My nails are tinted two layers of dark oak and have never looked better. Its grittiness reflecting back at me really gives me a sense of satisfaction, of near completion, and the fact that I have done it! Cosmetically remodeling my apartment has not been easy, but I’ve learned that the construction of an Ikea bookcase requires just as much care as the construction of a shift dress.
My latest obsession is my personal environment. Like it or not, I can’t quite afford to move just yet, so I thought I’d throw in a few pennies, roll up my sleeves and make my home workplace my haven. My bible thus far has been a genius, dog-eared copy of The Paris Apartment. Its like the visual equivalent of truffle butter for me. Author Claudia Strasser is the owner of the eponymous LES boutique of the same name, as well as having an interior consultation business that guides francofiles like myself to reimagine their space as a Parisian boudoir. I’ve been reading (and rereading) the book for well over a year, and image my surprise when I realized that there was not only a website, but a well written inspirational blog by the author as well! Her pictures and almost daily documentations of everything from flea market finds of vintage perfume bottle labels and furniture shows in Paris is enough to make the creative side of my brain go into meltdown. Claudia has an amazing eye for luxury, yet she teaches you how to make flea market bits look like Louis XIV relics. I can’t say enough good things about her book or her blog, I jut can’t wait until I scrape together enough pennies to be able to afford her services to redecorate my apartment!
30/07/2008 at 2:44 pm Permalink
Thank you for this beautiful mention! I would love to see what you’re doing…can you email me pics? And btw, putting an Ikea piece together is more complicated than a dress (or the Brooklyn Bridge) to be sure! and they make it seem so easy!! Hope your place is starting to take shape. Enjoy the process!