Nouveautés Printanières chez LCF Maison

Nouveautés Printanières chez Le Côté Français Maison

It looks like I’ll only be blogging seasonally, as the  thought of blogging intimidates me into procrastinating ‘tiI I think I’ve got something worthy of you, esteemed readers, while data snowballs into a giant post.

Since my last winter holiday entry several events have transpired, like the Toile Talk and our first trunk show in  Webster and Company’s Antiques and Accessories Showroom  at the Miromar Design Center on  Florida’s Gulf Coast, during  their mid-February  Home Design Week .

In preparation for this talk, I delved into the life of 18^th century entrepreneur Christophe Oberkampf, the strategic importance of Jouy en Josas and the Bievre River to his success, and a few of the artists that Oberkampf commissioned to create designs for his prolific fabric printing factory at Jouy en Josas, France.  Dissatisfied with merely touching on the accomplishments that this remarkable pioneer in textile printing realized, I’ve decided to offer a follow-up Toile Talk later this year, probably with a travelling Fall Trunk Show.

Earlier this month, LCF Maison floor cushions commissioned by friends Sylvia Heisel and Scott Taylor for their Manhattan Lower East Side residence were photographed in natural light by John Winston Connell and posted on Houzz and on our LCF Facebook page.

I was honored when Sylvia, a fashion designer whose exquisitely simple creations I’ve loved and worn since our college days, asked me to “break rules” to make six outrageous textile puzzle poufs for her and her sculptor husband’s thoughtfully edited  living space.

Balancing luxurious 4-ply silks and other extravagant modern day fragments that Sylvia gave me to integrate, with exotic and antique/vintage French printed fabrics and trim from our coffers, these "Topkapi" floor cushions, fit for a contemporary palatial harem- in a palette contrasting with the interior’s amber tint took form.

  In tribute to Sylvia’s Turkish roots, I named this ensemble of decadent cushions “Topkapi”. When Scott and she proclaimed them to be unlike anything they had ever seen before, I was both relieved and delighted.

 

 

Our Springtime Blues will soon debut, on pillows, throws, and table linens as well as large bolsters in different tints paired with warm neutrals and  Lime or Emerald  Greens - along with Color Block pieces inspired by Vintage ‘80s Paco Rabanne neckties .

 

We continue to diversify our accessible Let Them Eat Toile collection with more casual versions of Dutch artist Marjolein Vandersluis’ Antoinette Bleu on a cotton box pillow with turquoise tie-dye backs and vintage Parisian toile printed gussets.

Our blossoming children’s line welcomes artist and Divine Illumination counselor Jacqueline Johnson’s “Grace, la Licorne” (Grace the Unicorn), which she has  created just for LCF Maison in a healing and energizing neon jewel palette available on washable cotton linen throw pillows and children’s duvet covers.

And lastly, inspired by  drawstring pouches displayed at the sumptuous Fortuny y Madrazo exhibit curated by Oscar de la Renta at the Queen Sofia Institute in New York City – LCF Maison will soon introduce a series of unique old/new textile  collage drawstring pouches to let you take your “fabric of history” on the go .

Profitez bien des beaux  jours ! 

A la prochaine.

 

Bonnes Fêtes!

As 2012 comes to a close, for some of us, Christmas beckons,  and with it respite from the year's striving, followed by tallying of  accomplishments and mistakes .

Mais non, that sounds far too sober, let's have a look at Holiday windows in NewYork City, and Paris instead, yes? After all, la vie est belle....

The Cartier Mansion on NYC's 5th Ave is wrapped in sparkling Red  and crawling with  Panthers 

The Winter Holidays  are a most important time for merchants.  See how some French luxury brands  staged their store displays to entice tasteful and generous gift givers.

Dior on East 57th St. NYC juxtaposes glowing acrylic 18th century rococo and neoclassicist elements  with contemporary minimalist elegance

Cinderella's Carriage was lent by Disney, and on view at Paris' Galerie Lafayette in honor of their 100th Anniversary.


 

 And we leave you with a visual and link to a Style Bistro slideshow of Paris' splendid Printemps Dior windows, wishing you joy and peace this holiday season and a Golden Nouvelle An.

 

http://www.stylebistro.com/A+Very+Parisian+Christmas+-+Dior+at+Printemps/articles/CBd5eojdROC/Holiday+2012+Dior+Windows+Printemps+Paris
 

BONNES FETES!

 

 

A Saison d’Etre: Chic Graphique

In New York, our Indian Summer has finally ended, Autumn is officially here – and with it, Fall Fashion.  Floral and graphic prints, in geometric patterns swirl about us- from Prada to Balenciaga  they have been  reinvented  to be touted by the stylish.

In keeping with la “mode du saison”, this Autumn,  LCF Maison offers brazen Baroque scrolls, Romantic flower power and Mod Squad Geo-graphics for your interiors- in a palette of  lilacs, violets and plums, emerald greens, and vibrant coral and garnet reds.

 

Our newest “Let Them Eat Toile” Accent pillows replicate authentic retro prints of beloved Parisian landmarks like the Moulin Rouge, Sacre Coeur, Arc de Triomphe or antique French Chinoiserie Toile  on the fronts, with  solid jewel toned Linen, Silk, or Velvet versos and Oatmeal linen piping retailing for $75. each.

                                              

"Paris, Mon Amour" Accent Pillow from Le Côté Français Maison's  new  "Let Them Eat Toile" Collection

 

We are delighted to announce that the distinguished  Webster& Company in the Miromar Design Center in Estero, on Florida’s Gulf Coast,  has invited LCF Maison to create a Pillow Wall  for Season 2012-13,  in their 5,000 sq. ft Antique Showroom, while  at contemporary kuxury  home furnishings boutique  St. Tropez Home on Historic 3^rdStreet South in Downtown Naples, Florida, you may now find the original LCF Maison Lavande D’Orange Throw, showcasing a splendid French vintage Amethyst/Champagne woven brocade.

Before saying adieu, we know where you can acquire an extraordinary accessory for your Halloween Bal Masqué outfit- while supporting a most worthy cause -  at the UNMASK AIDS Benefit, to be held at NYC's Bryant Park Grill this Oct. 29th.  A dazzling array of known and emerging artists, (among them famed designer and stylist Patricia Fields, designer Sylvia Heisel and LCFM's own Bartus B.) are donating masks they've created especially for their silent auction.

Wishing you Bonne sweater weather,

à la prochaine

Le Côté Français Maison's NYIGF experience

LCF Maison's newest Coussin "Corset"

Above, Le Côté Français Maison's new Coussin "Corset"A new frivolous and flirtatious accessoire for your boudoir chaise-longue, above, designed by Gianna Valdes for LCF Maison, debuted recently at our booth in the August New York International Gift Fair at the Javits Center.Fused into an 18" square Blush silk-taffeta knife edged pillow, trimmed in delicate black piping, le coussin "Corset" features a black whaleboned corset with silk organza ruffles, antique French gold metallic trim, gold stitching, and leather laces in front and back.Introduced in the Renaissance courts, the corset was used by noblewomen to mold their silhouettes into fashionably extreme wasp-waisted shapes. 16th century French Queen Catherine of Medici is said to have insisted that her ladies in waiting have 13" waists.Our NYIGF trade show booth was constructed by Artist/Restorer Michael Foscone ,and designed with Alejandra Espana-Soto in a neoclassical -meets-now aesthetic. The columns were adorned with faux marbre and stencilling by Marianne Jacquemin, French decorative finish artist extraordinaire. Sylvia Heisel and Scott Taylor, of Post Modern Production were interior styling consultants.      Le Côté Français Maison NYIGF Booth, Home Textile Division, Summer 2012   Most of our antique and vintage inventory was on site, and enjoyed by many visitors impressed with their quality and variety, as well as LCF Maison's focus on customization. The latest Limited Edition creations from our Art Series were enthusiastically welcomed with Bartus Bartolomes' "Triomphe I", "Notre Dame", and Marjolein VanderSluis' "Antoinette Bleu" accent pillow and throw proving especially popular, and Jean Claude Brasset's "Zebre Flammes" and "Zebre Eiffel" attracting new fans. "Antoinette Bleu" Limited Edition Throw and Accent Pillow by Marjolein Vandersluis for LCF Maison          Bartus Bartolomes "Triomphe I" and "Notre Dame" Art Series Pillows   It was exhilarating for us to define our identity in the marketplace at NYIGF, confirm the uniqueness of our specialized creations, and plan for Le Côté Français Maison's future with the input of so many new Home Textile and Design professionals.                                                                                                          à la prochaine ....

Happy Fête Nationale

A week ago today, I bid adieu to Paris, after a stay that seemed much too short, as they always do.  It was however sweet and successful as I gathered not only delightful textile treasures, but inspiration and encouragement from talented friends, like Artist and Interior Decorator Marjan Denkov and his partner, Marcin Kokowsky, psychologist expat Marina Tricard, and the ever exciting sensorial smorgasbord that regales Francophiles from the moment we step on French soil.
Only able to check out the Balenciaga/Comme des Garcons show at the City Docks, along with an interesting photographic exhibit on Houses outside of the museum http://parisleluxe.com/balenciaga-and-comme-des-garcons-shown-at-the-city-of-fashion-and-design, I also spent an enjoyable rainy afternoon at the Musee Carnavalet http://carnavalet.paris.fr/  in the Marais. My last outing was at a tiny Corsican Cabaret in Montmartre, Le Lamarck, with simple and outstanding dishes, super live music

A Pre- Feux de St.Jean ( Summer Solstice) Greeting

Above, Dutch Artist Marjolein Van der Sluis for Le Côté Français Maison's L'Art Du Coussin Series


I've been away for too long, but delighted to bring many new creative developments to our already burgeoning coffers. Numerous vintage and antique textiles and passementerie, being collaged with modern day silks, velvets and linens and original works such as the one above, created by Marjolein Van der Sluis for LCFM are soon to debut at our NYIGF August show on pillows, throws and table linens as well as gift packaging.
Before leaving for the Old World in early July, we will also debut both of French artist Jean Claude Brasset's works, Zebre Eiffel, and Zebre Flammes, also from Le Côté Français Maison's L'Art Du Coussin Series, on Throws, napkins and placemats with wonderful patchwork textile borders - chic, tailored patchwork, of course, never frumpy or dowdy. And please stay tuned for new pieces from the "Tricolore" Collection, due out before Bastille Day, in of course, Red, White and Blue.
à la prochaine ....

Vintage French Jacobean Floral, left and Antique French Neoclassical Medallion Print, below



LCFM " CollectionTricolore" teaser

"Printemps, tu est venu me dire que l'Amour est devant..."

"Spring, you have come to tell me to behold Love"...
translated from a poem by Elodie Santos

During these past weeks I've been diligently at work building our new e-commerce site, www.lcfmaison.com  creating new pillows, throws, table linens and ultra groovy bedding for super-special orange loving clients, and planning for Le Cote Francais Maison's August 19th debut in the Home Textiles Division at the New York International Gift Fair. 

Vin Andella, of VINBO WebDesign http://vinbo.com/   has been sheer joy to work with, as have Charlotte and Yanti, the LCFM couture faeries - who excel at what they do, and have each taught me so much about the technicalities of making fanciful designs reality- the new Mursay Throw is a perfect example of our successful teamwork

meet the new "Mursay" Throw, from the Maintenon Collection, available through Le Cote Francais Maison, www.lcfmaison.com

the reversible  "Mursay" Throw, measures 49" wide by 65" long, and combines a chinoiserie toile in seafoam green earthen hues with a bold kelly/sapphire/aqua stripe on ecru canvas, both of pure cotton, with a lemon silk-velvet verso, all trimmed in aqua and kelly silk piping

 

a very conceptual sketch of the LCF Maison booth at the NYIGF this August


I hope that you will also enjoy your personal renaissances to the fullest, and that each new Spring day blossoms with new understandings and opportunities for happiness. 
Au revoir..