The bedroom, your waking dream come true!!

Chers Amis de L’Ecole du Bon Gout!. Bonjour! Since most humans spend about 3,650 hours a year in bed, the bed itself, as well as its surroundings and the views from it become very important subjects! Also if you are even “bed ridden” for a period of time, then a commodious and beautiful bedroom environment becomes immediately more important to you and your recovery !

 My formula for the most comfortable and luxurious bedroom environment is : A beautiful and stylish antique bed; a custom made, memory foam mattress with my choices of foam layers; antique, hand woven linen sheets lightly starched and pressed; and a functional bedside table to hold, at the ready, the phone, clock etc.. Away from the immediate bed area, I like to have in prominent view, a commode and a fireplace mantle both surmounted by an arrangement of my favorite objects, flowers and candle holders. I always align the position of the bed with appealing views out of the windows.

 Today, here at Au Vieux Paris , there are nine 18th and early 19th century beds to choose from. Some are single size, or standard American double size, but one is just 2” shy of being queen size SVP! We also have deep stock in hand woven linen and cotton sheets, numerous bedside tables, 5 commodes and plenty of other fetching items to make your bedroom a waking dream come true!

 Attached here are photographs of antique beds seen in museums and private homes to give you some extreme to moderate ideas, followed by photos of bedroom furnishings here at Au Vieux Paris Antiques. Plan a visit to see these and more in person or visit the web site at www.auvieuxparisantiques.com

Mes Amities,
Robert E. Smith 337 332 2852

Visit the Au Vieux Paris Antiques homepage (click here)
Browse a sampling of the merchandise available (click here)

Mes Amities,
Robert E. Smith   (337) 332-2852
http://www.auvieuxparisantiques.com

Sculpture : Fine art, but decorative arts too!

Chers Amis du Bon Gout, Bonjour! Since the days when we humans inhabited caves, man has been crafting pieces of sculpture of one sort or another. Fertility figures, like the famous “Venus of Willendorf” ( 28,000 to 25,000 b.c.), are certainly some of man’s first sculptural achievements, which today, thousands of years later, still hold our admiration. In more recent centuries, portrait busts have been a popular theme along with of course religious and mythological figures.

In a home setting, a powerful piece of sculpture, used as a focal point, can immediately attract and hold our attention and may set the tone of the décor of the rest of the room.

Besides sculpture which is classified as “fine art”, there are many pieces that are classified as “decorative art” that are really sculptures too. These were sometimes made by the same artist making “fine art” pieces. For example, the fabulous marble Medici urns in the gardens of the Chateau de Versailles, were created by the leading fine art sculptors of the day like the justly famous M.Coysevox .

Attached here are photographs of “fine art” sculptural works, in stock now at Au Vieux Paris Antiques, followed by photos of pieces of “decorative art” which are also very “sculptural” ! Please plan a visit to see these and many more three dimensional pieces in person or visit our website at 

www.auvieuxparisantiques.com or call 337-332-2852.

Mes Amities,
Robert E. Smith

Visit the Au Vieux Paris Antiques homepage (click here)
Browse a sampling of the merchandise available (click here)

Mes Amities,
Robert E. Smith   (337) 332-2852
http://www.auvieuxparisantiques.com

St. Valentine's Day!!!

Chers Amis de l’Ecole du Bon Gout”, Bonjour !! February 14th, St. Valentine’s day, named for a 3rd century Roman saint, gives everybody a great opportunity to let the special person (or persons) in their life know that they are so very dear !! Candy, flowers and cards are certainly tried and true methods of communicating your affections, but if you would like to make a more sensational and long lasting expression of your appreciation, I suggest a gift of “Bon Gout” from Au Vieux Paris Antiques.

You could also consider a two part gift. For example: a set of antique champagne flutes with a chilled bottle of bubbly to go with them, or an old Paris porcelain vase with fresh roses in it, or a set of silver dinner forks and spoons and a catered meal sent in just for the two of you!!

With two recent shipments of antiques just in, I see many imaginative possibilities here in the shop! If you would like to work up a truly memorable gift, be it fine art, silver , stemware, candlesticks or other lighting or ...., please give me a call and we can select something special together. I will be happy to wrap it in some extravagant yet of course “Bon Gout” way !!!

If you can’t come in person, visit the website at Au Vieux Paris Antiques.

Mes Amities,
Robert E. Smith

337 332 2852

Visit the Au Vieux Paris Antiques homepage (click here)
Browse a sampling of the merchandise available (click here)

Mes Amities,
Robert E. Smith   (337) 332-2852
http://www.auvieuxparisantiques.com

The Louis XVI debate!!

Chers Amis de l'Ecole du Bon Goût! Bonjour d'Uzès!! The Louis XVI period is whole heartedly praised by many and is maligned by others!! Certainly the architecture, furniture and decorative arts were brilliant, fresh, new, intellectual and documented takes on their classical Roman antecedents! And yes, the life styles of many of that period were "libertine"!!! President Jefferson, the most "bon goût" Renaissance man to ever occupy the "Maison Blanche", came home from his tenure in Paris as ambassador (1784 to 1789) with a large shipment of "brand new" Louis XVI furniture and decorative arts. We know his taste was not only cutting edge but also flawless!

Here in Provence, the Louis XVI style had particularly fresh and easy going interpretations as it did in colonial Louisiane. We would call these interpretations "provincial" Louis XVI today. An interest in personal comfort and easier to live in interiors had become a relatively new concern at this period. This may be seen evidenced in the use of more comfortable "bergère" or closed arm chairs with loose cushion seats, painted furniture in general, as well as smaller more cozy rooms for personal use, as apposed to rooms of grand size built to impress and to receive the masses!

Following are photographs of some Louis XVI interiors as well as a selection of Louis XVI furnishings available at Au Vieux Paris Antiques, in case you would like to create a Louis XVI enclave of taste and comfort of your very own!! Come by the shop in Breaux Bridge in person, or call us at 337 332 2852 or visit the website at www.auvieuxparisantiques.com

Merci Cordialement, Robert E Smith

Visit the Au Vieux Paris Antiques homepage (click here)
Browse a sampling of the merchandise available (click here)

Mes Amities,
Robert E. Smith   (337) 332-2852
http://www.auvieuxparisantiques.com