7.16.09 Paris

This week in Paris is going by so fast! Its crazy. I think it's because we have just been go, go, go all the time and have seen so much here. Today was no different. We have all been so excited for today because of Villa Savoy.


Villa Savoy was one of Le Corbusier's gems that he designed. This house incredible, and although it may seem so simple from the outside, there is pure genius behind every aspect of this home.


Le Corbusier is one of the worlds most influential architects and designers, and revolutionized modern architecture back in the twenties. I love that people think modern design is just that, a modern day idea. No, no folks, this man had it mastered over 80 years ago. He is like a Henry Ford to the design world. This house, in his opinion was architecturaly perfect, and was based off his 5 points of architecture: stilts, roof gardens, open-plan, free-floating façade, and horizontal windows. Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes. I couldnt agree with him more.

The rooftop gardens and patio space are brilliant
and such great spaces to be in.

The cool stairs.

There was such a perfect harmony and simplicity in the house- no fuss, clutter or unused space. Everything flowed and was so well thought out that it was such a relazing place to be in.

Fab 5 on the sick spiral stair case. Oh, and Darrin.

Corbusier was a designer like Frank Lloyd Wright who also designed everything, from the house to the furniture inside it. Inside were some of his originals like the Petite Comfort Chaise, Bosculant Chair and Petite Arm Chairs.

Loved these boys, and yes they are dang comfy.

The chaise lounger. Also comfy.

You didnt really think we could just leave those
chairs alone did you?! We are just artsy like that.

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST: July 2009
At Home, with architect Brady Mathews
and designer Ali Tanner
(it was too fitting)

After soaking in all that there was to inside Villa Savoy, we headed outside and sketched for awhile.

The back of the house

From there the entire group decided to have lunch at KONG, the new and trendy restaurant by French designer Philippe Starck.

Ghost chairs. They are rad and extremely comfortable.

It was on the top floor of a really cool building with a barrel vaulted ceiling. It was modern, filled with his iconic Ghost Chairs which I will own and very tastey, pricey food.

The food, incredible. Thank you for some avocado!

But it was all for the experience, and some great food. We just wont be eating for a while after that meals tab. Back to peasant life of stealing bread and cheese from the complimentary breakfast. Fine by me. After lunch we went across the river to the Musee d' Orsay, one of Paris' most notable art museums featuring artists like Van Gohe, Monet, Renoir, Matisse and designers like Gaudi and Galle.


We loved this museum due to the fact it was much easier to navigate then the Louvre, and was also a lot less crowded. The museum is in what used to be Paris' main train station, and now features art exhibits as well as design collections.

Inside the museum.

A lot of the stuff we saw were things I just studied about over this last semester in Darrins History of Architecture class. We really like all the pieces from the Art Nouveau collection, as well as the Van Gohe paintings.

An Art Nouveau style sofa by Gaudi. Look a little Lord of The Rings-ish?
Rivendale and the whole elfish society is patterned after a
very strong Art Nouveau style.

Van Gohe

When we were all done there we had all about had it with walking and dragged outselves to the metro and finally back to the hotel. Since then we have just been sketching and getting all caught up with assignments and the blog, which I am really enjoying. But now, its time to peace out for some sleep. Au revoir!