Ready For Our Closeup!

Yes, it's been a longer-than-anticipated break!  But in past months we have been hard at work designing and building new lighting and creating some amazing new spaces in which to showcase those incredible pieces. 

steampunk pine stump lamp in our mid-century living room

close up of this striking piece!

ready to entertain in this spare and elegant space featuring our multi-tiered steel fixture

 stunning one of a kind piece finished in a black steel patina

Just a peek at what we've been up to, and lots more to come!  Visit our Etsy.com shop and search parisenvy to view all lighting and order your own custom creation.

Creative Lighting

 

 Shown above; mercury glass vases converted into pendants in a guest bathroom.  Pretty on or off!   

To change up the traditional bedside lighting, my mom used a vintage chandelier and crystal pendants over the nightstands.  A switch on the cord makes them every bit as convenient as a lamp.

View our handcrafted and custom lighting

at Etsy.com

(search parisenvy)

Design File: Black and Grey Beauty

My parents recently moved into their new home in Colorado, and I was thrilled to spend a week with them.  They have created a beautiful and amazing space with such attention to detail! Here's a peek:
(Above;  A "hall of  mirrors" against a backdrop of deep charcoal in the entryway.)

An antique dresser provides the perfect display space for a few favorite pieces. 
Drawers hold gloves and other cold weather necessities.

The taupe/grey tufted bench and clever collection of art and mirrors on the wall make for an inviting entryway.

I love the bold choices my mom made in mixing patterns and textures.  She has passed on a good bit of courage to me in my decorating projects.

Another bold and unexpected design decision:  Finding a place of honor for this beloved old stone lion who was once relegated to the front stoop of an apartment building.  (Getting him atop the buffet was no small feat!)

I hope the photos spark inspiration in even a small way!  Next time I'd love to share a few more design details that can totally transform a space.

Just a note...

Dear friends,

I wanted to send out a few thoughts as we close our storefront and transition to an online presence.
As many of our longtime shoppers know, we started out in an old building on 7th Avenue in February of 2007 (yes, right before the big economical crash!)

My vision was to create a place that embodied the things I loved about visiting Paris:  the quaint and quirky shops in the Marais, the mingling of different styles -- vintage and new, and just the magical FEEL of the whole city.  Some of the best compliments I ever received were from people who said, "I feel like I just stepped into a shop on the Left Bank!"

We were in our 7th Avenue home for six years, and in that time we tried different things -- offering clothing, adding handcrafted lighting and furnishings alongside our vintage finds -- and truly it was all fun, and all successful in the ways that mattered most to me; namely that our customers enjoyed spending time with us, were excited to see what we would do next, and kept coming back!

Retail, as many of you know, is a tricky thing.  Often you find that you do well enough to keep the lights on and the shelves full but maybe not much else. As time passed we realized we needed to re-evaluate our focus.  Filling 2000 square feet was a tall order, and my co-owner Jason had his hands pretty full working his "day job" as an engineer.  We decided to make the move to Union at Biltmore Fashion Park -- a new concept with a group of small local businesses under one roof -- last November.

As our one year lease comes to an end, we are again making a change.  I will miss having a "brick and mortar" shop.  And I may miss it so much that we resurrect it at some point!  But for now our lighting is our main attraction, and as such it deserves our full attention.  I hope you all will continue to follow us on our Etsy.com store (search parisenvy)  as well as here on our blog, which I promise to update on a much more regular basis!  I will be styling rooms featuring our lighting as well as new design ideas for the home.  I may even do occasional travel-related posts.

Thank you all so very much for your support and patronage over these past seven years.  Happy New Year and here's to creating our dreams, whatever shape they may take!

Laurie

Paris Envy hand crafted and custom lighting now on ETSY!

Come see all our latest lighting on ETSY here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ParisEnvy?ref=search_shop_redirect

Don't You Want To

Bake up a storm with these great pieces?  Crafted from cream porcelain with just enough whimsy to add to the fun;  pear shaped measuring cups, patterned measuring spoons, mini colanders perfect for holding freshly washed summer cherries, and more!
 

Ladies Night At Union!

Join us for our ever-popular Ladies Night event at Union this Thursday, August 8th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and enjoy specials, giveaways and prizes with all our Union neighbors!
Paris Envy will be offering 15% off any non-sale item, as well as giving away a fab prize...

We also have lots of great new merchandise to tempt you!  See you soon!!

Annual Summer Sale!!

Join us FRIDAY, JUNE 14 for our big summer sale!

Enjoy 15% to 75% off store wide!!  Everything from our handcrafted lighting to home decor, fragrance and jewelry is included.  We have to clear out the current stock to make room for the new!

HOPE TO SEE YOU HERE AT UNION!!!

Paris Envy on Etsy!

Love us in San Francisco?  Covet us in NYC?  Now you can order from our steadily growing collection of handcrafted lighting (and other items as we get going) and have your piece shipped directly to you!
Industrial, zinc and dark steel finishes, stained woods, Edison bulbs -- styles created to fit into most any existing decor and add that finishing touch.
Stop by for a visit!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ParisEnvy?ref=search_shop_redirect

Happy Spring!

Spring is always such a great time to liven up our homes.  We currently have some amazing design books that are sure to give you great ideas.
I know I am personally loving color.  While burlap and beige linen, creams and neutrals will always have their place in my heart, I just need something a bit more exciting!!  Turquoise and teal, coral and hot pink, even emerald green are my favorites lately.  And bright color can be mixed into an existing neutral palette in small doses -- a bright art print on a plain white wall, some throw pillows for your sofa or bed, even a few new candles in spring shades.
Visit us at UNION to see all our fun new spring things!
And visit our facebook (www.facebook.com/parisenvyhome) to see more photos (I'm even attempting to be active on Pinterest...stay tuned!)

Grown Up Easter Baskets

Even though you're not a little one anymore, it's still fun to wake and find your very own grown-up version of a Happy Spring or Easter Basket, right?!
So slip a little note under their coffee cup, or a post-it on the old laptop directing them down to PARIS ENVY,  where we will help gather the most amazing array of goodies!

A few ideas...

"Paris In Color" design book and faux-turquoise faceted ring; just add saltwater taffy or M&M's in spring hues!

Candy-colored coral & pearl bracelet, passion fruit scented French soap and a mini purse mirror -- Magnifique!!

For him:  eyeglass change dish (or soap, or even glasses!)  ruler bottle opener in a manly cast iron, and a book on modern design.

Happy Spring!!  And remember, Paris Envy is now located at Union, east end of Biltmore Fashion Park.  Spread the word!  (**Mention this post and we'll give you 15% off non-sale merchandise for your baskets**)

S A L E

We are hosting a most fabulous after-holdiay SALE!!
All gift merchandise is now from 15% to 50% off.
Save on  glassware, handcrafted pillows, candles, baby goodies and more!

*furnishings and lighting not included in sale*

This Valentine's day, what will you give to your sweetie?

How about sweet smelling scents?
Royal Apothic recently launched its first-ever men's  line, with fragrance, shave gel and oil, and candle.  It's a wonderful mixture of mandarin, amber and cedarwood --clean but a bit spicy.  He'll love it and you'll enjoy it too!

And for the ladies, the Two for Tea set in four different scents!  A vintage-style tea tin holds miniature versions of eau de parfum and handcreme.  Perfect purse size.

We have many other fun ideas to make your amour's day:  jewelry, scented candles from our Poetic License line, beautiful books and journals.Oui!  Do stop in.

Industrial revolution!

So many new creations from the brilliant Jason Moore have just arrived.
Zinc and steel finishes and retro Edison bulbs offer a bit of edge to any interior.

From Paris With Love

Not to be missed -- the adorable children's line Mimi'lou Paris!  Whimsical paper lanterns, soft stuffed animal pillows, and the most imaginative wall decals we've laid eyes on.  Truly unique things for your own little ones and perfect for gift giving.

If you haven't been introduced to Jacadi Paris, the time is now!  This fragrance line was created especially for children, with baby boy and girl scents that are completely alcohol free and suitable for spritzing in nurseries, and even on clothing.   There are also scents for elementary-aged little men and women -- light enough to be worn daily and sure to delight those that love to feel "all grown up."

More shots of the new Paris Envy!!

Once you see our scroll-work iron gates you know it's us!

Handcrafted reproduction bread cart featuring gorgeous glassware, dishware and votive candle holders



 

A view of our grand chandelier and table piled high with home goodies!

Welcome to our new pied-a-terre!!!

Handcrafted pillows adorn our iron daybed.  Iron lamps with bird & floral motif shades flank the concrete-topped console and highlight books, candles and decor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Sale!!

              
It's time once again for our annual SUMMER SALE!!  This will be our last, as we will be moving out by August 25 in preparation for our new shop at Biltmore!
Stop by to save 20% store wide, and 50% on selected items (and to see us in our original location one last time...)
We are returning to our regular hours so you'll have lots of shopping time!
TUESDAY -- SATURDAY, 11 AM  to 5 PM

Hope to see you soon!!

Nous Sommes Si Enthousiastes!!

Is how you say "We Are So Excited!!" in French -- not to be confused with "Nous sommes tres excitee!"  Which is "We are so turned on!"  (Glad I checked my online translator!  But maybe it's both?!)

Paris  Envy will be moving!!  This fall we are joining a fabulous group of local businesses at what will be known as Union at the Biltmore.  Multiple wonderfulness all in one spot!  And though the space will be a wee bit smaller, the offerings will be every bit as amazing, and then some.
Stay tuned for details...

And in the mean time, rush down to claim your one-of-a-kind Paris Envy treasure!  Many pieces will not be re-created, and once they're gone, au revoir!

SUMMER HOURS

We are headed into the heat!  As the temperature soars, please make note of our store hours:

WEDNESDAY -- SATURDAY, 11:00 AM TO 5:00 PM
BEGINNING WED, MAY 16th

Check our blog and facebook page to see new pieces we're working on and other special happenings!