was coming to life. If you are a proud mother of a toddler, happens to live or travel through New York City, this is a must!!

Asher's muppet: The Mad Doctor

The Mad Doctor going home

Get started, mothers, grandmothers, go for it and have a little fun,

check here:

A Bientot,

Francine

Last minute shopping at Interieurs

I need to constantly remind myself how much I love Christmas! All the endless lists for the Christmas lunch arrangement, guest list, menu...my husband and I are not in agreement over the menu... I am threatening to cook! My poor guests if i have to actually live up to my threat... and the shopping! I have a gift for each guest, wrapped of course, plus gifts for family in France and in the US, Interieurs team, everyone who helps with my house from the housekeeping to gardening etc... I also need to add I have no patience standing in line. This past weekend was spent hopping from store to store shopping for gifts and bathroom tiles and accessories, bathtubs, sink... anything needed for a bathroom. A small guest bathroom needed fixing and ended up being gutted. I had one day to design the bathroom, layout the plan, specify all plumbing and electrical components and fixtures, all floor and wall covering by this morning.

All specs are ready, I kept it simple, white and modern... will show you the finished product when it is all done.

Meanwhile, I think I will finish my shopping are Interieurs!  Enjoy my curated gift guide, hopefully my friends and guest will too...

As we say in French, Bonne Fetes!

Interieurs Holiday Gift Giving Guide 2011

Vintage Suzani Pillows $345

Amethyst by Christopher Marley $260

Glass Sculptures with Stand $490 each

Collectors Vase Candles $60 $110 $250

Purple Urchin Stemware $33 each

Woven Pillows by Aissa Dione $170 - $260

Kpando Pottery $79 - $195

Hand-Carved Mahogany Rhinocerous $490

Horn Salad Servers $60

Driftwood Serving Tray $250

Jaana Necklace made in Thailand $545

Bernardo Serving Tray $195

Globus Fossil Vases $70 / $140

Antique Burmese Puppet $290

Rustic Metal Bowl $85

Ceramic Volcano Flowers $66 $150 $165

Handblown Glass Ornaments $30 each

Test Tube Flower Vases $55

Crystal Decanteur $150

Avani Fireplace with screen $870

Vintage 3000 Watt Industrial Bulb $250

Cream Egg Table Lamp or Pendant Light by Jose Esteves $1,250

Ming Tableware Set $195

Rina Menardi Collection at Interieurs (please inquire)

New York Glitter...Saks 5th Avenue windows

I will admit I am a Saks shopper. We have a smaller Saks in Greenwich and all my favorite designers are under one roof, Prada now on Sale.... that is a really tough call...it is going to take all my willpower to resist... after all, we only live once, we might as well enjoy it and go for it!

Meanwhile, I just loved their windows which totally embraced my design sensibility, the rough utilitarian with the beautiful, glamorous sophisticated. Hope you enjoy!

An Enchanted Evening:By Invitation Only

I am in a mood to party.... in grand style of course!

Swarovski windows at Harrod's

The invitation of the season! I am absolutely thrilled to be invited to Tina's magnificent new home for a Holiday Celebration on December 23rd... even though this is a virtual invitation... I just had the most fabulous time getting my outfit for the occasion.

Just flew back from France last night and made a little detour via Paris. From the CDG airport went directly to my favorite designer Loris Azzaro whose couture house I have been faithful to for years. I had once been invited to an imperial wedding in Japan and trusted Loris Azzaro for the perfect dress. Ever since I run to him for any special occasion. The evening affair at Tina's is certainly a reason to visit his Studio.
Being in Paris for one day only, I had to be quick and decisive.

Here is the dress! I always wear black and love simple elegant dresses yet with a touch of sexi-glam

 

Of course the shoe is a detail that can make or kill an outfit. I decided on a Miu Miu little evening shoe.

New York being cold in December, I needed a coat. I trusted Valentino Couture House to have the perfect coat, in my size of course...

 

To accessorize the outfit, I will wear a vintage Cartier white gold and diamond watch, a simple Van Cleef and Arpels dragonfly pined on my dress as the only jewelry and my beloved crocodile bag that once belonged to my grand mother

 

 

 

Now, the subject of the hostess gift...

Tina's new home being a French Style Grand House , I felt that a little Lalique was appropriate.

 

As for the host, a bottle of my favorite Perrier Jouet Pink millesime 2002

Please check in with Marsha at Splenderosa to see what every one else will be wearing!

A Bientot,

Francine

 

Linda O Keefe "Brilliant" book launch at Interieurs - December 7

Linda O'Keeffe is a brilliant editor and stylist. I have known Linda for so many years and have had the privilege to work with her on several of my projects while she was the creative director at Metropolitan Home. Linda has a deeply personal approach in her work which results in no useless frills to distract from the integrity of amazing design.

Her latest book "Brilliant" is exactly what its title states: BRILLIANT!

I am thrilled to have photographs from some of my projects included in this new book, and even more exciting, Linda has honored me by including photographs I took while traveling through Bhutan.

If you are in New York on December 7th, please join us, meet Linda and enjoy a glass of champagne... 

Linda photographed by Tim Street Porter in her Catskills home

A Bientot,

Francine

New York Holiday glitter...Tiffany's fantasy windows

I love NewYork at Christmas time, the glitter, the fantasy, the rush, the crowds, New york is alive and in its full magical splendor. 

I would not miss Tiffany's windows. Last year, I featured their window displays which were absolutely stunning in their details, the intricate art of paper sculpture. Once again, Tiffany's put up a splendid display of Carousels and created a marvelous fantasy land. Every year I can be a child again (even if just for  few minutes)... Enjoy!

Stay tune, more  holiday windows to come

A Bientot,

Francine