A Parisian Day
We sat in a cream-cushioned room, a mirrored table in front of us shimmering with Murano glassware, bronzed champagne goblets and silver bowls filled with tomatoes, nuts, and prosciutto-wrapped arugula. Tall, cathedral-like windows brought in Paris’ mid-day light as we discussed our past few days in the city- the art, the exhibitions, the food.
Afterwards, a Provençal meal greeted our tastebuds. We gathered around a table draped in a chocolate-brown, white-dotted tablecloth. Thin blue candles flickered softly beside a centerpiece of strawberry wine-colored flowers — the perfect anatomy of a French tablescape. At each place setting, a single yellow sunflower in a slender glass completed the composition as we dined on exquisite plates discovered in the Paris flea market.
Talks of the turn of the century art dealer we had just learned about at the Musée de l’Orangerie filled the lunch along with long chews of the homemade omelette our host had prepared- paired with the most delightful warm tomato sauce. A chocolate mousse, served in a delicate floral china cup, concluded our gastronomic reverie before our steps led us to Château de la Mère for some “light” afternoon shopping.
As we strolled through the enchanting streets of Saint-Germain, the light sky a complimentary backdrop to the apartment buildings, scents of rose and cinnamon danced in the air. Bakeries burst with their irresistible flavors and boutiques blanketed the afternoon with their warm, inviting spirit.
The artistic genius of Valerie Maltaverne who we were beholden to earlier at her home studio lingered with us as we examined the architecture around. Valerie, the founder of Ymer & Malta, a Parisian furniture atelier had left us in awe of the pieces she had so passionately designed. Works born of nature’s poetry, fused with pragmatism and innovation, filled her home studio, entrancing each one of us. Her way of seeing the world anew stayed with us as we wandered. The sense of beauty that lies beneath the surface—and the power of pursuing something with passion and patience, the essence of Valerie’s practice—remained with us throughout the day. This was a day filled with inspiration, delicacies, and beautiful sights- a quintessential Parisian day.