Travel is an essential building block to my creative process. Anytime I start feeling overwhelmed or hit that dreaded “creative block” (it happens to the best of us, friends), travel is one of the things I crave to help me unlock my creative flow. I’ve always been enthralled with other cultures, perspectives, languages, landscapes, art, architecture… you name it. Interior design is an artistic expression of these valuable lives we lead, and immersing myself in the various ways that people live all over our beautiful planet helps me to elevate that artistic expression in my work. Let’s dive into part one of this little Travel & Design series, shall we? Our first stop is a design classic, and is always the chicest of chic: Paris, France.
The Thing About Paris…
The thing about Paris is that it will always be THE thing. The city of romance is one of the most artistically timeless places I’ve ever been, and it will always be a go-to for inspiration. I mean, how many movies, books, or pieces of art have you seen that feature Paris? Like any big city, it’s heavily commercialized for tourists and you certainly have to seek out the truest expressions that are sometimes a bit off the beaten path, but the spirit is there and SO alive. Let’s dive into a few of my favorite Paris highlights:
The gardens tucked away everywhere are one of my favorite things about European cities, and Paris is no exception. I love strolling down a bustling street and finding a little gated garden off to the side every few blocks where you can stop to breathe and take in the moment. It was drizzly for several days while we were there, but honestly, I didn’t mind in the least. It just brought out the scents of the recently bloomed flowers and made it all the more magical.
We also did our fair share of sightseeing since it was my husband’s first time in the city. We couldn’t squeeze in everything I wanted to this time around (Paris flea market… I’m coming for you someday), but the things we did see were spectacular. The thing about sightseeing in Paris is that you really can’t go wrong. The main highlights we were able to pack into our few days there were:
Saint Chapelle Chapel (also a prison at one time, that held Marie Antoinette before her execution) is one of my favorite stained glass exhibits, and churches in general, I’ve ever seen. Seriously, if you haven’t been, you need to go.
The Jardin du Luxembourg was so lovely…
… and then we also popped into the Pantheon when it was raining (it’s relatively nearby). The architecture of the building was incredible alone, but the sculptures and the crypts were wildly epic too. The scale is just massive.
We were, of course, sure to take a dinner cruise down the Seine past Notre Dame (still under construction, unfortunately) and the Eiffel tower in the evening, and we also trekked to the Sacre Coeur, Monmarte (the arts district), and Le Marais ( the historic, medieval district of Paris. More on that below!).
A half-day trip to Versailles was well worth it, and could be an entire blog post in itself. If you haven’t been before, picture it in your mind and then quadruple that size (or more). It’s gigantic and SO ornate. My favorite part of that experience was actually the Trianons (separate “mini palaces” on the Versailles estate), which were less French Baroque inside and a bit more Rococo. The Grand Trianon and Petite Trianons were built for the royal women, and apparently, also for the various Kings’ visits with their mistresses).
Favorite Eats…
The Alfred restaurant was hands down my favorite place we ate the entire trip. The interior was inspired by the Les Corbusier modernist movement in Paris in the 1930s. The vibe was 10/10 and the food was incredible! Don’t miss out on the onion tarte if you go. I’m still dreaming about it.
We also went to a Souffle restaurant aptly named, “Le Souffle“, with the BEST souffle I’ve ever eaten in my life. They also had these killer little baguettes that they brought out as an appetizer and I swear they were the best ones we had in Europe.
Lastly, street vendor crepes are a must in Paris. It’d be criminal to NOT stop for some.
That “je ne sais quoi” blend…
Well, several big European cities do a beautiful job of this, but I noticed it is the most pronounced in Paris; they BLEND styles so brilliantly. I’ve always been a sucker for spaces that tell a story and aren’t afraid to mix and match styles and design eras. People aren’t one-dimensional by any means, so why should the places they occupy be? In Paris, this mysterious magic mix is everywhere; it’s in their buildings, it’s in their food, it’s in their fashion, and of course, it’s in their interiors. Just look at the Louvre, as a massive example, with its stunning original building (home of Louis XIV) and incredible glass pyramid entrance added to the center of the expansive courtyard:
The buildings in central Paris are mostly OLD (the depth of history around every literal corner just blows my mind). Therefore, most have required extensive renovations inside to keep up with modern living standards. But here’s the thing, in the midst of all of that renovating, they haven’t lost their soul. The city is still positively brimming with it and they are (rightfully) proud of that too. Amid incredibly ornate architectural and sculptural details, you’ll also see chic, sleek, and modern additions everywhere, carefully and thoughtfully woven into the city’s fabric, making it drip with interest.
I was meandering down an (admittedly very touristy) cobblestone street of shops in Le Marais, espresso cup in hand, admiring the incredible detail on the rows upon rows of stunning buildings original from Medieval Paris, when I came across a chic row of little clothing boutiques, makeup stores, and a furniture & design shop. They stopped me in my tracks, not because they didn’t fit the decadent building they resided in, but because they really “popped” and shined within them. This sweet design store beckoned each passerby with a seemingly vintage globe lamp and a classic leather sofa (reminiscent of a Le Corbusier style) just behind it. It felt paired back and stately at the same time. It just worked; perfectly framed within an old wooden door and window, surrounded by a classic French exterior.
Where We Stayed…
We stayed at the sweetest boutique hotel called the Hotel La Tamise which was right across the street from the Jardin des Tuileries (right across from the Tuileries metro station and about a 10-minute walk to the Louvre – a perfect location.) I 10/10 recommend this place if you’re looking for a place that’s centrally located but is still pretty quiet and a little bit removed from the beaten path. Everyone was so friendly and our small but mighty room (they all are in Europe, folks), and the entire hotel, was beautifully renovated. Just peep that original railing in the stairwell… See what I mean? They really know how to flex those original details, don’t they? Stunning.
Suffice it to say that while we’re happy to be back home with our kiddos and Colorado fam, we’ll be dreaming of repeating a visit to Paris for a long time to come. That grandeur, romance, and “je ne sais quoi spirit” is all alive and well. To me, Paris represents that perfect balance and blend of honoring what’s been, living in the present moment, and looking to the future. It’s all about that mix. That fearless and bold mix.
Xoxo,
Alyssa
P. S. Stay tuned for more Travel & Design tidbits from a few other favorite destinations! Have you been to Paris? What are your overall impressions of the city, or what are some of your favorite inspirational destinations abroad? Leave me a comment below! I always love hearing from you.
P.S.S. ; ) Are you ready to embark on your home or small business interior design journey? I can’t wait to hear from you (Contact me here for more info!) and to help you create a space you’ll love for years to come!