Antiquing and learning

My new mommy friend Myla finally came to our house a week ago and no she didn't cringe or comment, just took it all in and asked what our plans were. She agreed with me on several things like keeping the hallway tiles and the kitchen tomettes and on the layout of the upstairs. She tried several sketches but eventually said that yes maybe ours was the best plan. I was pretty sure of it because we've already sketched all the possibilities and this is the only one that gives us light in the stairwell--imperative if you've seen my ugly wallpaper photos and the flourescent light photos of the stairwell that I posted earlier.

Myla has impeccable taste there's no doubt but her taste runs more along modern lines than mine does. I think she might even consider mine a little old fashioned because she is French and well, I like French antiques!! but to her I think they must seem a little *yawn* boring, just as someone in America who liked Ethan Allen furniture might seem to me. But I do have a modern streak thanks to Seb and I do admire it. The problem in our house is blending the two because Seb only likes modern era furniture. This is where having the ear of an interior decorator friend helps (and getting the free advice too)!

Since Myla has been laid off from her Paris job she has loads of time on her hands lately while she waits for a call back after the crise, and I nabbed her on Tuesday to go out to Emmaus with me. I love browsing brocantes in France and the shabbier the better in my opinion, so the Catholic Charity Stores are usually a good bet and there's one close to our house. It was closed so she suggested a store about twenty minutes away, a great store that had lots of good junk to dig through at really reasonable prices. Myla was looking for her Danish modern pieces and I had fun following her around listening to her say, "that piece there would be great in a living room next to a fireplace" or "cut the legs off that one and voila..." and suddenly she had me opening my eyes to all kinds of furniture possibilities.

I can't help but hope she stays unemployed for a little while longer while I have fun going around antiquing with her and learning. We've even talked about going to The Saint-Ouen flea market together in Paris on a Monday morning! I would love that! If you haven't heard about it well, just know that it's the largest antique market in the world and it dates back to the 17th century. I've been a few times as a tourist but it would be really fun to go with someone who knows what they're looking at.

(Here's a little history about the St. Ouen flea market. It's open on weekends and Monday mornings).