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Authentic Parisian roof decoration by Toit de Paris
How would you like to take a little piece of Paris with you? An authentic object which, from its height, will have borne witness to the history of the capital? This is what the company “Toit de Paris” offers with its extraordinary idea of recycling the zinc roofs of traditional Parisian buildings into superb decorative objects! Zinc roofs have been one of Paris’ architectural signatures since the Haussmann works of the 19th century. Its shades of grey, which cover the capital, are known worldwide. More than 70% of Parisian roofs are made of zinc, a material chosen for its lightness and resistance to corrosion and bad weather. France…
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Tea by DAMMANN FRERES
The French Tea History dates back to the Versailles’ court times. The royal court was found of novelties and was excited to discover the East Indies secrets. In 1692, the French King Louis XIV gave an exclusive licence * to Mr Damame for the tea trading. (* the famous King’s edit for “caffé, thé, sorbec, chocolat”= for coffee, tea, ice-cream and chocolate !). Since then, the company Dammann Frères have been investing in tea and/or spices factories abroad, in boutiques or retailers networks. But also have been creating its own blends and accessories: * years 50′: creation of the first french flavored blend (“Douchka” black tea blend),…
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Handmade knife from LAGUIOLE city
The traditional LAGUIOLE style knife is born in the Laguiole village area (in the high plateau of Aubrac in the north Aveyron region, south of France). It was inspired from the spanish knives (Navaja) that the local men used to bring back after working there during the winter time. Since 1828, cutlers have been handcrafting the traditional knives with the following basic details: * an arche line * a folding form * a 1 to 3-pieces accessories: a blade, with additional corkscrew and/or awl. The corkscrew is linked to the request of the people from Aveyron who left the department to conquer the Parisian coffees. For the awl, it was…
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Coin collection & jewelry by MONNAIE DE PARIS
The “Monnaie de Paris” was founded in 864 by the French King Charles II. The King’s purpose was to decree the creation of a coining workshop in Paris, attached to the crown. At the time, 8 coin striking workshops were scattered right across the territory. For several centuries, the number of royal workshops varied. By 1878, only Monnaie de Paris was still in operation. Its current location (Quai de Conti) was decided by the King Louis XV. In 1958, President Charles de Gaulle relocated the coins factory (industrial minting) in the west of France ( 44 Pessac). The ultra-secured factory not only manufactures the Euro coins used in France…
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Household linen by GARNIER-THIEBAUT
The “Garnier-Thiebaut” brand is one of the 3 last jacquard French manufacturers. Reminder: Jacquard fabric is a textured fabric with complex patterns woven into it, rather than printed, dyed or embroidered on the top. It is the French Joseph-Marie Jacquard, a weaver of the textile Lyon city, who created in 1801 the revolutionary Jacquard loom.The machine uses a series of punch cards, rather than a draw boy, to guide the loom, telling it which threads to raise at which times in order to create a jacquard weave. “Bistanclaque pan ” is the other nickname of the jacquard loom, due to its specific working noise. And by the way, the same…
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18th century inspiration artcraft by ANTOINETTE POISSON
When 2 heritage restorers re-discovered the “Domino” paper technique ! In the 1700s, the decorative papers were hand-blocked crafted by the Dominotiers (French guild of paper makers). Those papers sheets were used as wallpaper, decorative papers (books covers) or lining boxes….But during the next century, with the new continuous paper roll, the Domino technique slowly disappeared. Luckily, Vincent Farelly and Jean-Baptiste Martin have been reviving this “savoir-faire” in their Parisian workshop. They even named their brand with the real name of the Marquise de Pompadour, the King Louis XV’s favorite (she was a lover of art and wallpaper, who lived when the domino papers flourished ). You will…
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Tableware, home decoration & jewelry by Alix D. Reynis
The story of Alix D. Reynis is a story of a professional retraining. Law studies, sculptor, notary clerk, construction site manager…..such a long way before finding her true-self ! Porcelain modeler…to our greatest delight…. She designs and models the plaster molds. And then makes the final product be manufactured in the Limoges city, the French iconic porcelain place. Alix D. Reynis defines her brand as “pure, refined, simple and timeless”. The white ceramic porcelain is available in several ranges of products : dinnerware, lighting and scented candles. She also creates silver gilt & gold jewelry, inspired from Antique & Middle Ages History. All her…
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Cosmetics by L’OCCITANE EN PROVENCE
Who would have thought that a small business created in 1976 in the south of France would tun out to be such a successful international group ? Well, certainly not the historical founder, Mr Olivier Baussan, who used to sell its essential oils and soaps on the local markets in Provence… L’Occitane En Provence brand offers natural beauty products dedicated to well-being, drawing inspiration from the Mediterranean art-de-vivre and traditions. It is 100% made with French ingredients (excepting the Shea butter coming from Burkina Faso), with a sustainable sourcing and clean formulas. Almonds, peonies, lavender, cédrat, cherry blossoms, organic immortelle, roses, aromatic herbs…etc. The choice is large among the various…
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Underwears, footwears & clothes by LE SLIP FRANCAIS
Impossible not to talk about Le Slip Français, one of the french business success story as we like it ! Or how a young graduated named Guillaume Gibault decided in 2011 to restaure the status of the french man’s underwear…10 years later, the wage is a success ! The manufacturing is 100% made in France (in 29 subcontracted workshops in France). And the company now sells men and women’ underwear, slippers, socks, clothes…. Le Slip Français even implemented its own factory for the slippers’ production ! Le Slip Français is an uncomplicated,comfortable and unisex brand ! It also manages capsules collection in collaboration with…
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Dolls by PETITCOLLIN
In 1860, in the north east of France, Mr Nicolas Petitcollin created a hair accessories workshop. All women had long hairs: so combs and toiletries (in horn, boxwood or ivory) were very famous. In 1898, the company invested in a new technology : the celluloid, the first plastic material ! After plastic hairs accessories, the first toys … and in 1912, the first plastic doll, replacing the historical and fragile porcelain doll ! Without forgetting the mobile closing eyes’ patent when the baby doll is laid down. Despite the world wars turmoils, the company became the most important french manufacturer of celluloid toys till the 70′. Its iconic baby doll…
