Saturday, September 27, 2014

Staying ZEN….

I have entered a period of great change and restlessness … so much so that even my two wonderful rescue dogs are picking up on my moods.

I wish that after the numerous trips I've taken to Asia, I would have spent more time listening and absorbing the teaching of Buddhism. My heart and soul gravitates to the Zen philosophy.

Change is scary … in such times, ones needs to find their own peace and reality. My surroundings deeply affect my moods and I find refuge in nature and my home. I am able to capture moments of great but simple beauty, be it a sun ray of pure morning light casting shadows of tree leaves on my walls, the sound of morning dove, the thought of a friend.

All the emotions and feelings are part of the personal journey reflected in my design work.

Share with me a few moments of Bliss, Zen and Beauty ….

These images are from my various Interior Design projects.

Soon InterieursDesign Studio by Francine Gardner is too launch.

Join us on October 14th at Interieurs, 228 East 58th Street for an intimate gathering celebrating our design work and our new website.

Dreaming of a Zen refuge…email me: fgardner@interieurs.com

Monday, September 15, 2014

AD INTERIEURS 2014 AT MUSEE DES ARTS DECORATIFS

September in Paris is always a treat. The weather was gorgeous, dinner with Jose Esteves and Monique Duveau- Cote Sud- an amazing culinary experience at their favorite bistro Paul Bert…not to be missed next time you are in Paris.

I cut my visit to Maisons et Objets down to one day, just enough time to meet with my vendors and be on the look out for new interesting ideas, pieces. The inspirations from Elizabeth Leriche were brilliant…a post to follow.

The highlight of my whirlwind trip to Paris was the AD INTERIEURS 2014 show at the Arts Decoratifs. For the 5th year, AD magazine invited 16 top french designers to create a room based on a piece from The Arts Decoratifs Museum. This show objective is to elevate "l'art De Vivre" to its highest level, reaching out to the most skills artisans and talented architects designers. This is the best representation of French Design.

The dressing room "Dandy" by Christian Auer is based on Michel Boyer monumental chandelier, 1972

The Reading Room by Architects Bismut et Bismut was designed around Jacques Adnet's desk and chair, 1950

The Piano Bar by studio Alberto Pinto was inspired by the Museum piece"Gueridon" by Philippe Hiquily, 1960's

Amazing texture and color of the piano

Vincent Darre imagined a living room within a crate, based on Armand Sculpture#1

Noe Duchaufour Lawrence's design room, a twist on the original piece by George de Feure vitrine, 1900

Beautiful details of the fabric draping

Gilles and Boissier duo desk inspired by an 1860 vitrine "Fleuves"

Jean Francois Graff's inspiration cam from an exquisite Ming Dynastie 14th century vase.

My favorite room by Chahan Minassian, a presidential desk from Cesar,1966

Luis Laplace imagined a latin lover refuge, inspired by a Clement Mere desk, 1923

Isabelle Stanislas room is simply amazing, juxtaposing dorian, marble, glass…modern luxury in its pure form. Her inspiration, a 16th century venetian trunk is housed under glass.

Pierre Yovanovitch living room is inspired by a Biaritz garden chair from Pierre Dariel, 1926

The amazing Bathroom by Charles Zana incorporates an Ettore Scottsass chandelier, 1957

Hope you are inspired...

A Bientot,

Francine

Monday, September 1, 2014

A summer in IBIZA

Years ago, our family and friends would cross the Mediterranean on my parent's motor boat to go and explore Ibiza, famous island in the Baleares. I loved the wildness of this enchanting yet primitive island. The hippies had taken over the ancient town Dal't Villa - the old town- having been thrown out of Katmandu . We were under Franco's era, but Ibiza was free from the Vigilentes and started to become a playground for artists, eccentric wealthy travelers and jet setters.

This island is stunningly beautiful, rich in history, culture and architecture. The now famous fincas had incredible charm. After a few visits to Ibiza, we stopped going to settle in the French Village of Eze Village. The New York Times article about Eze Village, published last week brought a slew of memories….

Years later, I met this handsome, wild guy in Boston whose mother had a beautiful historic house in the old town of Ibiza. He had spent his childhood summers there. As soon as school was over, we would pack up and fly to Ibiza….

The 80's was best experienced in Ibiza, the crazy Pasha, Amnesia clubs, dancing until breakfast. Then sleeping the days away on the beach, suntanning and some swimming.

This is what happens when mixing too much sun and sangria….

That was the life! We have returned many times, Ibiza is now the home of the super jet setters and famous DJ's.

I love the Mediterranean, the architecture of Greece and Ibiza . Welcome to my dream homes!