Professor Smith takes a trip!

Chers students of "l'Ecole Du Bon Gout", Bonjour ! I leave for Uzes, France this 27 July to return to Louisiane, 22 September. During this trip I will of course be shopping for "new" items of "bon gout" for Au Vieux Paris Antiques, but I will also be enjoying and assimilating "bon gout" in many categories, so easily available in Provence. I plan to "share" many of these experiences with you by e mails so that you may be inspired to create a little more "bon gout" in your daily lives!

Today, there is a the prevalent misconception that we have "less or no time" to create or enjoy beauty or beautiful experiences in our daily lives. I trust that the photos attached here from my Spring trip to Uzes, as well as those I will send as the next trip evolves, will give you sufficient inspiration to devote "time and energy" to some "bon gout" experiences in your own summer.

The shop here in Breaux Bridge will be open by chance on week day afternoons and any time, weekends and evenings included by prior appointment. Shop # 337 332 2852 I am easy to reach in Uzes by e mail at robertesmith@centurytel.net

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

A companion for life??

Bonjour students of L'Ecole du Bon Gout!!! "A thing of beauty is a joy forever!!" Can an armchair be a comforting companion for life??? At your favorite window, your desk, your dinner table or your favorite spot to read, your armchair and you have a special relationship that could be for life!!

French armchairs do come in every shape, size, and form so they can be an expression of your style and your chosen degree of formality or informality.

Find following photos of 8 of the many armchairs now available at Au Vieux Paris Antiques, that trace the evolution of armchairs, from the 16th century until the beginning of the 19th century. (Note upholstery fabrics seen here are those of previous 20th century owners and not necessarily great choices.) The photos are arranged in descending order, starting with the oldest chair first. The stylistic periods of these follow roughly the political periods which are: Louis XIII: 1610-1643, Louis XIV: 1661-1715, Regence: 1715-1723, Louis XV: 1723-1774, Louis XVI: 1774-1791, Directoire: 1795 -1799( I show two Directoire examples to better illustrate the transition. ), and Consulat: 1799-1804.

Note that the design detailing of the exposed wood elements begins with lathe work turnings and then transitions into jig saw cut curves and chisel carving by Regence, then transitions back to turnings in Louis XVI and then back to the jig saw cut curves in Directoire. As with most features of style, the pendulum swings back and forth.

I do have pairs as well as single armchairs in stock, not to mention side chairs, so if you would like to have a comfortable, not to mention stylish, companion to enhance your daily life, come for a visit and "meet" some of these armchairs! Shop #337 332-2852 or visit the website at www.auvieuxparisantiques.com

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

Tables without legs???

Chers Amis, Bonjour students of the "Ecole du Bon Gout"! Tables without legs??? Many console tables were designed without any legs at all or they had 1,2,3,4 or more legs!! Consoles had their greatest "hay day" in the Louis XV period but enjoyed continued popularity through the years, taking on the changing details and tastes of the various periods that followed.

Consoles usually relate strongly to the chairs of the same period because they were created by the same designers and cabinet makers. Their size was completely varying, from the huge ones made for the Chateau de Versailles during Louis XIV's period, all the way down in size to just a wall bracket big enough to hold one candle stick.

No matter the size, most often they are installed in a central position of importance in a room's layout and also often act as an important "visual support" and central focal point for other elements of a wall's composition.

Find following 5 photos of finished installations of consoles, followed by 6 photos of the consoles available now here at Au Vieux Paris Antiques. I welcome your visit here to see these consoles. Shop # 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

"antiques providing luxurious comfort" ????

Chers Amis du Bon Gout!! Most people today don't automatically think of "antiques providing truly luxurious comfort". I propose in some cases, antiques certainly do provide this and more elegantly than most other similar mediums.

Find attached 3 photos showing finished installations of pillows, newly made from luxurious antique fabrics. These are followed by 3 photos of the pillows made from antique fabric, that are available now at Au Vieux Paris Antiques. So if you would like to add some truly luxurious comfort, not to mention major "bon gout" to your home environment, plan a visit here to see and to touch these amazing pillows.

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

Buy the real thing and save $250,000

Chers Amis,  Bonjour de Au Vieux Paris Antiques!!!      I have just read the most splendid "catalog" for the Getty Museum's current exhibition entitled "Paris: Life and Luxury" which is at the Getty now but will be shown in Houston's Museum of Fine Arts Sept 18 to Dec 10.  I strongly recommend both the catalog as well as a Museum visit to students of "Bon Gout".  They are both top connoisseur level and about as delicious as the Paris of the eighteenth century gets. To purchase the book call the Getty book shop at : 310 440 7059.  Both the exhibition and book feature great 18th c paintings of Louis XV interiors, juxtaposed with actual items very similar to those seen in the paintings.

Well, find here photos using the same format but with items that are for sale here in the shop. So you see you could buy real 18th century wine glasses, green glass preserve jars, a silver plated bronze "rechaud", a bois dore stool or a game table here and have the real thing instead of paying $250,00 to $350,000 for a Chardin painting of one of these items.  What a savings!!!!

I look forward to your visit.    

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

Gift giving made fun and easy!!!

Chers Amis,  Bonjour de Pont Breaux la Louisiane!!  Since I returned from France two weeks ago, I have been having a streak of supplying various clients with special anniversary, birthday and believe it or not, I know it is HOT outside, but for one client a major gift for next Christmas.    Because I usually know the recipients, I take special pleasure in these sorts of projects and particularly have fun with the wrapping which is always, well, "creative".  Once I packed a complete set of wine glasses, only in scented fresh rose petals!!!   So if you have a gifting occasion big or small on the horizon, I will be happy to help you.

Find attached here photos of a few "new" pieces just in here at the shop, to get you to thinking.      

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