Current Inspiration #19
As we slowly shift into the fall season, we are spending some time reflecting on what has been inspiring us lately.
We are reminiscing about summer highlights, including exploring a new-to-us region that we are calling the “Tuscany of Serbia.” Our love of Serbia is equally matched by our love of France, where we recently had the rare opportunity to visit a very special, iconic and new-to-the-public home of a very legendary French (& international) artist. Speaking of places that inspire, a trip to London earlier this year was extra delightful after a visit to a favorite brand in a most exquisite location. Since then, we have been imagining which of their fabulously unique wallpapers we could use for the powder room of our own French renovation (#LoireDesignLab), and we realized that we have some strong opinions on toilets that we have yet to share.
So here it all is, perfectly packaged for our latest Current Inspiration! Enjoy!
ALL YOU NEED IS WALLPAPER
This is a brand that we are really excited to shout out, and not just because there's a husband-wife duo at the helm. As a British lifestyle brand, House of Hackney has built a very intentional focus on sustainability and specifically regenerative design, going as far as legally signing on both Mother Nature and Future Generations as board members. Along with their B-Corp certification, they are creators of beautifully unique designs. Their wallpaper and fabrics, for example, take inspiration from British heritage and the natural world while incorporating a modern feel with vibrant colors. Their experimentation with materials, including cork for a new wallpaper collection and mycelium for ceiling medallions, just to name a few, is exciting and inspirational. Their motifs are bold yet classic, allowing for the perfect amount of statement design detail while still ensuring heirloom quality.
REQUIEM FOR AN INTOXICATED MAN
A special treat for us this fall was scoring tickets to the much-anticipated, recent public opening of Maison Gainsbourg, the home of French legend Serge Gainsbourg, on the famous rue de Verneuil in Paris. The extremely intimate visit of the nearly untouched home takes you through the artistic life of the icon, told through memories and stories by his daughter, Charlotte Gainsbourg. Though often considered throughout his life and afterlife as a controversial figure, his artistry and creative genius is difficult to refute. The visit is moving and insightful, giving glimpses of the human nature of this larger-than-life figure who was not only a mostly-adored man of the public, but also a tormented artiste, a beloved father, and a passionate partner. A must-visit when in Paris, but requires reservations several months ahead, so plan wisely.
A WALL TO HANG YOUR THRONE ON
We never expected to encounter such a debate or develop such strong feelings around the subject of toilets, but here we are. So what's all the fuss about? We are firm believers in the fact that wall-hung toilets (aka suspended toilets) are always the best option. A long-standing, tried and true convenient bathroom solution throughout most of Europe, this space-saving and ultra-sleek necessity is rarely used across the pond. Stateside, we even encounter resistance from plumbers who have preconceived notions of complex installation and difficult maintenance. Nothing could be further from the truth — these bad boys offer excellent space optimization solutions with a hidden-in-the-wall toilet tank, as well as easy cleaning and maintenance (say goodbye to those ugly, bulky toilet bases). There's really so much to love, and you can even decide to upgrade to something more classy, like one of the many beautiful options from French-brand Trone (play on the word ‘throne’), as seen above.
We have a couple of exciting projects in the works where we'll be showcasing the results of these exquisite beauties…on both sides of the ocean!
SERBIAN TUSCANY
Let's face it: Tuscany has breathtaking scenery, incredible food and stellar wine. But Tuscany is also overrun with tourists, causing issues and concerns in the region around endangering historical preservation and driving up prices for locals, just to name a few. As we always do, we enjoy venturing off the beaten path while traveling. And this past summer was no exception, where we spent time exploring during our annual stay in our beloved Serbia. With the natural wine scene on the rise in the region, every serious wine-grower and aficionado recommends a visit to Fruška Gora, the country's oldest national park. The land here is known to be extremely fertile, and in particular, wine has been growing in this area for nearly two millennia, thanks to the Danube passing through the hilly terrain. And while there is an endless amount of wineries to visit and enjoy, one stood out to us: Verkat, a relatively new-to-the-public winery run by two sisters. Not only did we have an exceptional experience there, but it reconfirmed just how much we love what they are producing.
A highly-recommended future trip is indeed necessary if you want to experience the wonders of this wine region, along with the beautiful scenic routes that will leave you dazzled.
They talk about us
Here's where we’ve been featured since our last edition:
How to choose a sustainable rug (Business of Home)
Some more publications coming soon, so stay tuned!
Podcast Reminder
As we are getting deeper into Season 2 of the Green Route with MAREDI Design, here are the latest episodes we’ve published since our last newsletter edition:
Episode 10 - The Gratification of Conscious Consumption with Caroline Morrison of Landline Paris (on Spotify and Apple Podcasts)
Episode 11 - The Latest in Sustainable Home Trends with Haley Chouinard & Caroline Biggs of Business of Home (on Spotify and Apple Podcasts)
Episode 12 - Coming October 28th
You can listen to all of the episodes wherever you stream your podcasts, and don't forget to sign up so you never miss a future episode!