Friday, July 31, 2009

Merci!

In case you missed this...


After selling their children's-wear label 'Bonpoint',
Marie-France and Bernard Cohen
have opened a fabulous Parisian concept store called 'Merci'.

With a desire to embark on a new challenge,
they also wanted to create a business that
gave back something to the world
(all
profits go to children's charities in Madagazcar and India).




Located in an old 1500 square meter wallpaper warehouse,
'Merci' boasts
lofty 'market-place' layout with a arty but relaxed homely feel
where shoppers can walk from room to room
and experience a totally new lifestyle concept as they go.








There are corners that resemble a book store,
a cafe, a gallery, a vintage clothes boutique,
a flea market, a local florist, a crafts corner,
a designer warehouse etc - all done in exquisite style.




To add to the mystique and draw on people's desire to 'discover',
shoppers are encouraged to dig through
old chests overflowing with clothes,
flick through dresses hanging in an old-fashioned armoire,
pull out drawers filled with things to buy,
or simply climb up the step ladder in the library
of vintage books to find the perfect item to purchase.






All merchandise is bought at manufacturer's cost and
the discount is passed on to the shoppers,

and with clothing lines like YSL, Stella McCartney,
and Bonpoint as well as furniture collections created especially for Merci,
it’s hard to resist walking out of there empty handed.



Elle Decoration UK quotes Marie-France saying;
"I wanted to create a human place,
not a ghetto of luxury or a bargain-basement stereotype
",
and "Merci reflects the way we live today:
no one buys only inexpensive things or only high-end pieces,
they mix. It's like life - no one is just one thing
.".


I think she got it absolutely right - merci Mari-France!


MERCI, 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais - 3rd
Tel : 00 33 1 42 77 00 33
Open daily Monday to Saturday 10am-8pm
Métro: Saint Sébastien Froissard, Line 8


Some other places you can read about 'Merci' here:
un
deux
trois
...bon nuit!





Cottage Cute

Inspired by the fantastic images from Mayfield Vinyard, I thought I'd share these deliscious little 'visual lollies' from the recent catalogues from 'Green Gate' and other Danish sites.


Tucked away somewhere in Danish heaven!

Yes please..







Mayfield Vineyards


Friends of mine recently stayed at Mayfield Vineyard
(in Orange NSW Australia),and came back so smitten
I decided to share some of their pictures on this blog.


You can stay in the two charming
little cottages located on the grounds,
sip many of the fabulous wines produced at Mayfield,
eat at their restaurant and generally immerse yourself
in the divine landscape of rolling hills.



The vineyard was recently awarded
'Best Winery of the Orange Region'..
as if you needed another excuse to go there..

Mayfield Vineyard is now on my list of places to visit in 2009!


For more information visit their website or contact charlotte@mayfieldvineyard.com.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

G'nite!

With an average of 4 hours of sleep per night over the past ten days,
my body has finally decided that enough is enough...
I am off to bed un-glamorously early and bid you a Good Night
with the picture of this wonderful stool.


xCharlotta

La piece de la resistance!

Following on from my last post
about Ork Poster's amazing collection of 'typographic maps',
I wanted to share with you some amazing pictures
of Mark Andrew Webber's linocarving of Paris
(click here for full Flickr steam).

Can't wait to see the prints!




xCharlotta

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Graphic brilliance worth all the wall space you have!

'Ork Posters'
is a Chicago based company founded by
Ms Jenny Beorkrem
whose typographic treats are irresistable!


In case you haven't already visited the website
I urge you to do so now...



Not that you will need any encouragement
to place an order (the posters are great!),
but these talented people also give 2%
of all sales to non-profit organizations
(e.g. 'HEAL Africa')...

xCharlotta


Saturday, July 25, 2009

The Perfect Party

Amy Atlas
Crisp event magic with a modern graphic twist.









My art blog


I welcome you to visit my art blog.

Chalkboard eggs!

I say good night and leave you with this seriously cute chalkboard egg by Mary Kate McDevitt.


Sleep tight!

xCharlotta

Art and Bavarian Bear Monsters To Love...

I recently stumbled across a very talented and brilliant artist named Matte Stephens whose list of artistic references is very impressive!
You can see his very extensive photo stream on Flickr (just click here), on Etsy (here). You can subscribe to his blog by clicking here.

I am not sure what I love the most - the actual pictures or their titles.. :)

"Bavarian Bear Monster"



"Riding her rented bike through the woods"



"Lillian playing with an abstract thought"



"Although Admiral Seymour Doughtridge was a rather stern man he always had a soft spot for sea lions" (...my favourite title!!)


"Edwin and Rosemary upon arriving at Yosemie for their honeymoon were lucky enough to spot a rare green soft friendly tooth bear"

I want to own a whole bunch of these!!

xCharlotta

Friday, July 24, 2009




I think every blogger (and his/her dog..) will remember their very first blog award..! That sheer joy & blushing pride of having been nominated. It's like warm virtual hug and a reassuring acknowledgement that the blog had been noticed, liked, and even deemed worthy of such public recognition. A celebration of friendship and each other!
I have been lucky to receive some truly flattering awards by blogger friends who I admire and love deeply.  
Each award is carefully & lovingly stored here along with my deepest gratitude. 
THANK YOU my darlings. Without you, blogging would be no fun!

 

Love to my dear friend Linda and our wonderful sisterhood! xxx







Thank you Nicole - First House on the Right


















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