City Design Guide: Paris
It's Valentine's Day – and where better to shop for interiors than in the city of love and light.
Last month I visited Paris for a couple of days to attend the annual Deco Off show which is an extension of a huge home trade fair on the edge of the city. Deco Off has been created for all the textile (fabric and wallpaper) companies to show off their new collections. The streets around St Germain are swathed in fabric and there are parties and drinks in many of the shops.
Many years ago (more than 30) I lived in Paris for a couple of years and it’s always a joy to return. For those of us in the UK it’s an easy trip by train and so I thought I would share some of my favourite interior design destinations with you, for next time you are there.
1 LA REDOUTE AM PM SHOP
Regular readers will know that I’m a huge fan of this French store’s website for rugs and textiles – but did you know it has real-life shops in Paris as well? And on that basis it won’t surprise you to know that you can get stuff there that isn’t online or available in the UK. Last year there was a fabulous sofa collaboration with, possibly, Sezane. But don’t quote me on that – I didn’t write it down because I was so cross we couldn’t get it in the UK.
However, I have another good tip for you and this one IS open to everyone. I went to the super elegant Hausmannian apartment of the designer Alma Canovas whose home will shortly be featured in The Sunday Times. There, among the elegant panelled walls, high ceilings, and super comfy sofas was a glass and metal coffee table covered in coffee table books, candles, and ornaments. It looked amazing and no I didn’t take a picture because I felt shy (go figure). Anyway, I asked her about it and she replied: “Isn’t it brilliant? It’s the Sybil from Le Redoute. I tell all my clients to buy it.”
And so I’m passing that on to you. And in the meantime, I’ve ordered one for my house in Italy. I also have two of these Tonia rugs which are supersoft underfoot and very affordable given the size.