PoR oBliGaCióN: January 2011

The latest trend in magazines is online publishing.   Even trendier is starting your own online magazine – no paper issues, just digital issues.   Fueled by all the print magazines that have folded during this economic downturn, everybody it seems is taking the plunge to digital.     Some of the new online-only magazines are just a few pages long with not much content or effort put into them, while others rival the best of the print versions.   Armed with professional photographers and stylists, these editors fly from coast to coast taking pictures of unique houses and shops. On the whole, the digital versions are hipper and fresher than most print magazines and target the X and Y generations.   Most appealing is their immediacy and clickable links, along with being environmentally friendly.   The first big online splash was made by Lonny, which was favorably compared to domino magazine. Last year, Twitter was busy spreading the word about a new online magazine’s release: RUE.   And soon, another promising blogger driven magazine, Houston –based High Gloss, will be released.

Singer Alison Sudol is featured on this Rue’s cover this month.

The newest mag, Rue, is just three issues old. It is filled with page after page of décor and fashion.   The editors of Rue are keenly tech savvy: they used social networking to spread the word and their first issue was a smash hit.   There were so many subscribers they were able to attract high class advertisers.    Last week, we welcomed the two founders of Rue to the Skirted Roundtable.   These girls are driven, smart, energetic and talented.   They are going places and so is Rue.   Their zest is infectious.   If you are stuck in a rut or bored or just listless, listen to these two for some much needed stimulation. I felt like an old, worthless slug after talking with them!   The third issue of Rue has just arrived this week and it is filled with story after story; the issue is impressively huge at 267 pages!    How they put this together and kept up their daily blogs, I will never understand!    Here are a few of my favorite photos from the new Rue:

My favorite story is about Brooke Giannetti from Velvet and Linen. Here, in a picture from Brooke and Steve’s shop Giannetti Home, is a chair from their furniture line which Steve and Brooke design. I LOVE, LOVE this chair!!!!!! Velvet and Linen is one of my favorite blogs, a daily must for me.

Another great story centers around entertainer and photo stylist’s Annette Joseph’s aesthetic. Loved this tablescape in her Atlanta home.

Tarama Kaye-Honey’s house is innovative and fresh.   Cute dog!

It’s not all about house décor in Rue. There’s a lot of fashion.   Beautiful photograph.

Another favorite story is about Susanna Salk’s lakeside house. Here, her breakfast room caught my eye with that great island and orange and white upholstered furniture.

I love Susanna’s kitchen with its Shaws sink and marble countertops.

Her bedroom is casual trendy.   Love the headboard and the long console doubling as a desk.

The two founders of Rue, Crystal Gentilello and Anne Sage, were both bloggers when they decided to launch Rue. They had never even met face-to-face until several weeks into their partnership.    A true story of the new century, it’s all about high tech and social networking. To listen to this inspiring interview, go HERE. To read the latest Rue, go HERE.

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Inspiration on the Skirted Roundtable This Week!

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A typical Chez Vous apartment, designed by Myra Hoefer. Chez Nous has the best looking apartments for tourist rental.

There are so many furnished apartments available for short time lease in Paris, one wonders are there any apartments left for the Parisians?   Myself, I love staying in a hotel – the more stars the better, but the ability to do that does depend on how good business is that month!    There’s nothing better than room service, high thread count sheets, marble bathrooms, and newly refurbished décor (unless you are talking about NYC with its bedbug infestation! Yuck!!!)     Still, apparently lots of tourists prefer to stay in apartments while visiting Paris.   The reasons vary but mostly, you feel like you actually live in the city as opposed to being an obnoxious tourist.   Prices for the better apartments aren’t necessarily cheaper than a hotel, but room service charges can add up quickly, turning a reasonable hotel rate into one that rivals the national debt.   Staying in an apartment alleviates that problem.
I love looking at the available apartments, there are so many that you can quickly kill an entire day fantasizing about which apartment would be the one you would choose. Some are fabulously beautiful.   The rental company, Chez Vous, has without a doubt the prettiest ones – decorated by San Francisco interior designer Myra Hoefer – their apartments are cuter than most of our houses with their flowing, luscious taffeta curtains and clean, slipcovered sofas.   Go here to pick out your favorite Chez Vous home away from home.
Other good sources are Paris Perfect, Paris Prime Rentals, Paris Luxe Apartments, and Alacarte Paris Apartments.    While there are thousands of available furnished apartments for tourists – beware, most are not fabulous or even pretty!   The furnishings in many are awful, old, and just not appealing - they are desirable solely because they are in Paris. Just like looking at real estate listings in the states, you have to wade through much ugliness to find the good Parisian apartment listings.    .
Despite looking at a lot of mediocre rentals, I did find quite a few I loved. Unfortunately, most I liked had photos that are too small or blurry to show here, but I did find a nice selection with larger images.   Below are some of those apartments that made me want to go pack my bags and fly over this weekend.   Enjoy!

APARTMENT 1:
Yes! I love the icy blue/gray interiors in this grand apartment with its beautiful hardwood floors and elegant moldings. This listing is from Haven in Paris, which has quite a few luxury listings.

I love the beautiful taffeta curtains. Three bedrooms and bathrooms – at just 5,ooo Euros a week.

Lots of white washed furniture – you can tell it was recently remodeled. I love the grand entry hall.

I guess someone could sleep on the day bed too?

One of the three bedrooms.

APARTMENT 2:
This studio apartment is located on Ile Saint Louis, an island in the middle of Paris.   Special Apartments has the listing.

The building is 18th century (my favorite!) and the stairs make me wonder if there is not an elevator? Many buildings do not have elevators, so if that is a concern, be sure to check that detail.    Other important details to confirm – washer dryer, dishwasher, WiFi connection, and television.

This is a really cute studio which was remodeled a few years ago.   The wall between the bedroom and living room is open.

I love the original stone walls and the windows are beautiful.   Notice the niche shelf in the stone wall.    The sofa is a sleeper.

Nice for a couple or a single person traveling alone.

APARTMENT 3:
Remodeled by an architect/decorator, this one caught my eye because it seems so authentic looking. Listing HERE.

The building in on the Right Bank and is 17th century! The décor is really attractive.

Beautiful taffeta curtains and antiques, such as the armoire.   Love the fireplace.

There is only one bedroom, but the sofa is a sleeper and there are two bathrooms.

The courtyard.

APARTMENT 4:
This is actually not an apartment, but a private hotel! Located in a 15th century house, it sleeps 10 people – so bring the whole family.   If not, the bedrooms can be individually rented. Totally refurbished and restored, the house is filled with French antiques. It is located on Rue de Montmorency in the Marais district.

That fireplace!   I love all the antiques! A chef comes with house, as does WiFi.

Beautiful tapestry.   Notice the old marble floor.

The iron bannister is beautiful.

Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!

Another bedroom.

There are a total of five bedrooms in the house.

Another bedroom with antique rugs and venetian styled wallpaper.

One of the modernized bathrooms. For more information, go HERE.

APARTMENT 5:
This apartment is located in a 17th century house that was once owned by a noble family and is now an historical monument. Listing is HERE.

Gorgeous stairs with marble floors. The apartment is on the nobile floor – or the 2nd floor.

It is filled with French antiques and is very elegant, not trendy at all.   There is no gray painted furniture found here.

This is what I think of when I imagine how a French family lives.

A glimpse into the bedroom through the open doors. Love the chilled champagne waiting!

There are three bedrooms. This is probably truly the dining room.

The other two bedrooms are in a loft area – not quite as grand, but still charming.

Wow. The view of the River Seine from one of the smaller bedrooms.   Does it get any better than this???

APARTMENT 6:
Many of the apartments are furnished with trendy painted faux antiques – furniture from Blanc d’Ivoire for example. This apartment has recently been decorated with the trendiest of the trendy. Still, it is very cute!

The apartment is located on the Left Bank. There is one bedroom and elevator access.

The kitchen opens to the living area.

It is all very tastefully done and is very clean looking.    When looking at pictures, be sure to check if there is carpet rather than flooring. Carpet tends to get dirty looking quickly.

The bathroom is incredible with its curved, tiled wall.

Breakfast outside! More information is HERE.

APARTMENT 7:
Are all the views in Paris this good? It seems like it!!!

This elegant apartment is large. A third bedroom can be rented as a studio.

This apartment is located on the Ile Saint Louis and is surrounded by the Seine.   It has been recently updated.

Overlooking the elegant dining room.

I love how all the dining rooms have fireplaces – so romantic.   This is so French looking!

One of the large bedrooms.   Gah. Sooooo pretty.

A fireplace in the bathroom! Wow.

This bedroom can be rented alone as a studio.

I could be happy with just this room!   Notice the balcony over looking the Seine. The link to this apartment is HERE.



And finally, last July, I showed you this apartment for rent in Paris HERE.
Filled with antiques and gray painted faux antiques, the apartment is charmingly decorated.   A few weeks ago, I got an email from a reader who actually rented this apartment after reading about it here.   She and her mother went to Paris – and she was kind enough to send me photos from their trip.

The reader took this picture of the café right near the apartment.

The nearby flower shop she and her mother visited.

A snapshot of the bedroom in the apartment.   Thank you so much for sharing these!!

If you happen to book one of the apartments shown here, please send your photos – I would love to see them.