Travel Tuesday: Paris!

Yesterday, <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2009/03/music-hall-monday-paris-opera-house.html">we toured</a> the spectacular Paris Opera house. Of course, we're now tired and need a place to put up our feet and relax. And this being Paris... well, there are one or two hotels that fit the bill!<br /><a href="http://www.trussel.com/maig/image/scribe.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.trussel.com/maig/image/scribe.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 464px; height: 348px;" /></a>I stayed at the <a href="http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-0663-sofitel-paris-le-scribe/index.shtml">Hotel Scribe,</a> which is right next to the Opera House, last year when I attended Maison et Objet. It's a beautiful hotel, bright, luxurious and sparkling clean. I will say, the mattresses and bedding were like sleeping on a cloud. It was hard to get up and head out, but then, when one is in Paris...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/1625731117_6bfc2a854f.jpg?v=0" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2144/1625731117_6bfc2a854f.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 445px; height: 291px;" /></a>The Hotel Scribe was a favorite haunt for journalists in Paris after the German army was driven out in August 1944. Among the patrons pictured are New Yorker reporter Janet Flanner, CBS newscaster William Shirer and Ernest Hemingway seated at the center table. The famed war photographer Robert Capa who took the D-Day pictures is wearing a helmet in the right rear.<br />oil on canvas, 1944<br />Floyd Davis<br />picture painted for Life magazine<br /><br /></div><a href="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/23/47/a8/paris.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/23/47/a8/paris.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 460px; height: 344px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.fivestaralliance.com/images_/hotel/2049_2_scribe_fsa-g.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.fivestaralliance.com/images_/hotel/2049_2_scribe_fsa-g.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 381px; height: 571px;" /></a><a href="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/10/a4/c0/newly-desinged-lobby.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/10/a4/c0/newly-desinged-lobby.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 418px; height: 313px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.jpmoser.com/images/hotelscribe/p-hotelscribe21.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.jpmoser.com/images/hotelscribe/p-hotelscribe21.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 258px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.jpmoser.com/images/hotelscribe/p-hotelscribe15.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.jpmoser.com/images/hotelscribe/p-hotelscribe15.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 258px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.jpmoser.com/images/hotelscribe/p-hotelscribe17.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.jpmoser.com/images/hotelscribe/p-hotelscribe17.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 258px;" /></a><a href="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/19/e0/fc/deluxe-twin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/19/e0/fc/deluxe-twin.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 307px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.jpmoser.com/images/hotelscribe/p-hotelscribe11.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.jpmoser.com/images/hotelscribe/p-hotelscribe11.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 258px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.jpmoser.com/images/hotelscribe/p-hotelscribe9.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.jpmoser.com/images/hotelscribe/p-hotelscribe9.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 258px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.jpmoser.com/images/hotelscribe/p-hotelscribe13.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.jpmoser.com/images/hotelscribe/p-hotelscribe13.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 342px; height: 258px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://hotel-particulier-montmartre.com/en/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://hotel-particulier-montmartre.com/images/logo-header.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 145px;" /></a>In the hear of Montmartre is a discreet Directoire style townhouse that is now the home for the <a href="http://hotel-particulier-montmartre.com/en/">Hotel Particulier</a>. I'd describe the interiors as quirky elegance with lush textiles and traditional fixtures blended with unexpected wallcoverings and colors.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VvnmsM5iHyyydR5miebl8WxGyGXtDQk6BNjo-BtraPajLNOK_dqRnuZM2nmSsx5wwcEEMKBGUKfEtHbu9B3kcDRz-tfW5BDJc4nPWkaosMK0YwtTfaZ5cYJqBy4VlPletd45RS77G18r/s1600-h/Photos+:+H%C3%B4tel+Particulier+Montmartre_1236034351956.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308728188701407506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VvnmsM5iHyyydR5miebl8WxGyGXtDQk6BNjo-BtraPajLNOK_dqRnuZM2nmSsx5wwcEEMKBGUKfEtHbu9B3kcDRz-tfW5BDJc4nPWkaosMK0YwtTfaZ5cYJqBy4VlPletd45RS77G18r/s400/Photos+:+H%C3%B4tel+Particulier+Montmartre_1236034351956.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 223px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEMfhFG7po7eVLdna4XwiZ2-rr5HsZsV0eRZEJ5cBa0CjnSkEhck_bZC8FdafbKwkx8MNSYTStDPAx374RFOjfuiiyU1GybNY0-tiISmW_J1giCTxQ2HQm3Ia1eTsMi55ZHxT0ubNjSnH/s1600-h/Photos+:+H%C3%B4tel+Particulier+Montmartre_1236034283123.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308728064044684706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEMfhFG7po7eVLdna4XwiZ2-rr5HsZsV0eRZEJ5cBa0CjnSkEhck_bZC8FdafbKwkx8MNSYTStDPAx374RFOjfuiiyU1GybNY0-tiISmW_J1giCTxQ2HQm3Ia1eTsMi55ZHxT0ubNjSnH/s400/Photos+:+H%C3%B4tel+Particulier+Montmartre_1236034283123.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA0jvFIjN_kgcx4xjLruWTUttoYOJXfAAuhYW_Z9EZLZaJL6-73l8vgJNnsigvdnJBy4wOK15ttQow2HNwEe4pond29jDVi0bOhDqq1UyQPy5oOCaYaW8TSGCm3sGnaCwz1X4alUl5UUE/s1600-h/Photos+:+H%C3%B4tel+Particulier+Montmartre_1236034261526.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308728053203721506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA0jvFIjN_kgcx4xjLruWTUttoYOJXfAAuhYW_Z9EZLZaJL6-73l8vgJNnsigvdnJBy4wOK15ttQow2HNwEe4pond29jDVi0bOhDqq1UyQPy5oOCaYaW8TSGCm3sGnaCwz1X4alUl5UUE/s400/Photos+:+H%C3%B4tel+Particulier+Montmartre_1236034261526.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvtbPLRWvEGRmX1047qeTyiUw1iYomrwIpSZbvsWHvSbu7tFcWmQh1mqBYhz66GPffMAxgkuBoam7bREUud0VLP-JqDAVLo-JU5b1yLZrT9rcUl5V34toluq746w6V0838GT1F3lEh3kD/s1600-h/Photos+:+H%C3%B4tel+Particulier+Montmartre_1236034232812.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308728042653152370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvtbPLRWvEGRmX1047qeTyiUw1iYomrwIpSZbvsWHvSbu7tFcWmQh1mqBYhz66GPffMAxgkuBoam7bREUud0VLP-JqDAVLo-JU5b1yLZrT9rcUl5V34toluq746w6V0838GT1F3lEh3kD/s400/Photos+:+H%C3%B4tel+Particulier+Montmartre_1236034232812.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_XNYgEdTNpllaE4gCuXZOSGyB6xzQVseTAKpRaJq5Ibbdu8VdQRHV1v7U5EQ8Y2FmYZOlMqFLBwzLnspIQz5IdrUVOd8jh4gfqwAP5j1lVWf5f00m2gHSPEYAgQXtFIv_CPXnnBnWpYJ/s1600-h/Photos+:+H%C3%B4tel+Particulier+Montmartre_1236034202275.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308728035108728658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_XNYgEdTNpllaE4gCuXZOSGyB6xzQVseTAKpRaJq5Ibbdu8VdQRHV1v7U5EQ8Y2FmYZOlMqFLBwzLnspIQz5IdrUVOd8jh4gfqwAP5j1lVWf5f00m2gHSPEYAgQXtFIv_CPXnnBnWpYJ/s400/Photos+:+H%C3%B4tel+Particulier+Montmartre_1236034202275.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoB9WcWqDJTBw2VdValweurwAxVxrGlq3MFFFh3DDx37_-gnPikWFqdsBNe7uBHjOOl2gh7HzCdau8SN2gxqBDGzn7l-2KZDjEiXXjQlckN2qtaaUW_WMKlKqTCNiagmE3pGn1nlbWXlZ/s1600-h/Photos+:+H%C3%B4tel+Particulier+Montmartre_1236034166166.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308728025130466146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoB9WcWqDJTBw2VdValweurwAxVxrGlq3MFFFh3DDx37_-gnPikWFqdsBNe7uBHjOOl2gh7HzCdau8SN2gxqBDGzn7l-2KZDjEiXXjQlckN2qtaaUW_WMKlKqTCNiagmE3pGn1nlbWXlZ/s400/Photos+:+H%C3%B4tel+Particulier+Montmartre_1236034166166.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 263px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oI-NCxssFl4ocIZ1YXbQx_vFw-GYa8USeltF6fEh3msQ9nLkYyatBp8rL4R68kfgsOHvdqcGndl3JDPWlTceQ2DEK5hNWQXn8cFToZ8Qxch3wrP3yetkGG6hdmpzEoSdl1D07IRo83d_/s1600-h/Photos+:+H%C3%B4tel+Particulier+Montmartre_1236034335022.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308728176895336418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oI-NCxssFl4ocIZ1YXbQx_vFw-GYa8USeltF6fEh3msQ9nLkYyatBp8rL4R68kfgsOHvdqcGndl3JDPWlTceQ2DEK5hNWQXn8cFToZ8Qxch3wrP3yetkGG6hdmpzEoSdl1D07IRo83d_/s400/Photos+:+H%C3%B4tel+Particulier+Montmartre_1236034335022.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.hoteldesacademies.fr/index.html" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.hoteldesacademies.fr/academies-hotel-english/hotel-academies-images/menu-mge/menu_01.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 155px;" /></a><br />The <a href="http://www.hoteldesacademies.fr/index.html">Hôtel des Académies et des Arts</a> is located at 15 rue de la Grande Chaumière in the 6th Arrondissement. The hotel has a luxurious yet playful feel and plays a kind of "where's Waldo" with the placement of some whimsical artist forms rendered in paint and scuplture. These little guys show up all over the place. Can you spot them?<br /><a href="http://www.alldressforms.com/df-images/jointed-wood-male-mannequin/jointed-wood-body-form-mannequin-dress-form.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.alldressforms.com/df-images/jointed-wood-male-mannequin/jointed-wood-body-form-mannequin-dress-form.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 134px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPD_YUDV_u_KUfRuOp6jDnlkcjPW0ppZGPdZIG5jykL5CuZUYQZ-IXHtKnG03zbIn4Y5wjYqUfCqS7yl-NVMqGR7WwEb5UxavEB_Svphlgely0qWBFdWBOXNxRw1TNSzclOP1-xkRWxaIC/s1600-h/HotelAccademies6.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308722779504819842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPD_YUDV_u_KUfRuOp6jDnlkcjPW0ppZGPdZIG5jykL5CuZUYQZ-IXHtKnG03zbIn4Y5wjYqUfCqS7yl-NVMqGR7WwEb5UxavEB_Svphlgely0qWBFdWBOXNxRw1TNSzclOP1-xkRWxaIC/s400/HotelAccademies6.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 328px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB6Dnsn-59T4ZrrShRmzjMgD3KBvKeGw6numg6aZzl7RZQ4bIW0-eCAy2V3iH-UDx4mFxs6ImA82g3egqzbIBuknuDu78CHyItZh7IvQk3ibdUPolT0B_vCDDhwQrIaR8kpUQUwLrF6OB/s1600-h/Hoteldesacademies2.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308722954750939586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB6Dnsn-59T4ZrrShRmzjMgD3KBvKeGw6numg6aZzl7RZQ4bIW0-eCAy2V3iH-UDx4mFxs6ImA82g3egqzbIBuknuDu78CHyItZh7IvQk3ibdUPolT0B_vCDDhwQrIaR8kpUQUwLrF6OB/s400/Hoteldesacademies2.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 370px; height: 255px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsII6CYSQPxf8Lohgyeb1koyKT41jHSNzJGnIP05dAUPQi9Xmohum4IZ2FqoMlhKMjc4wZ-exNXog61zzYcsbsM5qz7u2AhaonO-oLACt0SYWVoXlbAJOyiRmHSRlWHyO9p4BmzLuMx4K6/s1600-h/hoteldesacademies1.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308722951951990738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsII6CYSQPxf8Lohgyeb1koyKT41jHSNzJGnIP05dAUPQi9Xmohum4IZ2FqoMlhKMjc4wZ-exNXog61zzYcsbsM5qz7u2AhaonO-oLACt0SYWVoXlbAJOyiRmHSRlWHyO9p4BmzLuMx4K6/s400/hoteldesacademies1.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEht9ThVMs-bspufN-pgWgJ1FezldbQCk4mTsnECXeODA1mYg90gzrJKtoLHb6DSZrPYcq2_lrcpDQaDU4K6rPgX4X6wSM0JtYbv3QDSxXTkPZI-v6BMhr6MojaO1z34BhNN9YDCvKqFD/s1600-h/HotelAccademies7.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308722940926583538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEht9ThVMs-bspufN-pgWgJ1FezldbQCk4mTsnECXeODA1mYg90gzrJKtoLHb6DSZrPYcq2_lrcpDQaDU4K6rPgX4X6wSM0JtYbv3QDSxXTkPZI-v6BMhr6MojaO1z34BhNN9YDCvKqFD/s400/HotelAccademies7.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SoyWMprbtc7WaqwVfTL_Xj_YreE-nZvkEFTWEcZB_gTxq4pQ7iu4S6tOE9yrrg2XhAaLxyANzTzERyDxfdAjfyqd5P8_yCH0UwMJP_KFEj08YmjMYFUti3jOCQ5RfA4DCw7wtZcIqMWf/s1600-h/HotelAccademie6.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308722773310485026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SoyWMprbtc7WaqwVfTL_Xj_YreE-nZvkEFTWEcZB_gTxq4pQ7iu4S6tOE9yrrg2XhAaLxyANzTzERyDxfdAjfyqd5P8_yCH0UwMJP_KFEj08YmjMYFUti3jOCQ5RfA4DCw7wtZcIqMWf/s400/HotelAccademie6.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 276px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hyphenhyphenSWwKqMpKZGK7dTzZNc7MprIBXy5oEfpdKs7AGJ5B2cl5XlBE3Zu0CsWIJrcr23y9403dWQ_bUxvPFOx5JpFpgVnmNyqumgfYMl5DPsb45rUnTlWjK2SpVfPx2abGQmbLDbhW8HYaK7/s1600-h/HotelAccademie4.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308722769382167842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hyphenhyphenSWwKqMpKZGK7dTzZNc7MprIBXy5oEfpdKs7AGJ5B2cl5XlBE3Zu0CsWIJrcr23y9403dWQ_bUxvPFOx5JpFpgVnmNyqumgfYMl5DPsb45rUnTlWjK2SpVfPx2abGQmbLDbhW8HYaK7/s400/HotelAccademie4.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXkNmoXu2SC9skBHrpD2w5R4nvwAwrWViUgte6KFRCeNiBhyphenhyphenVsQqh8C9q9ln0OMPj65n_VZVpWBRwITnsFtebLCj6M3xEFJCcMX3TNJVedIeLJMv2uCBNiYmGtWLji2w_mcrscG_7l42w/s1600-h/HotelAccademie.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308722762475273762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXkNmoXu2SC9skBHrpD2w5R4nvwAwrWViUgte6KFRCeNiBhyphenhyphenVsQqh8C9q9ln0OMPj65n_VZVpWBRwITnsFtebLCj6M3xEFJCcMX3TNJVedIeLJMv2uCBNiYmGtWLji2w_mcrscG_7l42w/s400/HotelAccademie.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwq43Pgo7qrXgT1LtvTq9L_KrEkvZik5dIXkAnhkS40AYLOFzTSw0X94GNTtot8gPF2bH4XMDWztZtQu2JkmbgIIRi2uirNx6GKcLU2PnqJZoktr0ocDLL6Pmr1RgDg5GJvWmuYrF9UekC/s1600-h/Accademie3.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308722756270523138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwq43Pgo7qrXgT1LtvTq9L_KrEkvZik5dIXkAnhkS40AYLOFzTSw0X94GNTtot8gPF2bH4XMDWztZtQu2JkmbgIIRi2uirNx6GKcLU2PnqJZoktr0ocDLL6Pmr1RgDg5GJvWmuYrF9UekC/s400/Accademie3.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" /></a><br />Where shall we go next time on Travel Tuesday?<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a><br /><br /><p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a></p>

Travel Tuesday: Paris!

Yesterday, we toured the spectacular Paris Opera house. Of course, we're now tired and need a place to put up our feet and relax. And t...

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Changes at Elle Decor & Metropolitan Home

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Wr-v6hs0PEixwULWro64iJzhL8iWQ3tc4PImxAEcSoSee5dGydQejP1exkhbw9NzT9UjmQSHT0ZQ1OmFmWfDRu6R4fSDSGngr7VhhJeUXBKD3_X_JSjM-2kFzdDSeI_lVAjIhamMTj2S/s1600-h/HFMmags.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308820841794114690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Wr-v6hs0PEixwULWro64iJzhL8iWQ3tc4PImxAEcSoSee5dGydQejP1exkhbw9NzT9UjmQSHT0ZQ1OmFmWfDRu6R4fSDSGngr7VhhJeUXBKD3_X_JSjM-2kFzdDSeI_lVAjIhamMTj2S/s400/HFMmags.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 245px;" /></a><br /><br />Hachette Filipacchi Media announced today that they are making changes to their publishing empire. And no, it doesn't mean the mags are closing (unlike Domino, et. al). According to their <a href="http://www.hfmus.com/hfmus/who_we_are/newsroom/hfm_u_s_creates_brand_centric_structure_for_leading_women_s_titles_to_maximize_brand_equity_integration_strategic_and_revenue_opportunities">press release</a> this change represents "<span class="content">a dynamic new structure to promote growth for the future by creating brand groups centered around the women's titles, each led by Chief Brand Officers. The Chief Brand Officers will have responsibility for their respective business units, including developing new revenue streams, setting brand direction across platforms, and integrating print and digital advertising sales. "</span><br /><br /><span class="content">Deborah Burns has been named Senior V.P., Chief Brand Officer, Luxury Design Group which includes ELLE DECOR and Metropolitan Home</span>. Deborah will report directly to <span class="content">Alain Lemarchand, President & CEO of HFM and serve on the company's Executive Committee. </span> <span class="content">Margaret Russell, VP, Brand Content, ELLE DECOR and Donna Warner, VP, Brand Content, Metropolitan Home will remain as Editors In Chief of their magazines and are additionally responsible for brand consistency and contributing content across platforms. "Preserving editorial integrity is key, and the Editors In Chief will be part of an Editorial Committee which Lemarchand will chair. The brand content editors will work closely with digital editors on the development of content through joint project groups; the Digital Media group will remain responsible for digital platforms."<br /><br />So, in real speak, what does this mean? It looks like the mags have finally caught on to the value of the digital world. Both Deborah Burns and House Beautiful's Steven Drucker said so in<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012101128.html"> this article</a> by Terri Sapienza of THE WASHINGTON POST.<br /><br />And, what will it mean for the design blogs? Says Steven Drucker" I think blogs are the best thing to happen in my 30 years in the industry. They spread the word about us. Blogs are basically magazines that are not financially viable. Magazines that are currently in peril would probably be much better off as blogs." <br /><br />Interesting question - as the shelter magazines ramp up their online presence, or even go solely internet based, what does that mean for today's design bloggers?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a><br /><br /><p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a></p>

Changes at Elle Decor & Metropolitan Home

Hachette Filipacchi Media announced today that they are making changes to their publishing empire. And no, it doesn't mean the mags are ...

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Music Hall Monday: Paris Opera House

This week on Music Hall Monday, we visit The Paris Opera House (now known as the Palais Garnier). which was built by architect Charles Garnier between 1857 - 1874. The building, located in the 9th arrondissement in the heart of Paris, is known for it's ornate exteriors of the Neo-Baroque style.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.operadeparis.fr/cns11/live/onp/resources/medias/rubriques/pratique/visites/Vue-Aerienne-Palais-Garnier.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.operadeparis.fr/cns11/live/onp/resources/medias/rubriques/pratique/visites/Vue-Aerienne-Palais-Garnier.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 476px; height: 317px;" /></a>For a lover of symmetry, this street layout is just spectacular! The current urban planning of Paris was brought about by the controversial <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_haussman">Baron Haussman</a> in the 19th Century.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA019871.jpg?size=67&uid=%7Be11e1d2d-c660-4b8e-87ff-8f3a9b5141c9%7D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://pro.corbis.com/images/YA019871.jpg?size=67&uid=%7Be11e1d2d-c660-4b8e-87ff-8f3a9b5141c9%7D" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 439px; height: 316px;" /></a>Rear view of the Palais Garnier. Now, that's what I call verdigris!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Helvetica,Arial;" ><b>Paris Opera Commentary</b></span> <p style="font-style: italic;"> "Although described by a contemporary critic as 'looking like an overloaded sideboard', it (the Paris Opera House) is now regarded as one of the masterpieces of the period. Here Garnier triumphed over a cramped and difficult site, handling the carriage-ramps and approach steps, the foyers and staircases, both in section and plan, with confidence and skill. The style is monumental, classically based and opulently expressed, as the times demanded, in an elaborate language of multicoloured marbles and lavish statuary. Throughout his life, Garnier was criticized for his excessive use of ornament, as Napoleon and Haussman are still accused of being inspired by an out-of-date and imperialist showmanship expressed in a language already debased. Such critics forget that every city needs its occasional monuments and occasions of grandeur, and that thanks largely to these three men, Paris remains one of the most beautiful cities in the world." </p><p style="font-style: italic;">— John Julius Norwich, ed. <span style="color: rgb(17, 102, 51);">Great Architecture of the World</span>. p214.</p><br /><br /><br />It's ornate interiors are equal to the exterior, the most well-known being the main stair case.<br /><br /><a href="http://data.greatbuildings.com/gbc/images/cid_1123538758_05180v.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://data.greatbuildings.com/gbc/images/cid_1123538758_05180v.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 485px; height: 653px;" /></a><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Opera_Garnier_Grand_Escalier.jpg/751px-Opera_Garnier_Grand_Escalier.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Opera_Garnier_Grand_Escalier.jpg/751px-Opera_Garnier_Grand_Escalier.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 496px; height: 395px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.spirit-of-paris.com/wp-content/photos/paris/divers/opera_spirit_of_paris.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.spirit-of-paris.com/wp-content/photos/paris/divers/opera_spirit_of_paris.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 485px; height: 323px;" /></a><a href="http://laiyuzeng.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/hofer_palaisgarnierviii_72dpi_20cm.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://laiyuzeng.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/hofer_palaisgarnierviii_72dpi_20cm.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 480px; height: 465px;" /></a>The main stair in the Opera House is a feast for a photographers eye. From any angle, there is something astounding to shoot.<br /><br />In 1896, one of the countr-weights for the chandelier fell, killing one. This, as well as the underground lake and other elements of the Opera House, inspired Gaston Leroux in 1910 to write his Gothic novel <span style="font-style: italic;">The Phantom of the Opera</span>.<br /><br />The main stair case was replicated in a fantastical manner in the 2004 movie starring Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum based on the Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical.<br /><br /><a href="http://outnow.ch/Media/Movies/Bilder/2004/PhantomOfTheOpera/movie.fs/14.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://outnow.ch/Media/Movies/Bilder/2004/PhantomOfTheOpera/movie.fs/14.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 489px; height: 334px;" /></a><br /><p>The interior consists of interweaving corridors, stairwells, alcoves and landings allowing the movement of large numbers of people and space for socializing during intermission. Rich with velvet, gold leaf, and cherubim and nymphs, the interior is characteristic of Baroque sumptuousness.</p><p><a href="http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/LIFPOD/701742%7EDetail-of-a-Mural-Decorating-the-Entire-Ceiling-of-the-Paris-Opera-House-Created-by-Jules-Lenepveu-Posters.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/LIFPOD/701742%7EDetail-of-a-Mural-Decorating-the-Entire-Ceiling-of-the-Paris-Opera-House-Created-by-Jules-Lenepveu-Posters.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 450px;" /></a></p> <p>The main concert hall seats 2,200 and the ceiling area, which surrounds the chandelier, was given a new painting in 1964 by Marc Chagall. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>This painting proved controversial, with many people feeling Chagall's work clashed with the style of the rest of the theatre.<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ronrothman.com/public/albums/paris-200512/IMG_5489.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ronrothman.com/public/albums/paris-200512/IMG_5489.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 436px; height: 327px;" /></a><a href="http://laiyuzeng.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/f_paris_opera_32.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://laiyuzeng.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/f_paris_opera_32.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 411px; height: 412px;" /></a><a href="http://www.wayfaring.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/opera-garnier-paris.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.wayfaring.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/opera-garnier-paris.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 477px; height: 316px;" /></a><a href="http://laiyuzeng.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/paris_opera_-main_hall.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://laiyuzeng.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/paris_opera_-main_hall.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 458px; height: 461px;" /></a>Note the hand-painted trompe l'oeil safety curtain<br /></div><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gz3jBUmzqlQ&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Gz3jBUmzqlQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />This video is a pretty slow rendition of this piece, but the beginning shows the trompe l'oeil curtain raising and a very nice stage setting.<br /><br /><a href="http://ronrothman.com/public/albums/paris-200512/136_3690.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ronrothman.com/public/albums/paris-200512/136_3690.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 405px; height: 539px;" /></a><br /><a href="http://ronrothman.com/public/albums/paris-200512/137_3706.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ronrothman.com/public/albums/paris-200512/137_3706.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 409px; height: 544px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.francethisway.com/places/images/paris-opera-house.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.francethisway.com/places/images/paris-opera-house.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 415px; height: 278px;" /></a><a href="http://www.gayparis.com/att-palais-garnier.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.gayparis.com/att-palais-garnier.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 461px; height: 344px;" /></a><a href="http://www.parismarais.com/le-marais-guide/pics/musicians/opera-marais-paris.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.parismarais.com/le-marais-guide/pics/musicians/opera-marais-paris.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 491px; height: 295px;" /></a>Grand hall set for a sumptuous meal.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1919946.jpg?size=67&uid=%7B4b279371-9f76-494c-85d5-ab02667e5437%7D" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1919946.jpg?size=67&uid=%7B4b279371-9f76-494c-85d5-ab02667e5437%7D" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 455px; height: 299px;" /></a>Princess Grace of Monaco (formerly Grace Kelly) , at age 48, on the roof of the Opera House, 1977<br /></div><br /><a href="http://gallery.mac.com/linda.m.merrill/100872/100_3021/web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.mac.com/linda.m.merrill/100872/100_3021/web.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 477px; height: 357px;" /></a>I shot this image from the café on the top floor of Printemps Department store last year. You can see the Opera House just behind the dome. And yes, I am kicking myself that I didn't tour the Opera House in person when I was there. I stayed right next store at the <a href="http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-0663-sofitel-paris-le-scribe/index.shtml">Hotel Scribe</a> too!<br /><br />Speaking of hotels, come back tomorrow for<a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/search/label/Travel%20Tuesday"> Travel Tuesday</a> where I will showcase a few of Paris' amazing boutique hotels!<br /><br />Images courtesy of:<br /><a href="http://ronrothman.com/gallery/paris-200512/136_3666">RonRothman.com</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palais_Garnier">Wikipedia.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.operadeparis.fr/cns11/live/onp/site/pratique/visites/Garnier/Presentation/index.php?lang=en">Opera de Paris</a><br /><a href="http://www.wayfaring.info/category/countries/france/page/6/">Wayfaring Info</a><br /><a href="http://forum.galacticwatercooler.com/showthread.php?p=36232">Galactic Water Cooler</a><br /><a href="http://www.francethisway.com/places/photos-of-paris.php">France This Way</a><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a><br /><br /><p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a></p>

Music Hall Monday: Paris Opera House

This week on Music Hall Monday, we visit The Paris Opera House (now known as the Palais Garnier). which was built by architect Charles Garn...

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