Pied-à-terre ...

From Wikipedia - A pied-à-terre literally translates from the French as "foot on the ground". This is said to be because pieds-à-terre were traditionally ground floor apartments, however, more likely, is to have a foothold, refering to territory rather than elevation. A pied-à-terre is a residence that will be used temporarily, mostly as a second home.

On days when my husband and children drive me nuts I often have dreams of escaping to my own pied-à-terre in Paris lol.

While researching accommodation in Paris for our trip last year I discovered this amazing website I'd forgotten I'd saved filled with the most beautiful vacation apartments or pieds-à-terre with view's that'll take your breath away.

I HAD to post some pics from these heavenly spaces.

I have to say, while in Paris myself, I nearly got hit by passing buses and cars many times as I couldn't keep my eyes off the magnificent bewitching architecture. I was trying to offer commentary to my accompanied video camera but I was often rendered speechless.

I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to wake up to a view like this every morning :)

Côte de Nuits

This 2 bedroom luxury apartment boasts 4 french doors opening onto your private balcony. Stunning herringbone parquet floors and all the creature comforts you can imagine.

I am completely smitten with those silk curtains in my favourite duck egg colour.


Gorgeous gorgeous blue and white toile and stripes in bedroom 2.




Sauternes

The divine master bedroom

Stunning bedroom 2

Volnay

Champagne

Côte de Beaune

This looks very similar to the Swedish stoves Joni from Cote de Texas has beautifully illustrated in her latest post.

Merlot


All of the apartments have a beautiful display of authentic French antiques.


Two stunning antique stone bowls made into sinks sit atop a limestone bench.

Sancerre

Probably my favourite of them all, this is such a bright airy space. I love that it's on a corner with French doors all around.

I think a zebra rug would have looked better ;)

Romanée

Pinot

I hope I haven't tortured you with these enticing images. Perhaps it may put your Parisian holiday plans a little more forward, however you'll need to save your pennies cause as you can imagine, with these beauties, what you pay for is what you get ;)

Happy Weekend!

My perfect house...

(above image via style court)

As most of you know by now I have a facination and love affair with European architecture and interior design and I have discovered a new place of interest that is definately going on my "bucket list" lol. If I had an endless amount of money this is what my house would look like ;)

The Swan House, built in 1928, is a grand Italianate mansion that is an Atlanta landmark, once the home of Edward and Emily Inman, heirs to a cotton brokerage fortune. The Swan House is an excellent example of the Second Renaissance Revival style and represents the architectural and decorative tastes of affluent citizens in the late 1920s. The house was designed by a well-known Atlanta architect by the name of Philip Trammell Schutze in 1928 and decorated by Ruby Ross Woods of New York.

(the above 3 images are via xinmincat @ flickr)

I don't know alot about architecture but I know what I like. Symmetry was Schutze's no 1 priority when building this magnificant home and that is the extact no 1 reason why I adore it so.



The name of the house is drawn from the swan or bird motifs that grace many of the interior rooms.



This is a close up of the front of the Swan House. It has two staircases like this one because architect Phillip Shutze had a need for proportion; this one is the miniature version of the larger stone staircase on the bottom. That intricate ironwork is incredibly beautiful.


(the above 3 images are via Hueyatl @ flickr)

The house is filled with english and Italian style elements including this stunning iron lantern.

This is the back of the Swan House. This is where the chauffeurs would drop off the guests when special social events took place at the Inman's residence so even though it is the back it really looks like the front of the house.

The interior of the house is as elaborate as the exterior and features five rooms of distinction: the entrance vestibule, the entrance hall, the library, the breakfast room and the dining room. Other rooms include four bedroom areas, a sitting room, a full basement and an apartment in the attic. I'm completely in love with the chinoiserie wallpaper and lets not forget that chandelier!

(above 3 images are via lalejos1 @ flickr)

This is a picture of the guest room at the swan house. It is simple yet comfortable. The wood floors on this level of the house are oak wood. This room is different from the rest of the house because it is plainer with simple furniture and no fancy portraits hanging on the walls. I actually don't mind the colour scheme and the sweet floral accents.

Stunning architecture like this rarely exsists in Australia. If anyone has visited Swan house, knows anymore about it or has other photo's of the interior I'd LOVE to see and read about it :)

Information and images from:

http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/atlanta/swa.htm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8305995@N07/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xinmincat/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hueyatl/

http://stylecourt.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html