jux·ta·po·si·tion

 

jux·ta·po·si·tion : the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.

 

Do you know what these Parisians that I live amongst have mastered? Juxtaposition. They have the concept of juxtaposition down to an art form. When you have an apartment that dates back to the 1700s or 1800s, I think the stylish thing to do is to let the bones of the apartment speak for themselves and let the furnishings and accessories have their own spotlight. Chic Parisians agree. It’s all about the mix. Mixing styles, mixing eras, mixing designs, mixing elements etc. But not too much! It has to be juuuuuuust the right amount. And by the way, I’m talking about mixing 18^th-century boiserie with Jacques Adnet, not mixing 18^th-century boiserie with Ethan Allen, for God’s sake. Let’s have some self-respect, shall we?” Okay, let’s take a look at some dropdead gorgeous juxtaposed spaces…

 

How fine! How wonderful! How refreshing! How unique! How très chic! Don’t you just want to throw away everything in your house and start over? I do. There are more examples on my Have Some Decorum Juxtaposition Pinterest Board HERE. Yesterday, I saw, with my very own eyes one of the best examples of this juxtaposition. I almost had a design heart attack. I was invited over for petit déjeuner to one of the chicest family’s apartment in Paris. As soon as the front doors were opened, I was all in. They had me at the entry. The uniqueness of their apartment matched their warm hospitality. Style, grace, elegance, humor and joie de vivre. I am going to ask permission today (because I have manners) to do a blog posting tomorrow on “My Morning with the Chicest Family in Paris.” Stay tuned.

*Something you don’t know about me? I like to take the side streets. It’s where all the magic happens. This is where you find the quirky, the unusual, the low-key, the jewels, the charming, the not so perfect, the marvelous, the special and the magnificent part of life. Take the side streets!