Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

“Naughty” Pillow Talk

naughty pillow talk

 

"Love this knotty pillow," was my first thought, then I added, "But I don't think it (they) will be very practical for the apartment rental." Yann rubbed his ears, then fainted from shock… Before he hit the ground he asked, "When are you ever practical?

 

Polka dotted roman blinds

 

Later in another shop I saw polka dotted roman blinds, I "Oohed," and went into full description mode of how they could work and look good in the apartment.

"The kitchen has the same palette, it would marry well with these blinds," I was on a roll, "A contemporary baroque feel, is what I am after. Do you think we could make these work: Wooden floors, black stone tiles, chandeliers…"

What do you think?

Lacey, girly is not me… old, muted, peeling is … with a touch of black.

 

 

18th century French textiles, silver beads,

 

The comments you all left me when I first started this project keep ringing in my ears, "User-friendly." Rings the loudest.

The knotty pillow is not user-friendly, naughty pillow.

But then again neither are the 18th-century silk patchwork pillows.

Gulp.

How do I stay true to my brocante style and yet stay in tune with user-friendly?

Gee, am I going to be practical after all? 

 

Comments

16 responses to ““Naughty” Pillow Talk”

  1. Star

    I know nothing about decorating, but I’m having so much fun “watching” you put the Paris apartment together. I think the knotty/naughty pillow is cute, but you are right that it is probably not practical. I know you’ll make the right decisions!

    Reply
  2. Jillayne

    I think user friendly is important, but….not every single thing has to fit that bill; sometimes, I think the best use of something is that it inspires you, makes you think, makes you dream. I like the knotty pillow.

    Reply
  3. Diogenes

    Love the polka dot blinds, Corey.
    Brocante style and user friendly? Just make all the bed linens, towels, and everything the guest has to use on a daily basis, be modern and washable and durable. You can go to brocante town on the walls with art, sconces, maybe an old commode or semanier (sp?). I know it will be wonderful.

    Reply
  4. Helene

    Those combinations are GREAT! I can hardly wait to see the finished project. Kudos to you and Belle Mere. I love that your relationship is flowering over this project in ways that you may not have expected. That is the richness of life, isn’t it. You two can be style pals, each with an eye to offer the other.

    Reply
  5. Marilyn

    Practical with whimsy. Love the blinds. You can’t do wrong if you love it. It will be wonderful.

    Reply
  6. Kathie B

    From a practical standpoint, the polka-dotted blinds shouldn’t show dust or stains so easily!

    Reply
  7. WR

    Corey, you are on the RIGHT track. User friendly yes, but one that reflects who you are. Yes rough wood and chandeliers and stone and brocade. Love that tension between textures and eras. I know this will be great. People who stay there will love it and appreciate it and respect it fully.

    Reply
  8. WR

    P.s. I love the Naughty/Knotty pillow and would include it in the decor.

    Reply
  9. Carol L

    I’ve always said to myself….”If I ever get to go to France I hope everything there is practical”. NOT !
    Naughty is so much more fun and lets face it, if it gets worn out, abused or even stolen its not like you don’t live in the middle of everything fabulous and cant replace it. Non?

    Reply
  10. jend’isère

    Brocante wares are practical by natre to have already withstood time. Perhaps the old fragile things should be those décorations which are out of reach, such as chandeliers, vases or paintings. Restaurants lists could encourage guests to eat out, less wear on dinnerware and kitchen.

    Reply
  11. Jeannie

    I hope you go with the polka dot blinds. Practical is good, but you don’t want the apartment sterile. Use what you love and others will respect it and acknowledge that the apartment was decorated with love.

    Reply
  12. Gail

    Blinds are one thing… Pillows that could be man handled and lounged upon another…. It will be a beautiful space.

    Reply
  13. Limner

    Shucks! That nubby knobbly pillow will bring comfort to many a cheek. I’d rub my face against it all day. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Shelley Noble

    It will be a sensationally gorgeous flat, Corey. It cannot but help result that way with your talents.
    The biggest key I have found so far in making projects is to let my hands work without my “head”. Your creative designer hands will know exactly what to include and what to leave out–without your mind having to really catch on at all.

    Reply
  15. Isabel

    My advice: To be happy long term with a place, use a restrained palette for all fabrics, nothing bold or heavy, and use accessories for drama, paintings, sculptures,pillows, found objects.

    Reply
  16. Jill Flory

    Cory, I know you will come up with something! It will be gorgeous and if a few things are not user friendly – who cares?! It’s PARIS after all I think everyone can put up with a bit of non-user-friendly!

    Reply

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