S.HOPtalk: out and about

Monday, February 4, 2008

{ paris then and now: paris ~ day 7 }

Today we have the pleasure of experiencing the grandeur of Paris' finest hotels thanks to one of my new online discoveries, ParisHotelBoutique. This dazzling online shop is the creation of Lynn Goldfinger-Abram, an antiques enthusiast and collector extraordinaire who has captured the elegance and glitz of a bygone era through her fabulous collection of hotel silver, china, and other worldly souvenirs. One can't help but fantasize about the glamourous pasts of Lynn's charming teapots, monogrammed platters and crested serving pieces that once graced the interiors of the world's finest hotels including, the Ritz and Fairmont in San Francisco, the Waldorf and Plaza in New York, and Paris' own Grand Hotel du Pavillon and Hotel Meurice.

Lynn's knack for uncovering one-of-a-kind finds and timeless design approach are both evident in the exquisite furnishings, vintage lighting and extraordinary jewelry pieces that round out her inspiring boutique.

However, the true piece d'resistance (IMHO), is Lynn's own inspiring home, which she has graciously shared with her loyal following through her design and style blog and through a recent Apartment Therapy home tour feature.

Here you can sneak a peek at Lynn's eclectic mix of intriguing period pieces and carefully edited collections.

As a third generation San Franciscan, Lynn has fond memories of celebrating special occasions amidst the grandeur of legendary San Francisco hotels like the Palace and the Fairmont. Recreating these grand design elements in her own San Francisco home was the inspiration for her self described, 'Hollywood Glamour meets Paris Hotel with a twist' interior design approach.

I think Lynn further describes her style best when she says, "A home should be unique, interesting and reflect your own style. I never wanted anyone to walk in my home and feel like they're on a stage set or stepped back into a specific decade."

She goes on to offer this advice, "If you buy classic pieces from any decade, they will never go out of style."

You can glean more of Lynn's design wisdom and 'thrill of the hunt" tips through her design & style blog. To snag some of her fabulous finds for yourself, visit her her frequently updated online shop, ParisHotelBoutique, or stop by Lynn's brick-and-mortar offering at Past Perfect, located in San Francisco. But act quickly...savvy collectors and designers alike have caught on to Lynn's keen eye for great design...pieces don't seem to stick around for long.

{ all photos courtesy of ParisHotelBoutique...merci beaucoup! }

This wraps up our stateside tour of Paris...I hope you have enjoyed this brief glimpse into the magic of this city. Do you have a favorite place you like to visit? We'd love to hear about it.

Friday, February 1, 2008

{ objects of desire: paris ~ day 5 }

Miette of San Francisco

I have discovered some amazing french and french-inspired finds during some recent online escapades...perfect for holding me over until I'm able to get back to Paris and { in my Parisian fantasy } book one of these amazing shopping tours.

I thought today I would do some Paris window shopping and would love for you to join me...

Imagine...you have just awoken from a fabulous night in this hotel–

which is located in the St. Germain district–a central location that is perfect for seeing Paris 'by foot' (which I highly recommend). It's also just a short stroll to the Marais district–a charming, treasure trove of quaint, independently owned boutiques, fresh food markets and outdoor cafes. It is here that I discovered some of my most treasured Paris finds.