Museum of Decorative Arts

The Museum of Decorative Arts (Musee des Arts Decoratifs) is a fantastic museum that I had never been to until just a few weeks ago. Amy and I decided to stop in and have a look. She was especially interested in the items from a few centuries ago.

My interest in those things dried up pretty quickly, but once I got to the section of the museum with the more modern design displays (i.e., from 1900 forward), I couldn't get enough.

There was a great display of chairs in all different designs and styles covering decades of design. I think there were 100 chairs in all.

I inevitably found the minimal embellishment and great lines and structure of the mid-century modern pieces to be wonderful.

I know not everyone would feel the same way, but to me this chair looks like I could just sink right in and read for hours (as long as I had an ottoman). See the next picture for a full view of the "lamp" wall-piece you can see, um..., sprouting out of the chair.

This picture is ugly. But I wanted to include it to show that lamp. Amazing. I love it--function, cool design, and a big piece of wall art at the same time.

I love everything about this "room." I love that the furniture is a little bit lower (since my legs are so short, furniture that is closer to the ground is helpful--otherwise, it's all about the ottomans.). I think the lines of the chaise are just awesome. And those floating shelves are going to get a DIY attempt one of these days (once I'm home, of course).

Can I have this set of consoles, please? (You can barely see it, but just behind the informational sign in front of the console, there is a black circle on top of the console. I'm guessing it was a record player or something similar, but I couldn't tell for sure).

If you want to spend thousands of dollars on me one day, try to buy this sideboard or one like it. Isn't it beautiful? I love the simplicity of the design and the lines, but the warmth of the wood and the pattern of the grain.

And I don't even know how to begin describing the perfection of this desk and chair. (The desk chair, not the leather one in front.)

And this was just a delightful surprise. It's an awesome old armchair with embellished woodwork that has been painted with acrylics paints! I think I now have to do this. Even if I just send it to the dump afterwards.

So, that's a taste of the Museum of Decorative Arts. Obviously this is only a sampling that is very biased toward my own preferences.
I wouldn't suggest this to families with younger children (or even adolescents, really), and unless you're really interested in design or interior decoration, I would keep this as a reserve activity should you find yourself with an hour or two to spare. I absolutely loved it, but I've also already seen the "big" sites in Paris.

Thursday Night...

...I'll be sleeping just 10 minutes away from Disneyland Paris.

But I'm not going to Disneyland*. Oh, no. I'm going somewhere WAY better.


The Frankfurt temple!! I can't wait.
A) I love Germany
B) I love the Temple!
C) Bonus: A distribution center is right nearby... (so, you can bet I'll be stocking up)


All of the YSA's that are going on the temple trip are meeting at the church in Torcy at 8:30 Friday morning, then putting in a long day of driving before going to the temple Friday night, having a fireside, going to the temple Saturday morning, and heading back to France.

I decided that instead of pushing my luck and trying to make the train ride that morning (I have had multiple problems with the trains this very week), I would take the train Thursday after Institute and camp out overnight in a Mister Bed right by the train station and the church. I'll probably end up staying there Saturday night, too, since we'll be getting back into Torcy at 11:00. If the trains are still running from that station at that point, I might try to just get back into the city. But... we'll see.


I haven't been to the temple since January and I am really looking forward to it. Access to a (ha, A... how about EIGHT) temple within easy driving distance is definitely a bonus of the good ol' hometown, whatever it's limitations may be.

*not this weekend, at least. I'm thinking it's a day trip I'll have to make before coming home, though.

Louvre Visit

Part of one evening was spent at the Louvre, looking mostly at the large format pictures, like:

Liberty Leading the People

and

The Raft of the Medusa

We also paid a visit to Nike... or Winged Victory.



Then we went outside to see the lighting of the Pyramid for the 20th anniversary of it's creation. It was depressing. I'm not going to bother posting a video.

Pompi-douuuuu

Amy and I also made a quick stop by the Pompidou Center. HALF of it was closed to prepare for an exhibit of works by female artists. Lame. (Not the new exhibit, but that they closed down HALF of the museum.)

I took a couple of pics, then found a bench to rest on while Ames took a look around the remaining half of the museum.


I'm going to be heading back there sometime in the next couple of weeks, because there is a Kandinsky exhibit that just opened!! Can't wait to see that. As some of you may remember, I love Kandinsky. His most colorful and graphic works really inspire me. It will be really interesting to see some of his other works in person (there are two very small works on permanent display in the Pompidou, but nothing that I was a huge fan of). Hopefully it won't disappoint.

The Eiffel Tower

Ames and I stopped by the Eiffel once during the day...






and once at night...

I love when the tower sparkles. It just feels magical. It's actually really pretty.

We ran into two girls from Colombia who were there for their last night, and ALL of the batteries in every device they had that could take pictures had died. So we took their pictures and promised to email them.

Only, I can't find the pics. Ames? Were they on your camera?

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

My parents have been married for 31 years TODAY. Love you both!

Congratulations!

Mom and Dad at a castle near Dresden, Germany. April 20, 2009.

Couldn't Sleep In Like I Planned, So...

I changed my sheets, because I've "had it up to HERE" with turning over in bed while I'm reading and coming face to face with this: