L′Orangerie du Château de Versailles

This morning I'm feeling inspired by the amazing orangery, built by Jules Hardouin-Mansart between 1684 and 1686, at the gardens of Versailles.  With more than 1,000 perfectly kept potted plants, this garden is without a doubt the world's most famous showcase of citrus trees indoor and out.  So being that I'm a bit of a Fracophile this got me thinking....maybe I should grow my own citrus?  Sure I may not have Louis XIV's sprawling outdoor setup but I do have an apartment with sprawling 10 foot windows and if the plants at Versailles can survive indoors between November and April I figure they can live indoors at my place, right?

I did a little searching and found these cute kumquat, lemon and lime topiaries at Viva Terra.  These citrus trees may be small but they grow full-sized fruit year-round...what a wonderful way to beat the winter blues!

French Favorite | Jacques Adnet

I have long admired the avante-grade Art Deco furniture designs of Jacques Adnet — his style is the epitome of chic. So I was thrilled to see that Danish company, Gubi, recently reintroduced the round leather mirror that Adnet designed for his 1950's collaboration with French fashion house Hermés.  In association with Hermés, Adnet designed serveral pieces of leather-covered furniture and accessories, many of which can be found of 1stdibs, but none are as iconic as this round leather mirror with equestrian inspired detailing.  Pick up just about any design magazine or catalog and you'll see that many brands have been 'inspired' by this piece.  I may be alone on this but in the age of knock offs I still believe nothing beats the real thing!

French Favorite | Louis Philippe Mirrors

I've lived in my apartment for a little over a month now and it seems there's still a lot of empty space.  Take the empty wall above my sofa...I could easily run out and purchase a bunch of inexpensive prints to fill the wall but I'm not going to.  I've decided to wait to find pieces that I am absolutely in love with rather than rush to fill my home with meaningless things.  When I moved into my own apartment I made a wish list of items and since then I've been slowly saving and checking them off.

One of the first pieces I knew I needed to have was a Louis Philippe-style mirror - the simple lines, rounded corners and gilded finish really appeal to me.  I purchased the one pictured above at a Leslie Hindman Market Place Auction last year.  I got a little carried away when bidding but I know I will have this piece forever.  In my last apartment  it hung above a console table, now it's the starting point for a gallery wall above my sofa.  This piece is so versatile I know it will always find a place in my home.  Below are a few of my favorite ways designers have used Louis Philippe mirrors to liven up a space. Which one is your favorite?

Above the Sofa: Nate Berkus + Anne Coyle incorporated a Louis Philippe mirror into the gallery wall of this study.  I wish I could buy everything in this room, especially the Michael Hainey bird painting!
Above the Sofa: Jodi Webb shared this gorgeous Louis Philippe mirror on her blog, Cote de Texas.
Above the Fireplace: A Louis Philippe mirror hung above the fireplace reflects the surrounding room.
In the Living Room: Laurann Claridge hung a Louis Philippe mirror over a 19th-century Biedermeier chest to create a beautiful tablescape.

In the Bedroom: Palmer Weiss paired a Louis Philippe mirror with a vintage chest of drawers and various silver picture frames.
In the Entry:  A Louis Philippe mirror hung above a console table reflects light from a chandelier and makes the perfect place to take a quick peek before heading out.
In the Dining Room:  A floor mirror layered over a wall of mirrors adds depth.

French Favorite | Café Chairs

Time to let the sun shine in, it’s Friday!  Any weekend goals for your home? Mine is to find a new apartment — preferably one with a dining room or kitchen island so that I can complete my new year’s goal of eating dinner like a lady (not in front of the tv). I filed this images away as inspiration for chairs that might work well with a small bistro table — ideal dining for two.  A French favorite, these classic rattan and rilsan café chairs can be seen on traditional bistro sidewalks and terraces throughout Paris.  I'm in love with their bold colors and beautiful weave designs.  Chic, chic, chic.

Marshall Watson and Ashley Whittaker

Peter Pennoyer

John Oetgen

Victoria Hagan

A few sources in case you too have a hankering for a bit of Paris:

Maison Gatti Bistro Chairs: Available through Annick de Lorme and Cafe Society

Poitoux Rattan Chairs: Available through, Glacseat.com

TK Collections

Beaufurn

French Favorite: Jacques Grange

Last weekend's Wall Street Journal  ran a terriffic article on the "dressed down" style made famous by French interior designer Jacques Grange.  The poetic profile, written by David Netto, conjured up visions of Paris and everything I love about French design.  Today’s post is the first in a series of French Favorites - from architecture to art and everything in between.  I begin the journey with the master of eclectic-informal style, Jacques Grange. The recipient of France’s greatest tribute, the Légion d’honneur, he is without doubt France’s most famous designer. Four decades of work for high profile clients such as Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino and the Lauder family has shaped his aesthetic and earned him a reputation as one of the greats. But it's Mr. Grange's apartment in the Palais-Royal, the 18th-century house-and-garden complex near the Louvre, that truly showcases his ability to artfully engage the old with the new.  The space, pictured here, is a cultural pileup of paintings, sculpture, and furnishings from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.  It's the house of a collector - a place for him to live with the things he loves. C’est magnifique!

Grange's large living room serves several functions but is designed for conversation.  The diverse chairs and stools scattered around add a layer to the room and are functional since you can move them around or tuck them under a table.  There is just the right amount of tension between the architecture - 18th-century-style cornices and Versailles parquet floor - and Grange's diverse collection.

All of Mr. Grange's textiles and accessories have a global influence that give his apartment a well-traveled look.

The traditional sofa paired with a modern spin painting by Damien Hirst creates a unique mix.

I would pay to get my paws on Jacques' china cabinet - the collection feels assembled over time.

The gilt fern fronds chandelier in the bath once graced the bedroom of Madeleine Castaing. 

The March issue of Architectural Digest featured Jacques' second home. And while his tastes have evolved, the colors, fabrics, textures, and materials he uses to create interiors seem to remain timeless – timelessness, of course, being a quality shared by all great designers.

Images: The Selby and François Halard for Architectural Digest