Home Visit in Paris Bonjour, My husband and I just returned from my buying trip in Europe and I now need a vacation!  I hunted from dawn to dinner and will keep you posted when the items arrive in port.  These latest treasures are now being collected  from the Belgian and French countryside and will ship out of Paris.  Wait until you see all I found.....it was my best trip yet.  Everytime I plan on staying in Paris there are hotel room shortages for one reason or another.  This time I picked FASHION WEEK.....the biggest Paris event of the entire calendar!!!   (5 feet tall and in Paris at fashion week is a humbling experience)  Of course, I  found this out AFTER I had secured my plane tickets.  I have stayed at many different hotels in Paris and never found a place I wanted to return everytime.  I like a Parisian experience in a small hotel.   Beautiful furnishings for me are a must but I do not like a pretentious  attitude which many of the larger hotels feel necessary to turn on to make their guests feel like royalty, I guess. I found this small place in the Marais section of Paris while frantically searching for accommodations that didn't cost $900.00 a night. (which was all that was left) It's called Marais House and it was very different.....I was transported back a few centuries as soon as we arrived.    Yann Hentschke, the owner,  has meticulously re-created the splendor of the 16th century with a lavishly restored interior which includes these pair of 16th century Venetian doors. Can you believe this scene?? The house has been the setting for many a fashion photo shoot and has been featured in many publications including Architectural Digest.  (It's so Architectural Digest, isn't it?) One of the several sets of 16th-19th Century Carved doors found and built into this historic home/hotel. Definitely over the top but what fun returning here after a long day.  The lamps were of impressive size and on either side of our bed. The walls were covered with luxurious fabrics.....a little splash of gold in the cartel clock completes this corner. Yann balanced the opulence with several whimsical additions as in this carved angel hanging in the leather covered hallway. The bathrooms are always small in Paris....walls were richly covered in mahogany and full mirrors (classic crystal bird sconces). An 18th Century armoire stands guard. (One of many in the hotel) The stone staircase we climbed to our first room (we had 2 because I wasn't in Paris the whole time) is XV Century....that's from the 1400s!!! We know you wouldn't live like this but it was such a fantasy for a couple of days, don't you think?? I felt as though I was staying in a chateau in the countryside. There are elevators opening to each room,  discreetly covered with 18th century doors. LOVE LOVE the cobbled wall leading to the vaulted cellar where we had continental breakfast (dessert in disguise). XVI Century Tiles throughout. Antique tin toy set in the hallway outside the dining room... so cute! These striped Paris porcelain covered jars were about 22 inches tall, spectacular!!!!! Yann's 2 chocolate labs, Bonheur and Vendome, have free run of the house but I guess have been trained to walk and not wag in fragile areas??? Dessert breakfast offered in the vaulted cellar on mirrored chinoisserie placemats and silver coffee service....check out the iron centerpiece candelabra...(my saint of a husband, Roger, too). Great gold leaf sconce in the upostairs hall and these 18th-19th century carved black frames are really hot right now in current interiors.  I have a very large one with the original mirror coming in the shipment. Silver metal chandelier in our room's hall. The first bedroom had these ornate bedside chests with these specatacular cherub lamps and I noticed Yann had John Derrian plates bedside for glasses, etc.  You know I love that!  Linens were all French with cozy French throws. Limestone fireplace in our room and gorgeous tile floors both XVI century (are you tired of all the century references.....just note they are REALLY old.) Close-up of the carved bedrail and antique carpet. French armoire for our clothes...I just LOVED opening this each day ....I am such a sucker for the old hardware! I drooled over the stone floors in the entry hall and hand hewn beams. This was our second room where we slept in a 16th century bed.....thankfully the mattress was from the 21st century! Close-up of the carving and fringe made with metals and gold thread....I wondered who else slept here??? I'm sure they were a lot older than George Washington!! This room was small, as you can tell, but Yann still fit in a limestone fireplace, a massive armoire and plenty of furniture. The second floor had a glass floor atrium with this wonderful English breakfront. Here is a picture of Yann, our host, who discreetly went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable. He suggested the best local restaurants, had champagne waiting for us and truly recreated history and an experience we will never forget. If you are thinking of making a reservation send me an e-mail and I'll give you a few more details. Best regards, Bonny Bonny Neiman Stylish Antiques   p.973-714-4541 www.bonnyneiman.com Trouvaille 12 Beechwood Road  Summit, NJ Monday-Saturday 10-5:30

We all love Phyllis!!! (Manhattan home visit) Sept. 2010 One of our favorite designers who frequents Trouvaille is Phyllis Mechanic.   Phyllis is one of those creative people who generates warmth and positivity.  She loves interiors and is a natural at interpreting the desires of her clients into beautiful and comfortable design for their homes.  She is fun to be with and always arrives with a smile and a jingle jangle. (her bracelets)   Phyllis attended Parsons School of Design/NYC and Corcoran School of Art in Washington DC.  It's hard to believe she has been doing design for 41 years!! (is that a typo??)  Phyllis always stresses  "my work should be a representation of the client and not my own personal opinion.  I guide and make suggestions.  When I leave a home, the home should be YOU and not me" Most recently she called ahead with an exciting project.  A charming gentleman had recently rented a pied-a-terre in Tribeca and wanted to have it furnished as a surprise for his lucky fiance'.  The client wanted country chic in the city and needed everything in less than a month AND while most designers would retreat from the task,  Phyllis met the challenge and so did we.  I am happy to say almost everything in the sunny apartment was purchased right off the floor at Trouvaille.  Two truckloads were coordinated from our store. In the entry is my favorite demilune table I found in France, wonderfully distressed with elements of original paint.   The moss balls in the wire locker basket with the antique marble bookends and leather books add texture underneath the VERY textured driftwood mirror you all admired when it was hanging in the store (locker baskets, leather books and another driftwood mirror available). Phyllis suggested this 18th century French server to anchor the TV (soon to be mounted) We have solved many "the TV floats" problems with wonderful antique commodes and servers (more available).  The 2 armchairs from the dining set flank the server, French crystal sconces hang above with a great view of the entryway beyond.  They decided on this 19th century wine tasting table (another available) with the attractive brace underneath.  The Swedish chairs I found in Europe, crusty painted with rush seats, add a nice contrast to the urban view. The hand blown glass fish net floats reflect light in the large antique wood bowl.  Nice spot for morning coffee,  don't you think (more floats and antique wood bowls available)? The paint distressed mirror over the sofa I found in Belgium The living room choices include this vintage steel cocktail table (more available) contrasted with the bleached antler and antique oak box with the couple's monogram.  (serendipitious find!). Sofa by Donna Donaldson.  Don't the 3 pillows add so much to the room?  Donna brings in more pillows each week (big sellers) and the patterns and fabrics always impress me.   The side table is accented with a vintage lucite spiral lamp and hotel silver (more available).....sisal carpet, of course. Modern bench by Donna Donaldson in ultra suede.  This was smart of Phyllis to add a beautiful bench for more seating which doesn't obstruct the open feel of the area like  the backs of chairs would.  Notice the antique clock faces from the south of France on the far wall and the finials mounted on the steel stands add a sculptural touch. Closer look at the antique finials (more available).   Korbel from France....accenting with architectural pieces adds dimension and interest.  Even the bedding was coordinated pronto as Pine Cone Hill linens most often arrive within the week.  Ashley has a wonderful workroom for upholstered headboards in dozens of fabrics and shapes.  The bedroom looks beautiful with the mirrored chests I found for them that same week. The apartment is not fully complete, but certainly on its way and with Phyllis at the helm I'm sure it will be just as they dreamed.  The fiance' was thrilled and who wouldn't be charmed with a man willing to make all those tough decisions.  (My husband would buy a country before he would buy me furniture or apparel......he says I'm difficult, imagine that!)  He needs to meet Phyllis............ Phyllis Mechanic is a pleasure to work with and loves the creative opportunities her business affords. She is seeing " a resurgence of textured, primitive looks combined with new treatments .....for example, distressed and cerused .  (definition below) The textures mix well with the cleaner contemporary woods of the last few years. Just as fashion re-invents itself, so does design!  Eclectic is still my favorite ."  It takes Phyllis' discerning eye to mix the periods  successfully.  Thank you Phyllis for allowing us a peak into this Tribeca beauty.  Phyllis phone number is 973-809-7685 or e-mail her at drossell7@comcast.net. Cerused-  The "ceruse" finish is achieved by applying some kind of white material (eg paint or filler) to the pores of the grain where it is absorbed, leaving the non-porous areas untouched. Click here to go to the website and stop by to see many new pieces at Trouvaille.  We're once again open on Mondays.  Hope to see you! Best regards, Bonny Bonny Neiman Stylish Antiques   p.973-714-4541 www.bonnyneiman.com Trouvaille 12 Beechwood Road  Summit, NJ Monday-Saturday 10-5:30 (closed Mondays in July and August) Thursdays until 8 PM

"At Home" in East Hampton - August 6, 2010 This latest letter has been so difficult to write.  I had just returned from one of our frequent trips out to the East End of Long Island and a funny thing happened.......my husband and I were ALONE OUT THERE!!!  It is a rare occurrence in the summer and I started thinking I would write a "home visit" story of my sister's East Hampton home.  This decision was made without consulting her or her husband, of course.  I made the mistake of mentioning it to her after I took the pictures.    On one hand I want to share how wonderful my sister is and how beautiful her home is but, in my ear VERY emphatically, I have her telling me, "okay, you can do it but don't mention my name".  Then when I responded "who you are is the major part of the story"  I hear "Ok, but don't talk about me".  (she does NOT like center stage at all...). My sister Denise with her favorite chair on the beach in East Hampton I ignore her comments because this is the same sister (I have 3) who took people on house tours of my home without bothering to mention it to me. The very same sister who tortured me (I'm exaggerating a little) as a child "You were such a cry baby" is always her defense. So what the heck, paybacks are tough, right???? here goes....... My sister, Denise and my brother-in-law Ricky have been spending their summer vacations in the Hamptons for 28 years.  First visits included stays at various local inns and motels and then rentals in different towns. It quickly became their dream to one day own a vacation home in this special spot. I don't know if it was my brother-in-law's dream to not ever have the place to themselves!!! On any given day,  and especially the weekends, the family starts arriving and we're always greeted with a warm hug and a smile. Sometimes we arrive before they do! At times the count swells to 24 people AND 3 DOGS for goodness sake!!  Pillars of patience, don't you think??  I also love when her nieces and nephews want to bring friends, and even work out there for the summer, Denise always says,"Sure!"    La Bella Vita  (The beautiful Life) This sign is posted at the foot of their very long driveway. My mother had it made for them and it really tells the story.  The front door....I didn't get it in the picture but when my mother sold our childhood home she removed the door knocker and it is now mounted on the door at the beachhouse. When most people think of having a house in the Hamptons they picture a life of leisure, hobnobbing with celebrities perhaps and even a staff.  Most residents just ring up a handyman or contractor whenever something needs to be done. Not in this family......my husband, Roger, is the consiegliere (counsel) and he and my brother-in-law have done everything. They restoned the ½ mile long driveway shoveling rocks out of the back of his pick-up truck and built an outdoor shower, to name a few. The latest project is adding a bunk room and downstairs family room. Each Saturday they have a self-motivated project as we continually tell them "stop working, it's supposed to be a VACATION HOME!!!"  They are served gourmet lunches made by us and even their nieces know how to grill a mean panini.  They listen to the Yankees game and throw jibes at each other all day like an old married couple while everyone else is having R & R.  The living room from a few years ago and the reason for "the bunk room project" The boys are around and they help move a stone capital we found to use as a table between the lounge chairs near the pool Roger and brother-in-law Jim putting up the whale weathervane at the back of the house.   I got all the men these ridiculous shirts and they wore them while they worked framing the downstairs family room , or should I say "studding" the room. (very bad pun) I told my sister she HAD to have this armoire for her master bedroom. Trouble was we didn't bother to make sure we could get it up the stairs. While the entire Hamptons community was enjoying a Saturday at the beach, we were trying every way possible to make it work for hours.  It finally worked removing the doors and putting it on top of my truck and cantilevering it over the bedroom deck's railing. The men jumped off the truck and ran up the stairs to carry it into the bedroom, while Denise and I held it hanging over the deck. Our husbands are truly saints because they would honestly be happy with IKEA in a box with "some assembly required."  If I had a production manager she would have made sure I show you a picture of it in place) sorry for that but it looks great!   A vintage chaise lounge in the master bedroom, If you look closely you'll see the subtle damask pattern in the original worn pink velvet.The antique throw is chenille on satin.  The vintage marble lamp looks great against the woven shade . Master bathroom showing one of 2 columns we found ...marble bird baths on the tub deck underneath a framed torn edged nude AND her new capiz shell chandelier. New with old looking great! Vintage swimsuits in the entry hall with drop dead gold, (yes it works) gold lamps at the relaxed beachhouse.Denise has a love for mermaids and the iron one on the table is a cutie.  A basket of sunscreens has a place under the table next to a taxidermy turtle . The den is a great example of old and new coming together in the best way..... the vintage sailfish, a vintage painted French desk with a bamboo chair adding texture (we have to do something about those wires underneath), a new shell lamp, primitive antique rustic cocktail table with a new sectional sofa, original grain sack pillows with new pillows. You can see a part of the modern painting over the desk. Nothing was searched for in here, but rather found and placed together to create this wonderful warm and functional room.  (The sofa fabric was chosen from the furniture lines available prints) Another den picture.  The flat screen looks wonderful above the antique French server which stores clothes for those guests staying on the pullout.I love the growing shell jar and the modern sculpture on the pole (a gift from me!).I feel it necessary to state there was no big decorating plans for any of the rooms, it's imperfectly perfect and communicates who they are.  My sister is great with finding an affordable piece and saying "I'm getting this for the den",  and it's done and it all works, no sweat!  She has the guts to not care about the planned perfection of it.When I say "how about this?" she says " "okay, let's get it and now let's get to the beach" Outsider artist Josephine's huge "Pookie dog" sits guard on the stairway which leads to the soon to be  photo memory wall going up the stairs to the bedrooms. One of the comfortable guest rooms.  An antique Jenny Lind bed, toleware lamp with a shell box next to one of my "must have" items..... a tray for glasses or coffee cups. This one is holding a bedside carafe and glass. The wicker chair adds to the simple cozy feel of this welcoming room. The great room has her old sofas from Domain they had first purchased for their primary home. With their creamy cotton slipcovers they were the perfect solution once they had to be replaced from home. There is a funky painted antique barber pole in the corner and the antique English pine armoire holds all the bedding for the pull-out sofa in the den. On top of the armoire is my Grandfather's building company sign which is almost as if this wonderful man is part of all the family fun still taking place since he's gone. On her cocktail table with eglomisé (reverse glass painting) she's added succulents in a planter.  When we found the table I was concerned about the durability of the wood frame but she doesn't care that it gets more distressed each year. Behind the chair is a great antique wicker steamer trunk holding all the beach towels.  On the way out to the pool or beach it slams as each person grabs a towel.  The ceramic elephant is a fun side table with no worries of coffee or water rings. The dining area has a relaxed English pine table with a wonderful English antique lazy susan I found this year. The painted corner cabinet holds platters and on top tole tea caddys.  Her antique English ironstone transferware makes the cabinet pop. I don't want you to think she's a serious collector because she's not like that.  We were at a garage sale and I said "buy this, they'll look good on the cabinet", and she did!  The truth is she's not serious at all EXCEPT about good food and the seriousness is about her relaxed way of preparing it which we all benefit from and which brings me to ..... THE ARSENAL!!  I SWEAR TO YOU, I DID NOT STAGE OR MOVE ANYTHING IN THIS PICTURE AT ALL!! We all love to cook in my family but Denise's expertise rivals Ina Garten. I have encouraged her to do a blog but she refuses. (A side note--  you should see her command, with a smile, the soup kitchen in Morristown feeding more than 200.) On Friday nights, as arrivals show up, she serves her homemade pizzas she's prepared after visiting the local farmer's market that day.  Eggplant, fresh mozzarella or goat cheese, mushroom, sautéed broccoli, basil and fresh tomato and sausage...you name it!  Look at all the olive oils, vinegars, and the pots of garlic, and shallots. The baskets hold 3 kinds of onions, and you can see her precious fingerling potatoes hanging out. I remember one year, she had EVERYONE stopping at various vegetable stands and markets in search of the "fingerlings".  Each person would come through the door with their grocery bags only to announce "and, they didn't have fingerlings"....I thought she would cry. This year is a good year - fingerlings are in great supply ..... Denise is very happy. Notice her yelloware antique bowls sturdy enough for all the use they get. Another view of the larder with jars holding her homemade granola and oatmeal.  An antique store cakebox houses the breads next to some of her many cookbooks.  Don't you loved the honed countertops??....it looks like marble but has all the benefits of true granite.  Just out of the picture are 2 covered jars...one for pretzels, one for peanut m&m's.  I wish I had a picture of the banquet meals that are served on the deck, favorites are capellini with arugula and shrimp, grilled lobsters and clams on the halfshell, roasted vegetable orzo salad with goat cheese and pine nuts, the crabs we catch with garlic sauce, roasted beets with goat cheese and we all make a relish with roasted fresh corn, red onion and black beans.  It adds delicious crunch and color on any grilled fish.  If any of you are still reading this I need to note as we all head out to the beach Denise takes lunch orders, because, God forbid, we buy the overpriced food available at the snack shack. She stands at the counter and wraps and I'm not talking sliced bread and cold cuts.Breaded chicken cutlets, roasted peppers, mozzarella, goat cheese, grilled vegetables, carmelized onions, fresh turkey......just shout out your order because she makes it on your choice of crusty breads and even writes your name on the wrap.It's like orchestrating the mass exodus from Egypt. It's a good thing our weekends always include time made for running, biking and yoga. A close shot of the pool, Denise's style...with a large vegetable garden as landscaping,  dear God!!  She has acres of landscape she could have chosen but she put it right next to the pool. My son and his friend mixed in the "natural animal fertilizer" lets call it.  "Why the heck did you put it there?" I said "because it was the sunniest spot" she answered. No rules! Is there such a thing as outdoor feng shui...that just can't be right! The back porch where we all gather for quiet morning coffee and Denise's scones as each family member wakes up.....I can't wait to see the new seating area that arrived this week for the area to the left of the picture on the wrap around deck. I hope you enjoyed the visit of this not so typical special Hamptons home. It is truly a haven for fun and our kind of relaxation. Thank you to our hosts, my sister Denise and my wonderful brother-in-law, Ricky, and my adorable niece Bergen. Together they are the warm heart of the home. What I wanted to emphasize to you is this home looks wonderful without getting hung up on every color matching and adhering to decorating rules (sorry to all my designer friends, but you're probably not reading this anyway). They acquired pieces they loved, or sometimes just liked, and it all came together, both antique and new in a perfectly imperfect way.  Best regards, Love you NEE, Bonny Up next week, New Merchandise! Bonny Neiman Stylish Antiques   p.973-714-4541 www.bonnyneiman.com Trouvaille 12 Beechwood Road  Summit, NJ Monday-Saturday 10-5:30 (closed Mondays in July and August) Thursdays until 8 PM