LA MAISON HERMES & PUIFORCAT

We travelled to Paris on a 5am train to the hidden silver workshop of Hermes and Puiforcat. The manufacturers had  invited us to see how the silverware is created, and the meet the artisans who craft these beautiful objects. 

Once one understands the time and craftsmanship that goes into making luxury goods (from handbags, cars and watches etc.) one understands why it must cost so much. It takes around 10 years to train to be a silversmith, and the love of their craft translates into the pieces.

We were given our tour by Hermes' top Silversmith - a friendly and passionate Frenchman that didn't speak any English, called Arnold. 

We were greeted by tea, coffee and fruits in a workshop. The walls were covered in tools and equipment that have been specially made by the silversmiths for the Puiforcat silverware. They have been using tools like these for hundreds of years with little changes. 

These silversmiths make all the tools and products by hand. They curve the silver by beating it with hammers, using heat, fire, polishers and acid until it is smooth and mirror-perfect. They engrave the metals using microscopes and free hand drawing. It’s a time consuming but magical process. 

We were lucky with the timing of our visit. The artisans had just completed the silver coffee and tea service in the photos below. This design was first created for Emperor Joseph I the King of Germany - only 10 have been made since its first production in 1759.

This set took a year and half to complete and retails for approximately 500,000 Euros!

The latest collection - Puiforcat Orfevre-Sommelier, is a collection of wine glasses and decanters that were designed by Puiforcat, London based designer Michael Anasassiades and 'World's Best Sommelier 2004' Enrico Bernardo.

We visited Enrico Bernardo's Michelin star Parisian restaurant, IL VINO for a meal paired with wines selected by the sommelier using the new collection.

Scallops 

Truffle something or other

Lobster 

Citrus sorbet

Then full of food we travelled back to London on the 4 pm train, un merveilleux mercredi! 

INTERIORS & EXTERIORS

I did a course at the Inchbald School of Design, a specialist Interior Design school. It was the best learning experience I've had. The lecturer was so passionate and informed about the history of interiors and architecture. 

Since then I have been on a path that I hope will eventually lead to designing and decorating properties. 

One of the most fun parts of creating a space is making the mood board. 

Here are a few of the interiors and designers that are currently on my inspiration radar.

India Mahdavi 

Epic Epic Epic. Top of my list as my favourite public space designer.

India Madahvi is the reigning queen of colour "It's the best way to bring sunshine into a space," says the Paris-based interior designer. "Sunshine is happiness, and my work is about happiness."
- Architectural Digest, Sept. 2016.

Tips

Don’t be afraid of keeping the same colour throughout your scheme. Use the furniture as art and accent pieces to create pops of interest. You can't go wrong being brave! 

Ashley Stark

Stark is the creative director at Stark Carpets, if you haven’t been on her Instagram yet you have to check it out @ashleystark

India Hicks

English aristocrat and Princess Diana’s flower girl grows up to be blonde boho model goddess, moves to Bahamas with her beautiful family and designs my dream beach house and my dream beach life. All of that.

Greg Natale

Australian elegance. I love the Australian aesthetic - beachy and wild but with a sophisticated edge. I have a fantasy image of Australia - as this first world cosmopolitan haven, but everyone is always outdoors or at the beach tanning and working out, and everyone has naturally ombre hair, and dresses in my dream summer wardrobe and eats Acai bowls. I like this fantasy. 

Greg Natale knows how to mix patterns but with all the class.

Tips

Black, white and baby blue can be masculine, feminine and utterly refined. Gold accents are always a good idea.

Ann Hodges

Jamaica’s most recognised contemporary architect and interior designer. Her creations make me feel nostalgic for home and childhood memories. Lots of lazer cut details in wood and big windows to let in the Caribbean light. Dreamy. 

Tips

Keep it Simple. 
White painted walls and wood goes a long way if you have a lot of natural light . Traditional wood work can be updated using colour and carvings. Mix  soft furnishings with natural materials like wicker or sea shells. Note the accent wall made of photographs - different sizes and shapes but the black frames give unity. 

It's all about using light, colour and comfort to create a space that people enjoy being in and want to come back to.

Let me know any designers, Instagram/Pintrest pages or artists that inspire you in the comments below!

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MAISON ET OBJET, PARIS

Maison Et Objet Paris is the most important event in the European luxury interiors market. It is held bi-annually (winter and summer) in the Parc des Expositions Paris Nord Villepinte. A huge venue - spreading across 8 halls.

The January show is held during S/S Haute Couture fashion week, and the city oozes sophistication and style. 

As the name suggests, Maison et Objet is a design fair dedicated to objects more than furniture, beautiful and unusual objects of every shape and size take center stage.

Day 1 
We arrived in Paris after an indulgent Eurostar journey. I'm talking cheese platters, mini bottles of red wine and gin and tonics from the M&S outside the station. My friend and I fantasied that we were Serena & Blair/ Kendall & Bella heading to Paris. 

Dinner was at Brasserie Flottes with my work colleagues, and I treated myself to foie gras and lobster mango salad. 

Day 2
Early start at the fair.
We had exhibitors passes so we arrived before the doors were open to the public. 

It was fascinating being the first to see the halls when they were still empty of the crowds. Some of the exhibitors were still applying final touches and giving the products their final tweaks. 

The most magical part of the experience was the Baccarat party at the Galerie-Musee Baccarat. Stepping into the party was like stepping back in time, the building used to be the private mansion of a wealthy American socialite in the early 1900's.  

We were greeted by handsome men in black tie and giant blue chandeliers. The sweeping staircases led up to the original grand ball room. The Maison felt like a mini version of Versailles where models in wispy blue gowns and tiaras sipped on champagne and blue curacau cocktails - Marie-Antionette moment.

(Also, after some research I realised this venue was used in the Gossip Girl Paris episodes)

The Puiforcat showroom was our first stop on the third day, and they really spoiled us! We had lunch with the managing director and I treated myself with truffle and parmesan pizza and cod salad with green mashed potatoes (not sure why they were green) 

The final stop before dinner was the Saint Louis cocktail party where they launched their new crystal collection 'Folia'.

Then back in the office on Monday 9 am.

C'est Magnifique.

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Monaco Yacht Show 2016

I went to Monaco once with my family when I was about 17. I remember the winding road down the harbour, the same road where the beautiful Princess Grace met a fatal accident. It was sunny, quiet and clean, a sleepy sea side village. We went into the Monte Carlo Casino for a tour and strolled along the Marina admiring the yachts and taking photos next to the super cars like ultimate tourists.   

Fast forward only a few years (because I wasn’t 17 almost 10 years ago…. I swear) you can imagine how thrilled I was when my new job said we would all be going to the Monaco Yacht Show 2016.

Free trip to Monaco to be wined and dined on big ass boats - ummm...  YASSSSS!

Main Event

The Monaco Yacht Show is the biggest event for the world’s yachting industry leaders, crew and clientele. The exhibition displays things you and I wouldn’t even believe need to exist. This is where it all comes together, and where the people who seem to have it all come to find the things they don’t.

And who popped up again?! The yacht from my previous posts *it’s a small world after all* I swear the Chief Stewardess said to me “You’re wearing a lot more clothes than the first time we met!” I nearly died.

The most exquisite yacht we visited was M.Y. 11 11. This yacht belongs to Nick Candy and his wife. Nick Candy is the property designer and architect behind One Hyde Park. A penthouse in this particular building is rumoured to be the most expensive real estate in the world... So you can imagine what this guy's personal yacht is like. The place was UP UP UP - like I nearly cried from how amazing it was and how mind-blowing it is that people can actually live like this. 

Of course, no photos allowed. So photos courtesy of Benetti Yachts

Food Food Food

The best meal I had on the trip was at Beef Bar. It’s apparently one of the best places in Monaco to dine, especially if you’re a meat lover who likes to see and be seen. 

I'm not a huge meat eater so I stuck with sea food. Perfect as we were sat right next to the ocean. It was a superb dinner, good wine and the food was fresh and delicious. I even had truffle and Parmesan cheese mashed potatoes (gasp, indulgent much). I didn’t get any good photos of the food because it just felt SO weird photographing food with my work colleagues around!

Must tries

Lobster & caviar tacos

Classic French fries with truffle, Parmesan cheese & rosemary

Sea bass ceviche, tamarind & passion fruit

Wine - Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello Di Montalcino 2010 

The photos above are from http://monaco.beefbar.com/

Werk Tingz

The company I work for put on a presentation for about 40 yacht crew and captains that were attending the Yacht Show. 

We did a 4 course dining experience, each course the attendees swapped so everyone got some food. I won't go too much into it, but it involved a big production with a van with thousands of £ worth of product being driven from London to Monaco by two Jamaicans... blind folds...Phantom of the Opera masks... fake cocaine with sterling silver straws.. long list. 

photos from @Harlequinldn Instagram

I can't wait to go back, next time with more beach days and friends.

Maybe I'll see you next summer Monaco.

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