France Series - The Left Bank

Our journey in Paris on this beautiful October day continued after visiting its most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower (see prior entry). We set off with map in hand. We walked through the narrow streets toward Boulevard Saint Germain. Apon arriving, we found bustling intersections filled with energy and activity. There, towering before us, contrasting against this modern-day commotion, was the 6th century church of the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Seated around the plaza, we found art students from the École des Beaux-Arts, sketching their day's lesson. It was inspiring just to experience.

Across from the church plaza is the famed café Les Deux Magots, known to have attracted such inspired patrons as Ernest Hemingway, Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus and Pablo Picasso. The scene was so typical of French cafés. Small tables positioned tightly around the exterior of the entrance, beneath the awning, all facing the street. It is a favorite past-time to people watch while enjoying mouth-watering delights. French onion soup, quiche, baguette, tarte tatin, and of course, le café. Coffee in France is typically served strong and black in petite demi-tasse cups with cubed sugar. Once you've acquired its taste, however, there's no comparison to its aroma or body...

Pulling ourselves away from the temptation of gluttony, we continued down Rue Boneparte, passing the École des Beaux-Arts. This famous school has trained some of the world's most renowned artists and architects. American architect Julia Morgan, best known for her work on the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California, was the first female to gratuate from their architecture program.At last, we reached the stone-walled bank of the beautiful Seine river. Its numerous batobus tours were running up and down the waterway. On the opposite bank, the Louvre stood majestic and vast. Originally the royal palace, it is now the world's most visited art museum. And housing 35,000 objects, is one of the largest. (More on the Louvre in a future blog.)

The leaves were beginning to turn autumn shades. The air was crisp and clean, warming as the day progressed. We followed the river bank path, passing the Institut de France...

photo by Benh LIEU SONG from Pont des Arts

From there we could see Pont Neuf, Paris' oldest standing bridge. From this arch bridge, the eastern side of the Île de la Cité connects to the city's two banks. The Île de la Cité is one of two naturally formed island in the city, along with the Île Saint-Louis. It is the heart of the city from which all roads are calculated and its medieval birthplace. Historically, a small Gallic tribe, the Parisii, are thought to have lived on this island from the 3rd century BC-the Roman era during the Iron Age. It remained an important military and political center throughout the Middle Ages.The 16th century details and stone carvings of the bridge can be seen from below.

These projecting curved elements topping each abutment are bench seats, accessed from the walkway above. Lovers can cozy up, embraced by its curve and the knowledge that the city surrounds them. It's no wonder that this city is known for its romance.

Next stop... Notre Dame de Paris...

France Series - Eiffel Tower and Beyond

I've always believed that travel is good for the mind and soul. It exposes us to culture, language, food and surroundings beyond the familiar setting of our everyday. On one such trip to France with my husband, I photographed as much of the allure of this culture as my eye could capture. Among the beauty are numerous iconic monuments as well as some not-so-familiar, yet beautiful structures.

Our first stop in Paris...the Eiffel Tower. Not yet adjusted to Parisian time, we woke up very early on our first day to the city. We decided to brave the metro during rush-hour and head across town to see the tower that we'd only ever seen in photos and movies.

Le Tour Eiffel at Sunrise

One of the most famed towers in the world was, at the time it was constructed, very controversial. Built in 1889 as the entrance arch to the World's Fair, it was received with much criticism. Many saw it as an eye-sore against the traditional French style of architecture seen throughout the city.

Here you can see how the lace-like texture of the structure is created by the intricate ironwork and archways.

The views from above were spectacular. You can see most of the other famous monuments throughout the city from the top observation deck. The Arc de Triomphe is off in the distance...

On the mid-level deck, the tower casts a shadow on the embracing wings of the Palais de Chaillot. Beyond is La Défense, the business district of Paris.

We headed off on, what turned out to be a full-day journey on foot. We strolled through the streets taking in the distinctly French apartment buildings. This one displayed example of the interesting parking job common in Paris.

And one can't mention Paris without talking about Art Nouveau. This style of art and architecture peaked at the turn of the 20th century between 1890-1905. Classic examples are widely displayed among Parisian metro signs.

Contemporary Mediterranean-Style Design

Living here in sunny, warm El Dorado Hills, I'm surrounded by golden hills and oak meadows, nestled in the foothills between the Sierra-Nevada and the Sacramento Valley. The local vinyards lend inspiration to the Tuscan-inspired architecture. The nearby San Francisco bay area and Napa/Sonoma Valley also provide influence to the vernacular architecture of the region. I feel fortuate to live in a lovely home among such natural beauty.

El Dorado Hills, California

Photo by Ali Giaudrone

However, there is a huge difference between developed stock homes and thought-invoked architecture created for a specific site. As a design enthusiast, I continually search for architecture that lifts my spirits and motivates me.

I was flipping through the latest issue of Architectural Digest for October 2008 and found, among several awe-inspiring homes, the quintessential masterpiece. This resort like setting exemplifies my true personal style. With his clients Gary Friedman, president and CEO of Restoration Hardware and his wife, designer Kendal Agins Friedman, architect Howard Backen of Backen Gillam Architects created this amazing blend of old world influence and pure, sleek moderism. Their vision was to capture views in all directions. The core axis of the residence faces the Golden Gate Bridge with wings that wrap the adjacent views of downtown San Francisco, the bay, Sausalito and Mount Tamalpais.

This 1st floor plan shows the angled wings with the infinity pool that faces the bay.

The open arm embrace of the motor court is a perfect balance of symmetry.

Photo by Erhard Pfeiffer

"They began with the idea of a great room that would spill out onto what is essentially an at-home resort--a stepped pool terrace with oversize furniture in niches, a fireplace, a hot tub and an infinity pool that seems to drop into the bay. This 'not really a room' room is Backen's specialty, resulting in mahogany pocket doors and companion screens that completely disappear and eliminate the barrier between indoors and out." --Patricia Leigh Brown, AD

Seating areas angled around the infinity pool with varied views of the bay beyond.

Photo by Erhard Pfeiffer Steel trelliswork supported by square columns covers the upper terraces.Photo by Erhard Pfeiffer The core of the home's dining room opens fully onto the terrace. The infinity pool appears to drop into the bay with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge beyond. Photo by Erhard Pfeiffer

Opposite the dining area, the symmetrical living area displays antiques and artifacts. Juxtaposed against the clean lines of the architecture, the pieces give the room warm and a rich texture.Photo by Erhard Pfeiffer

The kitchen is surrounded by windows to take full advantage of the sunrise and sunset views. Use of abunant island storage replaces conventional wall cabinets.Photo by Erhard Pfeiffer

In the master suite, the doors disappear onto the terrace with an uninterrupted view of the bay leading to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Photo by Erhard Pfeiffer

The master bath brings sunlight in through the skylight and French doors. The wall sconces illuminate the space while the neutral palette of the built-in cabinets, stone floor and counters topped with surface mounted basins evoke a simple, yet luxurious spa-like feeling.

Photo by Erhard Pfeiffer

This amazing residence epitomizes California living, where the indoors is blended contiguously with the outdoors. The contemporary lines combined with Tuscan-inspired details creates a masterfully crafted home carved into the hillside.

Now that's inspiring!

Pure Design

For me, "pure design" is uncluttered, bold and sophisticated. I love contemporary design. It's modern, yet warm and livable. There are a lot of great sources out there for great design. From them, I have found my own inspiration. Below are a few of my favorites that I thought that I'd share.

Kreiss has some really nice furniture with wonderfully clean, contemporary designs.

Andreas Charalambous of FORMA Design created some nice bedroom designs that I've had in my inspiration library. Like Kreiss, his palettes are neutral with large pieces, but he adds striking punches of bold color as accents.
These are just a few of my favorites that I've found. Notice how important lighting becomes in order to illuminate the design and add a beautiful glow to the room. Don't be afraid to go bold, but also realize the purity of Mies van der Rohe's euphemism when he said, "Less is more."

Get Organized

If you're like me, you keep everything of (what you mistake as) value. You know: perfectly good, but rarely, if ever, used. Let's start with your wardrobe. This includes the expensive, but outdated designer outfit hanging in your closet. I had one hanging up that was at least a size too small, but cost me a fortune 8 years ago when I bought it.

Then, there are also those items with a certain sentimental value to them. What about the set of china that you registered for when you got married 10 years ago? Does it sit there taking up space in a china cabinet? Or better yet, maybe it's stored away in boxes collecting dust. You're just waiting until the kids grow up for an opportunity to use them. I know. I mean, who wants to wash 16 place settings of fine china anyway?

Well, here are my rules to obtaining organization in every aspect of your life:

Rule #1: If you haven't touched it in 2 years, get rid of it.

Chances are that you don't value it as much as you thought. Wear clothing that make you feel fabulous. And, as I discusses in my previous blog on personalizing your space, only display and keep items in your home that reflect your best self. You want to make sure the things around you make you feel good. For anything that doesn't meet this criteria, donate it to your favorite charity, have a garage sale or sell it online. Ebay and Craig's List are popular sites for selling new and used items on the web. This includes all of those toys in which your children no longer have interest. Get you kids involve. Let them know you'd like to gather toys and clothes for less fortunate children. It will teach them generosity along with how to pare down.

Rule #2: Stop the over-consumption!! Things do not define you as a person. Just because it's on sale doesn't mean you need or even want it. Think through your purchases carefully. Don't even bring them into your home if they are only serving short term fulfillment. Besides being an awful waste resources, it just wastes your preciously earned money. It is so irritating to see clothes that have sat in my closet for months with their tags still hanging from them. Then, before I know it, they're off to be donated with the tags still attached. I realize that I never really wanted them in the first place. Remember, we only want to own things that reflect the best in us.

Rule #3: Sort, Categorize, Alphabetize, and Label!

Honestly, not only does it make your space and storage look nice, but these are really key to an organized, efficient space. It only takes a conscious effort to put things back in their place. I eliminate wasted time searching by returning things to their proper location each time I put them away. By installing a closet system, I categorize and sort by color clothes in my closet, socks in my drawer and shoes on my shelf. It really saves me precious time getting ready in the morning. There are professional closet installers or you can do it yourself with a basic system from Lowe's or Home Depot.

Alphabetize your spice rack and store pantry items so that they are all visible. My pantry is divided into sections so that I know exactly where to find what I'm looking for. It will help you determine what you need from the grocery store and what to make for dinner. It is especially handy to divide your kitchen into zones according to tasks and store frequently used items within easy reach.

In addition to storage cabinets and shelving, there are also some really great storage boxes for everything from your children's art and toys to magazines and media. West Elm has some nice options. I keep our CDs alphabetized in a CD cabinet and DVDs stacked on shelves in labeled boxes. This allows me to quickly and efficiently find what I want to listen to or watch. However, this is also an area that can get out of hand. Take a look at what you own and whether you still have any interest in that music or movie. Check out SecondSpin.com to sell your unwanted CDs and DVDs. Recycle your outdated magazines or clip and file articles (by category, of course) that you want to maintain for reference.

Incorporating these rules into your life will not only create organization, but they will lighten your psychological load. You may not realize it, but clutter and disorganization has profound affects on your mind too. Alleviate stress and frustration: use these tips and get ORGANIZED!!

Personalizing a Space

Architecture and design are my passion. In design, I create visual interest through the combined use of contrasting elements, including color, texture, material, cultural influence and placement. It is important to include pieces that accentuate your personality and style. My style is inspired by cultures throughout the world. I include items that I've both purchased on my travels and in my favorite boutiques. But I also find pleasure integrating furniture and accessories from some of my favorites ubiquitous stores as Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Resoration Hardware, Z Gallerie and West Elm.

In accessorizing the entry hall below, I combined pieces using earthen elements and tones. Smooth, metalic-finished ceramics and a dark, polished mirrored bench are grouped with contrasting rough surfaces of light wood and wicker and velvet-textured textiles. New pieces are integrated with antique treasures. I especially love the ornate, metal gate which anchors the items and provides a unique, textural backdrop. Pieces are positioned to emphasize the gradual rise of the gracefully curving staircase.

I adore design influence from around the world. In this corner niche, I grouped and layered elements for interest. African ebony candlesticks contrast against the elevated Asian-influenced hammered brass platter and gracefully curved ceramic urns. Combined, the pieces provide visual movement and balance.

It is important to design with a sense of pride. Maintaining a space free of clutter provides clarity of mind and contributes to a look of distinction. Display charished items. Eliminate excess. Allow your space to radiate your ideal self.

Building Humanitarian Compassion

I just finished the book Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace. . . One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.

This incredible memoir is about Greg Mortenson's journey in 1993 to unsuccessfully climb K2, the world's second-highest mountain, in the Karakoram range of northern Pakistan. Instead, he finds his life's mission to build schools for the most impoverished villages of Pakistan and Afganistan.

This is an inspiring book that shows how true humanitarian spirit in action and education for all can make this world a safer place. If our government would takes it cue from people like Mortenson, spend more of its resources on aid and less on weapons, it would make such a more positive effect on society and change the perception of Americans worldwide. It would also give us Americans more reason to feel passionate and proud to call this country our home. I feel so incredibly fortunate to live in a country of free will and to have the opportunities that I've been given. And reading this book makes me further grateful for the freedom that our country possesses.

However, it should also be said that we could learn a lot from cultures such a this. During construction of the first school for the village of Korphe, village leader and mentor to Mortenson, Haji Ali, taught him a very valuable lesson (p. 150). "If you want to survive (in Pakistan and Afganistan), you must respect our ways. We drink three cups of tea to do business; the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third, you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anything--even die." He advised "Dr. Greg" as he was known, "You must make time to share three cups of tea. We may be uneducated. But we are not stupid."

That day Mortenson learned "to share three cups of tea, to slow down and make building relationships as important as building projects. He taught me that I had more to learn from the people I work with than I could ever hope to teach them."

Culture is a beautiful thing and should be supported and celebrated. Terror exists through ignorance and indifference. And we Americans are not immune to its effects. This book is an education in itself. It is so enlightening into the world of Islam so misunderstood by the majority of Westerners.

In a powerfully delivered speech inaugurating the Kuardu School (p. 257), Syed Abbas, supreme religious leader of Northern Pakistan's Shi'a, requested America to "look into our hearts and see that the great majority of us are not terrorists, but good and simple people. Our land is stricken with poverty because we are without education. But today, another candle of knowledge has been lit." Mortenson wished that "Americans who think 'Muslim' is just another way of saying 'terrorist' could have been there that day. The true core tenants of Islam are justice, tolerance, and charity, and Syed Abbas represented the moderate center of Muslim faith eloquently."

As one who hopes to continually be inspired and passionate in my endeavors, I will work to be compassionate, understanding and cooperative as Greg Mortenson has proven to be. This book is an inspiration to all of humanity.