Bring on the Catwalk

It's a hectic week at the shop so my post will be short.

All the decorating for Christmas before Saturday.

This is one of those weeks when my physical

appearance probably does not get the attention

it should. I use to worry about that, but I don't think

I will anymore.

The other night I ran by the local TJ Max to pick

up some holiday napkins and ran into one of my

clients. She informed me I had glitter all over my

face and in my hair. I was a little embarrassed!

Well little did she know I was ready for the runway!

This is Haute Couture!

I'm not going to fret over my hair

or my bangs being too long.

And all those little pieces of fir and pine twigs

that end up on my head, c'est tres chic!

All I really need is the dress, but hey, I've got

a Christmas Tree skirt.

Well I do have to run...

The House of Dior might be calling.

I'll see what kind of fashion statement I can

make today.

Chow

The French Farm Table

Instant Ambiance
If you long to create a Country French Ambiance
in your home there is one piece of furniture that can
make your decorating job much easier. An Antique
French Farm Table, aka, trestle table, harvest table,
and Refectory table.

Some of our fondest memories will be created
during the Holiday Season as we gather around
the table and partake of the feast. Ever wonder
why most of life's most special moments take
place while we are eating? Must be our
European roots.
The one thing I absolutely adore about the
Country French Lifestyle is that it revolves
around the table. And.. more times than not
it happens to be a Refectory table. The Refectory
table came about in the 16th Century, so named
due to it's use in Monasteries, where the eating
room was known as a Refectory.
Most in Europe were made from hard woods
such as Walnut and Oak. These woods would
withstand abuse.


Most are made from separate planks that have been
joined together, resting atop chanfreiné (beveled)
legs. The art of joining happens to be one of the
highest art forms of cabinet makers. Many farm
tables also have what is called a breadboard top


This is when the end planks go a different direction which
adds stability to the joined boards.
Many have the typical H stretcher (the French call it the
stretcher for the chat) (cat).


It is also very common to find a deep drawer in either
or both ends of the table. So the story goes, these
were used to store the monks monogrammed napkins
after each meal. Laundry was only done once a week
so it was necessary for them to re-use their napkins.
These deep drawers would necessitate deep friezes
(aprons) which can be a draw back. Hence the use of
benches at the table.
If you are considering a Farm table don't be discouraged
by the height. If you prefer to cross your legs at the table,
it is relatively simple to have your table's legs built up
by a good woodworker. I have an excellent person in
Louisville and he charges $200-$300.
They also have many uses with a little imagination!
They make beautiful bathroom vanities topped with
ironstone vessel sinks and straw baskets underneath.
Islands and work tables in the kitchen.
Desks for your home office.
Saw the legs down and you have a beautiful coffee
table.
However you choose to use it, a French Farm Table is
a good investment and patina is something you
can't reproduce.
If you are looking for a 19th century farm table, I
carry a wide variety at my shop,
European Antique Market.
I have French, Spanish and Zinc topped. All are in
the $3,000-$3,800 price range.


Spanish


Whatever table you may be gathering
around this Holiday season with friends
and family, I wish for you Wonderful Moments
and
Bon Appetit !

Christmas Open House

Join us for our Christmas Open House

Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrive

Looking to Celebrate Nature's Bounty?
The third Thursday in November which is tomorrow,
November 15th, is Beaujolais Nouveau Day!
You know the French love any excuse for a fete AND
since I am somewhat Frenchified, I'll be raising
my glass too.


Millions of cases of this young wine from the
Beaujolais region of France is making it's way
across the globe today via plane, train, boat,
elephants, camels and backpacks.
It has become a worldwide race to see who
can be the first to serve the new harvest, but
by French law it can be released no sooner
than the third Thursday of November.

Some interesting facts about Beaujolais

* The Gamay grape is the only grape

grown in the Beaujolais region. It has

a black skin and white juice.

* The grapes must be harvested by hand

* It owes its easy drinkability to a winemaking

process called carbonic maceration, also called

whole berry fermentation. This technique preserves

the fresh, fruity quality of the wine, without

extracting bitter tannins from the grape skins.

Therefore, it's a good red wine for those that

prefer white's.

*It needs to be served cool, at 55 F.

*Traditionally served from a 1.2 gallon jug, it is

a carafe wine or as the French would say in Lyon,

a "bouchons" wine.

* There are many small growers in the region who

sell their grapes to companies (négociants) who make,

bottle and market it under their own labels.

Some of the best négociants are Georges Duboeuf,

Louis Jabot, Joseph Drouhin and Mommessin.

* Beaujolais Nouveau contains 10% alcohol and

mainly comes from the Beaujolais-Bas (lower region).

The Beaujolais-Haute is reserved for better

wines, (the cru's), due to the topography.

* I've never tasted a Beaujolais Nouveau that I

liked. They taste like crap!

BUT, I will be popping a cork!

For those of you that live near Louisville, Ky.

Brown & Forman will be hosting a soiree at

the Speed Museum from 6 - 9pm.

Additional info available at

http://www.speedmuseum.org/calendar.html#15

For the rest of you, Louisvillians included, you

can go to George Duboeuf's website at

http://www.winewithoutrules.com/, click on

the event section and find out who's hosting

events in your town.

santé, amitié, amour

Bonne Soiree !

Pretty Papers..Pretty Ribbons..

Tis the Season........

I got one tree decorated at the store with the help

of Karen Carpenter singing Winter Wonderland in

the background.

This is the time of year when I start to fret about

Giftwrap! I am picky about my paper. Don't ask

why. Sometimes I spend more on the package

than the gift.

I just love pretty paper and ribbons!

So...if your like me, you'll appreciate this.

Destinations just printed a great Where to Buy

Guide for some beautiful embellishments that

I want to pass along.

These are from Kate's Paperie. They have over 4,000

papers from over 40 countries. I love the maps

Located in Manhattan

or online at http://www.katespaperie.com/

These from the Paper Studio in Tempe, Arizona.

Not only do they sell decorative handmade papers but they

also teach the art of papermaking. You can find them

online at http://www.paperstudio.com/

These come from the Gift-Wrapping Playground,

Tinsel Trading Company in New York.

This also happens to be Martha Stewart's favorite

store in the world. They have Free Shipping on

orders over $75. A large selection of vintage

ribbons also. Have fun here

http://www.tinseltrading.com/

The most..beautiful fineries you'll ever see and a

huge assortment. Just let your imagination

run wild here at M&J Trimmings. Find them

at http://www.mjtrim.com/

Hope you find this helpful. I know I will

be ordering.

Fun Wrapping!!

Secrets d'interieurs

I am a little behind on posting...but with good reason.
I just returned from a short one-week jaunt to France.
It was planned spur of the moment. October 30th
happened to be one of my good friends 50tho birthday,
so I decided to surprise her. I ended up staying for a
week and doing a little Christmas shopping.
Needless to say we had a Great time!
No worries about filling and packing a container.
BUT, no way I can go to France and not partake of my
passion.
Here is just one of the items that contributed to my valise
weighing in a 35 kilo's on the return trip.


Secrets d'interieurs by Gilles Trillard and
Michèle Lalande. A wonderful book and beautiful
photography. Consider me a Trillard fan!
These are a few photos from the book

The book is due for release in the US, December 1st under the

title, The New French Décor:

Living with Timeless Objects

It is available at http://www.amazon.com

A quote from the Editorial review

The art of setting, compiling, or combining disparate objects is a difficult art. Yet it has become the chic new decorating style in France, and is now spreading throughout the world. After the success of The New Eighteenth-Century Style, journalist Michèle Lalande and photographer Gilles Trillard team up once again to showcase the most successful combinations of treasured heirlooms and contemporary design.

Go ahead and give yourself an early Christmas present!

bientôt...