Inspiration for Adobe is not bound by the walls of the store or rooms of a home. It often comes from how people are dressed, what is on my plate and old treasures found from around the world.
Paris during Design Week offered a feast for creativity and innovation. And while I found lots to fill the shop at Maison & Objet, more importantly I saw Paris in all its beauty and packed with some of the finest designers, all dressed to suit and seeking the style, beauty and craftsmanship that the French do so well.
What I Ate (and How) The food was wonderful, but it was the atmosphere that stayed with me. Lapérouse was unforgettable — every wall a different wallpaper, every fabric on the wall mirrored in the chair beneath it. Music, service, design: all one cohesive magic.
Sourcing
Maison & Objet was the main draw. I got to see the full collections from brands we already carry — Haomy's range was incredible — plus new European brands that rarely make it stateside (none of which fit on the motorbike taken straight past the Eiffel Tower). That bounty is hitting the store very soon.
The flea market deserves its own mention. Images don't do it justice. Beyond the typical vintage stalls were pristine showrooms of centuries-old furniture — likely pulled from châteaux, in perfect condition. I barely scratched the surface and can't wait to return to find even more treasures.
What People Were Wearing
My creativity soars when I can dress with purpose, I don't see it much differently than styling a room, it is all visual expression. And Paris expects you to get dressed, so I had so much fun with fashion on this trip.
I feel like brooches are having a moment right now. I saw them on all kinds of people, mostly men, which was really interesting and wonderful. People were wearing them on hats, coats and on blazers. I followed suit and I created my own collection of brooches throughout the week from all the vintage shops which was probably my favorite personal purchase of the trip.
Culture & Company
I traveled with the sisters of Design 4 Corners, and seeing Paris through a shared creative lens made everything richer. We attended a cocktail party, an American dinner in Paris, and — most memorably — visited Pierre Frey, where we met the founder and learned how their 19th-century archival pieces inform their current patterns and color stories. That kind of history quietly lives in every piece and I got to see where design is going based on where it has been.
Look out for part 2, where we highlight some things you can find some Paris in Adobe (stores).
