Inspirations for Traditional Living...Boaz Mazor

(From New York Social Diary)

Boaz Mazor has worked for Oscar de la Renta for forty years, having now earned that wonderful “At Large” title (although technically he is a vice-president) and this is one of those conversations that made us feel we had met someone who really relishes and celebrates life. He must have his demons because he has depth, but he is an unapologetic maximalist and we loved the exuberance of his apartment and his expansive emphasis on genuine face-to-face connection with people as opposed to the dislocated world of Facebook and Twitter and iPhoning. [Full Story]

Happy Thanksgiving From The Beaux Mondes Designs Family

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  This year our family spent the holiday at home with just the four of us...Papa Dan, Daniel,myself and Cocco.   

Although we've enjoyed and missed the large gatherings with our extended families in the past,  it was really nice to celebrate with just our small family.

 It was great to wake up late and lounge in the family room in front of the fireplace watching holiday movies, surfing the internet and playing a few board games.  A couple hours before dinner, we took a long family stroll around the neighborhood enjoying the chilled weather.

Dinner was over the top delicious.  Papa Dan literally prepared a feast. Brined turkey, chicken liver stuffing, steamed asparagus,mashed potatoes and gravy made with turkey drippings,cream,cherry and stock .

A bottle of Cambria Chardonnay,Earthquake Syrah and sparkling cider for the little guy.  For dessert, vanilla ice cream with Pumpkin and Berry Pie topped with fresh home made whipped cream.

The little guy enjoying his cider from Papa Dan's secretary....Thank you Cynthia!

The turkey was so tender and juicy!

Little Daniel's sister Cocco coming to clean up after her brother's mess under the table.

 Looking forward to Christmas in Dallas, Texas with Papa Dan's family.  

Inspirations For Fine Traditional Living-Chateau De Mirambeau

Move over Cinderella.  While this estate may be called a chateau, it is actually a castle fit for a fairy tale.   

  The prestigious Chateau de Mirambeau is near Bordeaux and Cognac.  

Chateau de Mirambeau is one more reason I have to venture out of Paris the next time I go to France.

This aristocratic residence has gone through many incarnations.

        It began as a medieval fortress and underwent numerous sieges, destruction and fires.  Its present form happened under the ownership of Count Charles Nicolas Duchâte.



















   

   In 2002 it underwent a complete restoration and renovation. The castle ia surrounded by lush parkland. 

The building consists of a body of neo-Louis XIII, framed by two pavilions of the same style, and two asymmetrical wings.

    One of them is marked by Renaissance influences, the other by the neo-medieval influences .

 The entrance, flanked by two cylindrical towers, is one of the oldest parts of the building, dating back at least to the seventeenth century. Today, visitors can stay as the hotel guests of current owner Mr Valter Mainett.

The Chateau de Mirambeau Bordeaux offers a choice of 23 luxury rooms including 9 Junior Suites and Suites, each decorated differently in 19th century bourgeois style.

         I just love the decadence throughout this public space.

 The Chateau has an indoor pool, two tennis courts, a second swimming pool and a fitness circuit.

A Fall Asian Inspired Setting For A French Treat

Happy Tablescape Thursday!  This fall Asian inspired table for 4 was set this past Saturday evening.  The delicious beef pastry filled with mushroom paste treat was prepared by Papa Dan from a recipe out of Julia Child's 1968 published Volume Two, Mastering the Art of French Cooking book.

 

  

                               For more unique and creative table settings, visit Susan at Between Naps On The Porch's "Tablescape Thursday" event.

Happy All Hallows Eve 2011

Kitchen Accomplished...The Reveal

Before:

 

 

This is why you never saw me post about our kitchen. The home 

was built in 1927. When we purchased the home it had the 1985 

remodel pictured above. Although we recognized the space was 

outdated and not our taste, it somehow didn't bother us so long 

as it was functional. As a result, we procrastinated in 

updating the space. In fact, the reason we finally renovated 

this year was because the appliances(refrigerator and stove) 

were starting to give up and the ceramic tiles around the sink 

began to fall off. Also, I've been propositioned to enter our 

home in the neighborhood's annual home tour for 2012. A 

really terrific designer and blogger Katie Denham of Katiedid also lives 

here (another fact I can use to boast that our area is the 

best!) and featured her home in the 2009 home tour. Her home is still being raved 

about today and her kitchen was a show stopper and a stand out 

favorite. I knew I had to do something to our space before I 

opened the doors to the public.

AFTER:

 

The total cost for this project including all appliances was 

just under $38K. The inspiration behind the design is French 

Country.

 

The size of this space prior to our restoration was just 100 

square ft.

Because of its location and our budget, we were only 

able to add 10 more square feet to the small space. We took 

that space from the adjacent hallway behind the East wall of 

the kitchen located directly behind the old electric oven which 

contained a narrow utility closet that we only used to store 

some tools. 

 

 

 Another affordable proposed solution which was within the 

budget was to open the kitchen up to the current formal dining 

room behind the south wall. For our family, that was not an 

option. Both Dan and I are big lovers of traditional formal 

dining rooms and so joining the two rooms was quickly ruled 

out.

 

 Due to the distance of the cook top from the main sink, a small 

vegetable sink and faucet with pull out spray was installed for 

convenient pot filling and pasta draining.

 The small sink will have a round cutting board with a pull out 

hole that fits perfectly over the sink for extra prep space on 

the counter. While we wait for the builder to supply it, we 

have improvised with this cutting board.

 

  I am very happy with all the details including the wallpaper, 

dentil moulding and door appliques. We thought it gave the 

space a warm elegance typically found in French Country 

interiors.

 

 

 

Love the $15.00 Ikea chalkboard.

 

Coordinating counter height rolling cart that double duties as 

as a serving cart for the dining room.

A nice alternative for kitchens with very limited counter 

space. 

  The cart is a great mobile prep station that can be 

conveniently rolled anywhere in the space or out of the way 

into the pantry or laundry/mud room.

 

Removable shelves to allow for use as a small eating space. 
With the new kitchen, Papa Dan will be guest posting about his  

favorite recipes preparations (move over Julie...its going to be Dan and Julia).