Design Inspiration on the Streets of Paris

Antique Door

This first day consisted of getting settled and exploring our neighborhood. With a looming travel strike coming this Tuesday we have modified our plans a little to do some inpirational visits, retail crawls and antiquing today and tomorrow. Then we head to Maison&Objet Sunday and Monday. It will come as absolutely no surprise when I tell you that Paris is awash in inspiration. We toured some of the major sites you would expect such as Notre Dame down to the little niche places and back alley stores. The retail is amazing here with all the small independants selling very high design at affordable prices.

We spent a lot of time just admiring but then a bit of time actually buying. Johnathan got a great deal on a set of designer luggage that is not available in the U.S. Of course, the shop owner delighted in pointing out that Americans love to have something one of a kind especially from France. Well, can't argue with the truth. Misty bought an awesome Parisian hat (picture coming). I have yet to buy anything but I'm holding out for something really special.

Marche' de la Creation de Bastille

Day Two we headed to a couple of Markets. The first is called Marche' de la Creation de Bastille. It's a very cool local artists market similar to what we do back home. We jokingly called this place Etsy Paris but it is a lot like Etsy shows only not as well produced :). Lots of artists doing oils, water colors and pencil sketches.

Marche' d'Aligre

Next we headed over to Marche' d' Aligre which is primarily an outdoor food market but did have an antiques section. Lots of old sketches, textiles and books! Lot's of books. A couple notible finds is a 1950's sketch portfolio that we spent a few minutes going through. We were a little saddened wondering who this really great portfolio belonged to and subsequently how it found it's way to laying on the ground at a flea market. Lastly, we found a hideous doll head in a box. The eyes were rolling around inside but did still work mechanically. It was one of those things that was so scary and aweful that it was fantastic.

Johnathan Holding Creepy Baby Head