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Paris & London: A Design Journey

Part 1: The Textile Treasures of Paris


Rachel Cannon with RCL Interior’s CFO, Brandon Stoute, in a particularly beautiful Parisian doorway
With RCL Interior’s CFO, Brandon Stoute, in a particularly beautiful Parisian doorway

Ah, Paris in January – when the city trades its summer tourists for something far more dangerous: hordes of interior designers armed with coffee cups and collection lookbooks. During Deco Off Market, the city becomes our playground, with showrooms flinging open their doors like it's Christmas morning for design addicts. And there we were, ready to join our fellow fabric-obsessed professionals in what can only be described as Fashion Week for textiles. Grab your swatch kit and comfortable shoes as I take you through our recent adventure in the City of Light and beyond.


Day One: Diving into Design


The market opened with a flourish, and like a moth to a particularly expensive flame, I found myself immediately drawn into the world of extraordinary textures and patterns. At Arte, I discovered wall coverings that made me question everything I knew about the third dimension – their 3-D collections created depths and shadows that practically begged you to reach out and touch them. (Spoiler alert: I did. Multiple times. No regrets.)


Rachel Cannon at Arte, experiencing the textures of 3-D wallcoverings
At Arte, experiencing the textures of 3-D wallcoverings

Manuel Canovas didn't disappoint with their latest offerings. Their high-performance fabrics managed to maintain that luxurious feel while promising durability – a holy grail in our industry. 



Jim Thompson’s showroom boasted saturated green silks - a color we began to notice all over Paris
Jim Thompson’s showroom boasted saturated green silks - a color we began to notice all over Paris

Meanwhile, Jim Thompson's showroom was a feast for the eyes, with color palettes that pushed boundaries while staying grounded in semi-traditional patterns that felt both fresh and timeless.


A particular highlight was The Vale London's new collection. Their prints and performance fabrics were stunning, but what really caught my eye was their venture into rugs with the Cape Looms line. It's always exciting to see a trusted brand expand into new territories with such confidence and style.



Perusing the latest offerings from Phillip Jeffries wallcoverings.
Perusing the latest offerings from Phillip Jeffries wallcoverings. I would meet Phillip and Jeffrey themselves later in the week!

At Phillip Jeffries wall coverings, we sourced a fantastic acoustical wall covering for one of our commercial projects. These innovative surfaces masterfully blend form and function, creating the sumptuous look of upholstered walls while delivering crucial sound absorption properties - exactly the sophisticated solution we were seeking.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​


Beyond the Market


Of course, no day in Paris is complete without indulging in its culinary and architectural delights. L'Audurée's macarons lived up to their legendary status, quite literally melting in my mouth. An unexpected favorite flavor for me (the woman who proclaims that a day without chocolate is a day without sunshine) was the Marie-Antoinette Tea - a combination of black tea from China and India, rose petals, citrus, and honey. 



L’Auderee’s storefront is as delectable as its macaroons
L’Auderee’s storefront is as delectable as its macaroons

A special mention must go to Officine Universelle Buly. Their perfumery experience was nothing short of exquisite, offering personalized gifts that made us feel like royalty from start to finish. If you're looking for a truly special Parisian experience, this should be on your list. Stepping into the shop felt like crossing the threshold into a perfectly preserved piece of 19th-century Paris, where time seems to move at a more gracious pace.The anticipation built during our 45-minute wait outside only heightened the magic that awaited within. As we finally entered, the intricately detailed woodwork, gleaming vitrines, and the heady aroma of exotic perfumes transported us to an era when the art of self-care was elevated to near-mystical heights.



sales associate at L’Auderee
My sales associate had a particularly effortless Parisian elegance to her presence.

Each careful selection of gifts became a ritual unto itself, as we worked with the impeccably trained staff to choose perfect treasures for our loved ones. The subtle whisper of tissue paper, the satisfying weight of glass bottles, and the gentle tap of metal tools used for embossing initials created a symphony of luxury that made every moment feel ceremonial. 



Personalized lip balms for the RCL Interiors team
Personalized lip balms for the RCL Interiors team back at home and for my mom and sister

Buly’s in-house calligrapher, making sure each gift was as exquisitely special as it could be.
Buly’s in-house calligrapher, making sure each gift was as exquisitely special as it could be.

The crown jewel of the experience was watching the house calligrapher transform simple gift tags into works of art, each stroke of his pen imbuing our presents with an extra layer of meaning. In this intimate space, with its apothecary-inspired cabinets and old-world charm, every purchase became more than a transaction – it was a celebration of artisanal craftsmanship and the timeless pleasure of giving something truly special to those we hold dear.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​



Every corner of Paris is a postcard!
Every corner of Paris is a postcard!

Of course, I haven’t even mentioned the experience of just being in Paris yet! As we made our way to these various shops, we couldn’t help but soak in the elegant boulevards, which unfolded like ribbons of architectural splendor. Lined with Haussmann-style buildings that rise in perfect harmony, their cream-colored limestone facades adorned with wrought-iron balconies and mansard roofs are punctuated by the occasional vibrantly-colored and lacquered front door.


These iconic structures, commissioned during Napoleon III's 19th-century renovation of Paris, embody a perfect balance of grandeur and restraint, with their uniform heights and rhythmic patterns of windows creating a visual symphony that extends for miles through the city's arrondissement.



Photographer Jessie Preza, Brandon Dufrene, Rachel Cannon, and RCL’s CFO, Brandon Stoute.
Meet the travel crew (l-r): Photographer Jessie Preza (responsible for many of the beautiful images of our portfolio!), Brandon Dufrene (husband to RCL’s Brandon Stoute; they are affectionately referred to as “The Brandons”), yours truly, and RCL’s CFO, Brandon Stoute.

We concluded Day 1 at Bistrot d'Henri, and I cannot recommend this place enthusiastically enough. It embodied everything you dream of in a Parisian bistro – intimate, authentic, and absolutely delicious. Tucked away on the charming Rue Princesse in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Bistro d'Henri embodies the intimate warmth of a classic Parisian bistro. The snug dining room, with its vintage wooden tables and soft lighting, creates the perfect setting for enjoying traditional French cuisine. Small, family-run establishments like this are where we found the most authentic and memorable dining experiences in Paris. The Saint-Germain neighborhood is indeed known for these kinds of intimate bistros that maintain the timeless traditions of French cooking.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​



“Poulet fermier à la crème aux champignons” - Farm-raised chicken in a mushroom cream sauce
“Poulet fermier à la crème aux champignons” - Farm-raised chicken in a mushroom cream sauce










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