The Chic Catroux

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It's interesting how you see some designers all over the place and some nowhere at all.  I wish we could see more work of the interior designer François Catroux.  Maybe staying under the radar and a lack of self promotion is a French thing or a European thing.  It's certainly, as we all know, not an American thing.  I think it's even more interesting since François Catroux's wife Betty was a model and muse of Yves Saint Laurent who was has more than her fair share of publicity.  The scarcity of published projects makes it that much more exciting when you do come across one and especially when it's their own home.  Enjoy!

Betty and Francois Catroux, 1970

July in Provence

> I am swooning over the photos of Marion Cotillard in the July 2010 issue of Vogue! Mario Testino shot the stunning French star and Oscar winner in La Bastide de Marie in the South of France and both Marion and Provence look stunning! Makes me want to book a trip immediately. To see more, check out the behind the scenes video online or pick up the new issue of Vogue! C'est magnifique!

Photos by Mario Testino

Vacancy at Versailles

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Visiting Château de Versailles is a magical yet exhausting experience.  You can't possibly see it all in one day, as much as you may try.  While there are lovely hotels in the town to extend your visit, there is none that will be as conveniently located as the proposed Hôtel du Grand Contrôle which is actually part of the Versailles complex.  The mansion was built in 1684 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart and traditionally housed the treasury.  It will be renovated by the Belgian company Ivy International SA who has a lot of work to do on the deteriorated building.  Once open in 2011, the 23 room hotel will overlook the Orangerie and ornamental lake and might just make you feel like Marie Antoinette.  Just don't tell the staff to eat cake!

Les Toiles du Soleil

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It's been hotter than Hades in New York lately which makes me want to go to Les Toiles du Soleil and buy everything in their cool summer colored French fabrics. The company has been in business in France for over 150 years but only available here for two. Their shop in Chelsea is almost as good as a trip to France too! I especially love the espadrilles and deck chairs. Definitely check them out!

Les Toiles du Soleil
261 West 19th Street
New York, NY 10011
212-229-4730
www.lestoilesdusoleilnyc.com

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Chateau de Groussay: Part Deux

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The gardens at Chateau de Groussay are just as amazing as the main house.  Charles de Beistegui was inspired by 18th-century Anglo-Chinese parks and gardens and created many "follies" to surprise and delight his guests. 

The most famous is the Tente Tartare that was built in 1960.  It was inspired by the tent that King Gustav III of Sweden raised in Drottningholm. 

The exterior is painted wood and not really a tent.

 

The interior is completely clad in Delft tiles that must be amazing to behold in person.

The Chinese Pagoda was found in Rome by Emilio Terry in  1968.  The pond and island were created specially for the Pagoda.

Pagoda interior.

All of the follies are just as beautiful inside as out.

The Palladian Bridge was designed by Emilio Terry in 1960.  It recalls the bridge at Wilton Park in England and the Guglie Bridge in Venice where Charles de Beistegui owned his famous Palazzo Labia. 

The Column Observatory was inspired by the Vendome column in Paris and was built in 1962.  You can view the entire countryside from the top.

The Temple of the Labyrinth sits at the center of a small maze and was built in 1967.

Garden photos from Alan Rosenberg

La Bastide de Marie

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Remember that fabulous Provence farmhouse where Marion Cotillard was languishing in the July 2010 issue of Vogue magazine?  Well, turns out that it's really a hotel called La Bastide de Marie.  Not only can you languish there but you can also relax at the spa, walk the gardens and enjoy the haute cuisine.  We not be able to look like a French movie star but it's nice to know we can at least feel like one!