Cote de Texas: Antique Giveaway from Paris Hotel Boutique!!!

What’s in a name?   When people ask me about blogging – how to get their blog noticed, what it takes to attract readers - one of the things I stress is to think up a good name for your blog.  It needs to be catchy, memorable, and at the same time, it needs to explain something about yourself and describe your blog in some way.  I struggled for weeks for a name, finally settling on something that speaks to both my love of French design and my location:  Cote de Texas, meaning, in French,  I live on the Texas coast.   Also, it’s a play on words for the French magazine, Cote de Sud.   Hopefully, anyone interested in Texas and/or French design would be willing to give my blog a chance after they saw my name.  

 

Lynn Goldfinger-Abram, owner of the Paris Hotel Boutique

 

When I first heard of the web store Paris Hotel Boutique, the name alone intrigued me:   French antiques with an emphasis on hotel silver.   The name of the web store and blog is catchy enough to attract readers and it gives a clue to what’s in store.   Plus, it’s easy to remember.   Who could resist taking a peek with a name like that?    Paris Hotel Boutique is owned by Lynn Goldfinger-Abram, and after visiting her website, I was hooked.  Lynn has a feminine flair – with an infectious interest in the glamour days of bygone.    She has a passion for antique hotel silver – those wonderful pieces that once graced the dining tables at the most elegant hotels.   The initial core of her business, started in 1995,  was this much sought out silver, but now, she sells a variety of antiques including hotel china, jewelry, lighting, accessories, furniture, and rare, first-edition design books.   Lynn’s discerning eye ties it all together.  The web store is charmingly arranged like an old hotel elevator – which only adds to the visual appeal.   One of my favorite emails is the New Items announcement from the Paris Hotel Boutique.  I always immediately click on the site to peruse the newest arrivals because the best tends to sell quickly.     Over the years, I’ve bought  from Lynn and have always been thrilled with the actual item.   Her pictures are accurate, there are no surprises.   One surprise though, was a personal connection between Lynn and myself.    Her husband’s name sounded awfully familiar to me – Leif Abrams – not exactly a John Doe kind of name.   But why?   They live in San Francisco, how would I know her husband?  As fate would have it,  years and years ago – when we were both single - Leif and I met when we both attended a “Singles Mission” to Israel - and he actually dated my roommate during that trip.

 

 

I dug out this old, old photograph from the 80s – that’s moi on the bottom, with Leif, Lynn’s husband, and my roomie and bff Mindy on an Israeli Singles Mission.   We sure were “handsy” in those days.  And btw, the Singles Mission was a huge bust for me.   I remained single after going on TWO missions!!!!   But, we sure had fun. 

Do you notice something interesting in this picture?   Hanging on the hotel wall in Jerusalem is a huge suzani.   I wonder if it is old?  And no, I never noticed it at the time.

 

Besides her web store, Lynn writes a charming blog HERE.  Over the years on the blog, she has shown pictures of her house – which has been publicized in several design magazines.   One of my favorite rooms in Lynn’s house is her breakfast room – here you can see a part of her hotel silver collection.  It’s amazing!!!

 

 

 

Another picture of her breakfast room.  Lynn attends all the auctions of the old grand hotels when they close their doors.  Betty Lou Phillips has a similar food warmer in her own dining room.  

 

My favorite at Lynn’s house is this antique map.  Wow.  Incredible!!!

 

 

Besides hotel silver, Lynn collects hotel china.   It’s all so romantic!!

 

 

What’s for sale at the Paris Hotel Boutique these days?  Here are some of my favorite items:   these vintage French chairs in white with blue fabric. Beautiful.

I am loving this charming chandelier with the pink glass teardrops.

 

 

This is an antique apothecary scale.  Really beautiful.

Lynn has this large set of bound NY Times newspapers from the 1930’s.   I wish I could afford the entire set!

 

 

 

And I can’t resist this hotel sugar bowl from 1900 Paris.  I love the pink and gold trim.

THE GIVEAWAY:

I was thrilled beyond belief when Lynn offered to host a giveaway for Cote de Texas readers!   One reader will receive this beautiful antique convex Lyre-shaped mirror from the early 1900s.  It measures 26-1/2" tall, 15-1/4" wide and is approx. 2-1/4" thick. The convex mirror is 9-1/2" in diameter.   Lynn says the mirror was probably once mounted on top of a dresser.   The mirror’s value is $675.  

 

How to enter the contest:   In order to win, you must first go to the Paris Hotel Boutique web site at http://www.parishotelboutique.com/store/lobby.php

Once there, please look around at all the items offered for sale, and pick out your personal favorite.  Then, come back here and leave me comment telling me your favorite item from the Paris Hotel Boutique.  That’s all!   Remember – if you enter, you must leave your name and email address!!   The lucky winner will be chosen this Thursday at 12:00a.m.  So hurry!!!   One entry per person, please. 

And finally, I want to offer a huge thank you to Lynn for hosting this giveaway!!!    Thanks Lynn, you’re the best!!

The Hottest Photographer Going

 

The latest Town and Country magazine has a spread on the gorgeous house of Cosima von Bulow.   Her living room is especially beautiful, with its cranberries and blues.   But it’s the photograph over the sofa that really got my attention.   Taken by Candida Hofer – she is the hottest thing in upscale decorating according to the design magazines out this month.  I counted three of her photos used by different designers just this month alone.  When was the last time that happened? 

 

 

Here’s #2 - in October’s Elle Décor – Frederic Fekkai’s dining room featured a photograph by Candida Hofer, interior design by Robert Couturier.  Notice how large the photographs are.   In recent years, Hofer’s photographs have gotten bigger and bigger.

 

And #3, in the latest Veranda, this apartment by Timothy Whealon featured a Candida Hofer photograph on the landing.  Notice the gorgeous walnut door!  Whealon told All The Best Blog that his most prized possession was a Hofer photograph HERE.   Three magazines, one month, three houses – all Candida Hofer. 

 

 

The Trinity Library – Whealon’s most prized possession is this photograph.

 

 

And, a little different angle from Whealon’s web site – showing the photograph more clearly.

 

 

 

 

 

The Museum of Archeology in Venice – this is the photograph in Whealon’s Veranda spread.

 

 

 

Looking through a few older magazines showed evidence of more Candida Hofer:   Jill Stuart’s NYC apartment by Annabelle Selldorf – seen in Elle Décor, October 2009.  The Hofer photograph is seen behind the sofa on the left.

 

 

Seen in Metropolitan Home – a Hofer photograph over the mantel.   It’s almost impossible to figure out which photograph this is.

 

 

 

And another Hofer of an Opera Theatre, seen in a dining room.

 

Elizabeth Mayhew also talked to Ronda of All The Best Blog – HERE.   Her most prized possession is her art work, including this Candida Hofer library photograph.

 

 

So, who is Candida Hofer who has attracted the attention of so many of the finest interior designers and art collectors?   Born in Germany, Hofer trained under avant garde German photographers Bernd and Hilla Becher.    She first gained notice with her series on “Interiors,”  “Rooms,” and “Zoological Gardens.”   While her early work showed exteriors and people, her later work became increasing devoid of people and featured interiors exclusively.   She says she does not do landscapes.   Her later, most famous work concentrates on libraries, theatres, museums, and a series of works in Italy, all published in gorgeous coffee table books. 

 

The artist stands in front of two of photographs.

 

I am not an art critic, but I know what I like – and her images of public buildings are beautiful.  Always taken from a dead on perspective, the interiors seem so alive, though not a soul is captured.     I can see how this contemporary art work works so well in interiors that are neither strictly contemporary nor traditional.     But, the art does seem much more at home in a New York highrise than a Texas ranch in Round Top.   There is much written about Hofer on the internet, if you are interested in perusing it.   I had a field day reading all about her in detail.  Most of the reviews are positive, there is very little negative written about her work.    Below are some of my favorite images – most are rather recent works, as opposed to her earlier, more stark and depressing subjects. 

 

 

Le Louvre – Candida Hofer did a series of photographs at the famous Paris museum.

 

 

Another photograph from the Louvre Museum

 

 

Salone di Castel Capuano, detto anche “Salone dei Busti”

 

 

 

Palais Garnier

And, Palais Garnier set for a dinner.  

 

Her photographs of libraries are spectacular.  Here, Naples.  This would make such a stunning image in a living room or library. 

 

 

 

The gorgeous Abbey of the Library at Saint Gallin.  A rare photograph that includes people in it. 

 

 

 

The State Library in Naples.  Incredible building. 

 

 

Naples State Library – another view.  What a gorgeous library, the tiled floor, the carved wood shelves.  Beautiful.

 

 

 

This library has beautiful marble floors and carved wood columns.

 

 

Philadelphia Library.

 

 

Amazing.  The books are so incredible.  I couldn’t resist showing this image so large, you can see so much more detail this way!  Look at the handrails!    Remember, put your monitor on maximum view.   

 

 

 

Hofer has taken many photographs of beautiful theatres, here - The Theatre of Naples.  Gorgeous!  Another photograph that I can see in a living room or a dining room, especially in a room with dark blue velvet.  

 

 

 

Masonic Temple in Philadelphia.

 

 

Masonic  Temple in Philadelphia.

 

 

Theatre royal de la MonnaieKoninklijke Muntschouwburg

 

 

What does one cost?  I don’t know, but in 2006 – this signed photograph of which there are six, sold for $90,000.00.  Yikes!

 

 

By contrast, this lithograph, of which there are 100, sells for around $4,000 – much more affordable!

 

 

1976, a series of Turkish workers,  included people, of course – something her work never shows today.

 

 

In my opinion, not all of Hofer’s photographs would be as desirable to hang in an elegant dining room as others.  Some of  her work is depressing or unattractive – not nearly as beautiful as a photograph of a Venice museum.

 

 

Other Photographers:

 

What if you can’t afford an original Hofer?   Photographer Don Menges took this shot of the Monroe County office, emulating the style of Candida Hofer.  I’m sure his work goes for a fraction of what an Hofer does.  Look at more of his work HERE.

 

 

 

Other photographers that designers like to use:    Here Miles Redd used a Andrew Moore photograph on the right in this apartment.

 

 

Two Thomas Struth photographs flank an Andreas Gursky photograph in this Metropolitan Home feature story.  Struth and Gursky are both peers of Hofer and they all studied together under Bernd and Hilla Becher.

 

 

 

 

 

This photographer is shown a lot - David Armstrong.   The blurry images are confusing to me. 

 

 

 

Candida Hofer Books:

Here are a few of her more popular books – order from Amazon by clicking on the title:

 

The book on the Bologna, Italy series:

Candida Hofer: Bologna Series (9788877572127): Ludovico Pratesi, Filippo Maggia, Candida Hofer: Books ISBN: 8877572124 ISBN-13: 9788877572127

 

The gorgeous book of libraries:

Libraries (9783829601863): Candida Höfer, Umberto Eco: Books ISBN: 3829601867 ISBN-13: 9783829601863

 

The book on the Naples, Italy photographs:

Candida Hofer: Napoli (German Edition) (9783829604246): Angela Tecce: Books ISBN: 3829604246 ISBN-13: 9783829604246

 

And finally – Candida Hofer’s most acclaimed work – Architecture of Absence:

Candida Hofer: Architecture of Absence (9781931788489): Constance Glenn, Virginia Heckert, Mary-Kay Lombino, Candida Hofer: Books ISBN: 1931788480 ISBN-13: 9781931788489

 

 

 

AND – WHOA!!!!   The new Elle Décor features Suzanne Rheinstein’s pied a terre in NYC.  It’s beyond gorgeous.  The gray murals are unbelievable.   Just look at them!!!   And those gilt French chairs.   The velvet stools.   SWOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    This apartment also stars in her new book.  I got my book today and it’s a killer if you love Suzanne.  First – this apartment is shown, along with her own L.A. house showing rooms never seen before.  Her most famous job – the Virginia house - is also shown – the master bedroom has been UPDATED!!!!!!   Many of the houses have been seen before, but each shows newly refurbished updates and never seen before rooms.  The book is fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Her choices of antiques floors me – the chairs, the tables, the accessories, the mirrors, it’s all mostly French, a little Swedish, a little Italian and a little English.  GAWD.  Kill me now!!!!   I want this apartment.  Seriously.   I want this!!!!!     AND Suzanne is scheduled for the Skirted Roundtable, along with David Easton, Haskell Harris, Kathryn Ireland, and Chris Madden.   What a line up!!!!     To order the Rheinstein book,  go here:

Click on the title below:

At Home: A Style for Today with Things from the Past (9780847834099): Suzanne Rheinstein, Pieter Estersohn, Margaret Russell: Books ISBN: 0847834093 ISBN-13: 9780847834099

 

 

NOTE:     I will be having a fabulous giveaway in the next few days – be sure to watch for it!!!!!