Hannah Stouffer @ The Bohemians

As part of our new spring offering, we will be featuring a variety of items (women's tops, art prints for framing, cards) with images created by Los Angeles based artist and illustrator ~ Hannah Stouffer.

Hannah's work and inspiration is described below ...

The contrary notions of darkness and light and the ever-present existence of the two drives Los Angeles based illustrator, Hannah Stouffer, to explore the greatest struggle that we endure, our own imminent contrasts. Facing the inevitable oppositions between love, lust and gore, decadence, wrath and fate, Stouffer’s work is an opulent, elegant and beautifully intricate mixture of decoration, nostalgic animalia and emotion. Her densely packed compositions consciously recall classical and current attractions, creating cohesively opposing arrays of imagery and embellishment. She focuses on the contrasts that exist and occur within each destined plan, and merges them together with a high regard for balance and rich, repetitive adornment.

Hannah is a friend and supporter of our Berkeley boutique, Mignonne Décor. We have been lucky to feature custom designed images for Mignonne in the past ... and are thrilled to offer a sampling of her work here at our Brantôme location.

Check out more of Hannah's personal and commercial work here at her site, grandarray.com ... or stop by in March to get a peek at what's in store at The Bohemians!

Pantone has nothing on Paris!

So, as reported earlier, Pantone announced a certain shade of turquoise as "the" color of 2010.

While strolling the Sentier quartier in Paris recently (the garment & design district), what should I spy but this amazing and antique doorway ...

Apparently that certain shade of turquoise has been "the" color for sometime...

but then, what else would one expect from Paris but fashion forward?

à bientôt!

Parisian wonders ...

As I was strolling the Sentier, soaking up the scenes, I passed this wondrous little window filled with children's mannequins from eras gone by.

I've more pics to share (alas, just phone snaps) of the covered lanes that (maybe only in my imagination) housed some of the original dressmakers and designers of the day. Mostly Jewish (in the past, evidenced by the remnants of old signs from the past), these covered alleys must have bustled in their day.

Now, it was kind of sad ... as many appeared abandoned, dusty, unused. There was a kosher restaurant ... sort of lunch counter... still soldiering on and it was filled. But there was a sense of a spot time has forgotten.

Anyway, enough rambling...cool window, non?

Paris inspiration!

Well, I spent a wonderful week in Paris and have returned energized and inspired. The Maison et Objét show was enormous! There were 6 huge warehouses with different themes ... from ethnic and modern to textiles to tabletop and everything in between.

My favorite was the salon featuring Interior Design. Designers from around the globe recreated rooms of every size, fashion, color, theme and utility. There were some absolutely gorgeous furniture pieces and arrangements.

I went armed with a camera but everywhere I looked were signs stating photographs were forbidden and would get you ejected from the show! this was on marketing material, signs throughout the show, etc.

It was very confusing then to see folks snapping pics right and left! Towards the end, I used my phone to sneak some shots which I will share shortly.

I also spent time in the Sentier quartier ... which was very reminiscent of NY's garment district. The streets were lined with chic fashionistas from every country imaginable ... all the boutiques had signs stating they sold in bulk only, no retail, please don't insist!!!

I found a fun line of summery dresses and cool jackets and picked up a small selection to try in the shop. They were quite different from our current line so should make a nice contrast. Also a few belts and bags and jewelry.

One thing I'm excited about is I found a sewing shop - well they didn't sell material but all of the accoutrements for sewing plus trim ... I bought a bunch of stuff to try my hand at making some brooches. Plus, since I returned I've finally bought a French sewing machine. So I'll be trying some bags of my own and maybe some cushions.

Lastly, I've assembled a collection of furniture for refinishing. I've got a dining table, round with a huge leaf ... probably would seat 10 or 12 with the leaf. Also picked up a nightstand with marble top and a small sideboard. Add these to the bread bins and old shelves and coat hangers and I'd say I've got my work cut out for me.

Next week, FULL steam ahead on furniture refurbishment!!!

Springtime is just around the corner!