Our Conti condominium that includes a classic Hermès scarf that impressed the decor.
Adorning residences in Paris is one in every of our best passions, and is one which includes many particulars – and infrequently many fingers. Over 12 years in the past, we started an exquisite friendship with the gifted designer Ann Huff from Huff Harrington, who has collaborated with us on the design of a lot of our Paris Excellent trip leases and with Paris Excellent Shared, our fractional co-ownership program. Along with Madelyn, Paris Excellent founder, it’s the dream workforce that provides the right ending touches our friends and homeowners love.
Whereas each element is perfection, there’s one factor that has grow to be a much-loved characteristic in our Paris Excellent Shared properties. That is the signature Hermès scarves which have concurrently impressed and grow to be an integral a part of the decor for every condominium. When you would possibly simply consider scarves for carrying, they’ll additionally add an attractive contact to your private home. For the story behind how we began adorning with classic scarves, we sat down with Madelyn and Ann to talk extra about this distinctive design inspiration, suggestions for searching for scarves in Paris and extra!
Ann (left) and Madelyn (proper) – a friendship that began with a love for Paris and design.
The place did the thought for utilizing vintages scarves because the image for our Paris Excellent Shared fractional residences start?
Ann: It’s fascinating how it began. Maddy and I come at issues a bit in another way and he or she all the time approaches issues from the historical past and loves the historical past behind the scarves. I strategy issues extra visually, and so usually I shall be searching for antiques in markets and can come throughout scarves the place the colours actually converse to me. I’ll deliver these out and have a look at them after which Maddy, if she’s with me, will usually acknowledge them and dives proper into the historical past behind the designs. It’s nice!
Maddy: One of many first classic Hermès scarves was within the Cairanne fractional condominium the place it makes an attractive assertion above the mattress. It is the Bride de Cour sample designed by Françoise de la Perriere, which was first launched in 1969. I really like how the signature equestrian equipment have been stylized into an attractive ornamental sample. You paired the intricate designs from the headscarf superbly with gold sconces on both sides. That was after we noticed how a signature scarf influenced the weather and actually tied the room design collectively. And it was a hit instantly! The homeowners beloved it and it in a short time turned a signature for Paris Excellent Shared. Now we could not think about designing one in every of our fractional residences on the market with out this design factor – our homeowners are all the time anxious to see the Hermès scarf that impressed their condominium!
The elegant Hermès scarf within the Cairanne bed room.
Ann: Sure and after Cairanne there was Conti, the place the headscarf positively drove the design. The sample of that scarf actually caught my eye with its putting black, white and gold designs which can be simply so lovely. In fact, Maddy went nuts over it as a result of the historic sample and themes and I went nuts over the design and deliberate all the condominium round these colours. Trying nearer at Conti, in case you discover the tassels within the design on the headscarf, that drove the design of the sconces on both aspect of the fireside mantle in the lounge, which have tassels on them. And the identical with the black shades, they have been impressed by the distinctive black from the headscarf. Cairanne and Conti have been actually the start of the scarves.
LEFT: Element of the Hermès scarf at Conti. / RIGHT: The sconces additionally characteristic tassels.
Maddy: Sure, and people two scarves have a lot historical past for Hermès of their designs. The gorgeous scarf in Conti is the enduring Memoire d’Hermès with a design by Caty Latham that pays homage to Hermès founder Thierry Hermès. Within the middle you will spot a portrait of him surrounded by objet d’artwork which have come to signify Hermès. Latham created many iconic designs for Hermès together with a lot of the equestrian collection, the Egypt collection, and designs with keys and tassels.
Particulars on the wall sconces mimic the sample of the Hermès scarf.
What half does a signature piece likes a classic scarf play in making a theme or really feel for an condominium? And which comes first – the headscarf or the room design?
Ann: It’s humorous and I’m certain Maddy will agree with this. We in all probability have a look at tons of of scarves yearly at the least. As a result of we have a look at them in each market that we go to – and we go to a number of markets. Out of tons of we in all probability pick like three that we like. So it’s actually a really selective and intuitive feeling—if you see the fitting one you understand—and you understand okay that’s what the condominium goes to seem like.
After the expertise with Conti, among the scarves that we discovered drove the selections for the colours and the tone for the condominium. Very hardly ever do we have now the other occur the place we’re excited to discover a scarf that can match the décor that we’ve discovered. I might say that within the residences that we’ve completed—Conti and Armagnac and Syrah—all of the designs have been pushed by discovering a shawl and that “aha” second after we discovered the fitting one.
With Vivant, we had an “aha” second with the headscarf, which was so lovely with its gold and pale pink colours. However after we obtained it in there we determined that in all probability it will be higher to play off of it however to maintain it a bit extra refined, so we put it within the hallway. Curiously sufficient, our newest Paris Excellent Shared condominium venture is the primary and just one thus far the place we’re doing the other. With this one, the design obtained pushed first after which we needed to got down to discover the fitting scarf. And that’s been actually enjoyable!
Keys are the right image to welcome you to your very personal Paris condominium!
Thus far, you’ve featured solely Hermès scarves. What makes these scarves so particular?
Madelyn: Hermès is the gold customary of scarves. The are among the many most cherished scarves on this planet, probably the most fascinating from a design perspective and, after all, a historic perspective. For this reason the Hermès scarves are the right signature for our fractional residences in Paris. They’re the very best of the very best, they stand the check of time. The is the entire philosophy of how we function, how Ann decorates, how we transform – to create one thing that stands the check of time. That has all the time been our philosophy and one of many components we love is how completely this has grow to be the calling card for our fractional residences.
Ann: Hermès is iconically French – it simply oozes French type. The standard, the historical past, the patterns are every thing that embodies French artisan design. The patterns are additionally filled with symbols that resonate for the fractional residences in Paris. The headband for Vivant is the enduring Les Clefs design by Caty Latham that was first launched in 1965. With all of the keys, I assumed that was actually significant for Paris Excellent Shared. You’re going to get your keys to your personal condominium in Paris! And that sample can be a reasonably well-liked design. Some have been actually well-known and have been completed in a number of colours and a few have notable designers and are signed – these are actual collector gadgets.
The one which we’re placing within the fractional condominium we’re presently adorning is the oldest scarf, I imagine from the Sixties. It’s truly fairly fragile and the framer must be actually cautious framing it. It’s thrilling. Our framer all the time will get actually excited concerning the scarves that we herald and we all the time speak about them – they’re like our mates.
The Hermès Ludovicus Magnus scarf by Françoise de la Perriere within the Armagnac.
That brings up a great query: to border or to not body? Any options for framing a classic scarf?
Ann: To begin with, I believe it’s very fascinating that the scarves are by no means sq.. When you would possibly suppose they’re sq., they’re truly not fairly sq. – often they’re off by a few half an inch. Be certain your framer measures it actually fastidiously with the intention to get it proper. The framer must be tremendous cautious about how they do it. That is the place you’ll wish to do your analysis and discover an skilled framer. Our framer does batting beneath the headscarf, that’s, a layer of batting after which she places the headscarf over it.
On the Syrah the Hermès scarf has been framed with out glass.
Only recently we’re beginning to body them with out glass on high, since you don’t really want glass. They’re fairly colour secure and I choose them with out as a result of then you definitely don’t get the glare they usually’re additionally lighter. They do find yourself getting actually heavy with the glass, so I’m excited for this transition. The primary one we did with out glass was for the Syrah condominium and we’re doing one other one with out glass for the venture we’re engaged on proper now. All it’s important to do is gently mud it each on occasion with a feather duster.
The opposite tip is for cleansing and getting ready your scarf – to put on or cling. To begin with, if you take them to the dry cleaner, just remember to inform them to write down down on the receipt that it’s an Hermès scarf and what it’s of as a result of dry cleaners have been identified to swap them out with different scarves. The opposite factor is to make it possible for they know—particularly within the US—to not iron the perimeters, as a result of the perimeters are hand rolled and hand stitched. You need them to be rolled and ironing will flatten them down and destroy them ceaselessly.
Ann discovering the Vivant Hermès scarf on the puces – the Paris vintage market.
Are you able to share some suggestions for purchasing classic scarves? How have you learnt in case you’ve discovered an actual Hermès scarf at a market?
Ann: An important factor is that hand rolling we talked about. You’ll wish to look intently because it’s all the time rolled towards the entrance and is hand stitched. The telltale is the texture of the silk and the signature. There’s all the time a Hermès signature and it must be spelled appropriately. That sounds so apparent, however a number of them don’t have the grave accent over the second e and you understand routinely that it’s a faux in the event that they don’t.
However the really feel is distinctive and simply takes some expertise. As an example, I purchased a bunch of scarves one time at a market and I used to be in a rush. I purchased 5 on the identical time. I simply knew I favored all of them so I took them. After I obtained residence and was unpacking and folding them to place them away, I picked one up and instantly may inform that it was a faux. I may simply inform by the texture – it didn’t have the identical really feel as the opposite ones. After which I washed it simply to see what would occur and it utterly bled and I knew. You make errors, however that’s the way you study too.
Search for the right accent on Hermès and the rolled edge particulars.
Madelyn: After figuring out that you simply’re taking a look at an genuine Hermès scarf, you’ll need to search for the designs that talk to you – those that seize your consideration. And right here can be the place Hermès designs are so particular. They select designers for his or her seasonal scarves, and each is filled with symbols and has a narrative that provides to the richness of the design. That is what made it so cool when Ann thought, hey this may very well be an incredible base for designing a complete condominium round, as a result of they’re really artistic endeavors.
It’s very uncommon to have trend items that achieve in worth like that through the years. A few of them are so wanted by collectors that they’re inconceivable to seek out. As an example, I’ve been in search of a Pont Neuf scarf for years. I’ve obtained it on watch at completely different public sale homes, however none ever come up. Some scarves are so well-liked that they promote out and also you by no means see them once more. The restricted version side actually provides to the cherished side of them. As soon as they do a shawl they hardly ever repeat it and after they do it means it’s one in every of their iconic patterns.
Purchasing at Les Puces de Saint Ouen (credit score)
The place do you hunt on your classic scarves and décor in Paris?
Ann: The flea market Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen has three or 4 classic outlets and a few of them are type of hidden whereas others are well-known. There’s one or two in Paul Bert Serpette, however in case you stroll alongside Vernissage—that’s the a part of the flea market with all of the little alleys the place it’s straightforward to get misplaced—it’s possible you’ll come throughout some individuals who may have 5 or 6 of them. I believe these are simply as a lot enjoyable to look by means of because the piles and piles that you’ll find elsewhere. You simply by no means know if you’re going to come back throughout that little jewel that it’s important to have.
Within the 7th arrondissement there are just a few outlets, together with CORNER LUXE at 45 avenue Bosquet, the place I purchased one scarf just lately. That’s an incredible spot proper within the middle of Paris.
Madelyn: Sure, the flea market is a should in case you’re searching for classic Hermès scarves. You can even take a look at the favored consignment shops round Paris. There are additionally many glorious classic outlets in Paris.
Subsequent cease … Florence with Italy Excellent Shared!
Now that the Shared expertise is transferring to Italy, have you considered what the design image is likely to be for Italy?
Madelyn: We’re very enthusiastic about increasing our profitable fractional co-ownership program to Italy. Our first cease is Florence—the birthplace of the Renaissance and one in every of Italy’s most lovely cities—and the properties are going to be extraordinary. Keep tuned for extra information about Italy Excellent Shared in Florence coming very quickly!
Ann: We’re nonetheless growing concepts, however one factor we shall be doing in most, if not all, the Italy fractional residences is that we’re having some lovely chandeliers made which can be a mix of wooden, crystal and steel. They’re very Italian and actually fairly. They’re handmade and I’m actually enthusiastic about them.
Madelyn: Italy is a design dream, with unbelievable artisan corporations that produce probably the most lovely linens and decor in addition to unbelievable vintage purchasing as effectively. Keep tuned for extra information about Italy Excellent Shared in Florence coming very quickly!
