I mentioned in a previous post that there were several decorative arts events in Paris during the week of September 17th, a showhouse sponsored by Architectural Digest France and La Biennale des Antiquaires which is held every two years in Paris and is one of my favorite events in the city so I never miss it. I ended up doing a marathon of both events on the same night since I didn't have much free time away from work. The good thing is that I got a ton of great photos.
Architectural Digest France sponsored its 3rd annnual showhouse "AD Intérieurs 2012" hosted by the Artcurial Auction house in Paris from September 14th to 21st. I found out about it by chance when I picked up a copy of September's issue of Architectural Digest. Look at the gorgeous front door of Artcurial, which is housed in the Hôtel particulier Marcel Dassault that is situated right on the Champs-Elyssés.
Twelve interior designers were chosen for this year's exhibition and given carte blanche to present their interpretation of the theme "Voyages imaginaires" (Imaginary Travel). I was pretty excited as this would be the first showhouse that did not conflict with my schedule nor my geographic location. Most showhouses are in the United States and I do not get to head back to the states very often.
I was acutally quite astounded with the range of styles exhibited by the designers in their interpretation of this theme. A couple of the design elements that kept repeating themselves throughout the rooms was the empasis placed on ligthing to set the ambiance, wall treatments and the extensive use of screens, as well as mirrors.
Jean-Louis Deniot's interpretation of the showhouse theme "Le Salon Ethnique Graphique" had a cozy and yet very modernistic almost science fiction movie set feeling to it, at least for me. The interesting thing is that his inspiration for this room came from an African design.
His repetitive use of geometric shapes throughout the room is quite visible especially in those chairs. I really wanted to try them out
but we were not allowed to sit on most of the furniture. I wondered how long I
could actually sit still in one of those without having to readjust
myself.
You see what I meant about screens and mirrors. The screen behind those lounge chairs was enormous. There was a similar type of reflective finish around the fireplace that mimicked the screens.
I really found the contrast between hard and soft quite dramatic as you can see from the geometric shapes repeated throughout mixed in with very textural soft furnishings.
The entrance hall to the room had a wonderful wall treatement that played off the sensual curves of the accessories such as the mirror and the soft textile used to cover the bench on the opposite wall.
The "Salles de Bain Atlantide" (Atlantis Bathroom) by Bruno Moinard was out of this world. More conceptual than practical with the use of relaxing sounds of water (like the kind they pipe in when you're getting a massage) as well as water imagery projected onto three screens it was a study in the stimulation of the five senses in interior design. Mr. Moinard actually succeeded in creating a very soothing atmosphere that was obviously a hit judging by the number of people that were congregating in the room.
Main entrance to the Atlantis bathroom with lots of... Mirrors! The use of curtains down the hall actually set the tone for the rest of the experience I find.
This is what you see right after the mirrors as you enter the main room. The long hallway actually contributes to that element of surprise when you walk into the bathroom and find all your senses being stimulated with the water imagery being projected accompanied by water sounds. The only thing missing was a subtle ambiance perfume for smell, something fresh and light. They could have also asked people to remove their shoes and provide them with a bathrobe just to see what would happen. I am not sure how practical any of it was but it was very lovely. The room was like a live inspiration board.
Bench in plexi (I think) which was ribbed underneath and projected a tromp l'oeil waterlike image with the overhead lighting. It was my favorite object in the room.
A prototype of an egg shaped bathtub in ebony suspended from behind on what looked like a steel beam. The two snake-like objects are supposed to be the faucets. One of Mr. Moinard's interns, who was in the room to answer questions explained that there was no drainage since it was still in the prototype phase.
This lamp covered in smoked semi-precious crystals was giving off quite a bit of heat. Towel warmer?
To be continued...
Photos by Studio Sue.
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