My Modern Darcy

Dear readers, visiting Grasse — a small town in the south of France — may not be the first choice for certain travellers seeking the glamour of the French Riviera; the region offers plenty of more obvious destinations, from the grand hotels of Cannes to the sunlit elegance of Saint-Tropez. Yet for perfume lovers and connoisseurs, Grasse possesses an almost sacred significance. Recognised as an historic centre of French perfumery, Grasse is celebrated for its centuries-old ex

Dear readers, about a year ago, I came across a captivating video about the distinguished French tableware designer, Grande Dame Marie Daâge; that video stayed with me for months, and even now, it continues to fascinate me. What drew me in was not only the beauty of her creations — from dinner plates for every course to delicate cups and saucers for elegant tea service — but also the way her work reflects a deep understanding of home entertaining and interior style. Each pi

Dear readers, over the past few months I have been captivated by several vlogs about Paris’s flea markets, and I kept wondering when I would have the chance to revisit this city I am so fond of and explore these intriguing markets in person. That day finally came when I confirmed my trip to Paris this summer, and I set myself an ambitious list of places to discover this time. On my previous trips, I had already been a regular at the Saint-Ouen flea market thanks to a recomm

Dear readers, Paris is home to more than 100 museums, showcasing not only national treasures such as master paintings, sculptures, objets d’art, fashion, and jewellery, but also the quieter, more specialised forms of craftsmanship that often remain overlooked. For those who have already visited the city’s most familiar museums and are looking for something more distinctive, yet still deeply rooted in Parisian history and artistry, there is another destination worth discoveri

Dear readers, since we were in a bit of an Italian mood, it has reminded me of something I have wanted to write about for a long time. In my previous blog, I explored how a dashing Italian baron was closely tied to his perfume creations. This time, I have been thinking about another stylish Italian gentleman whose work continues to inspire a love of beautiful living: the Florentine interior designer, Michele Bönan. I first came across his work through the interiors he crea

Dear readers, beyond high-fashion glamour, one of Paris's greatest assets is its rich history, particularly its art of living and elegant gastronomy. That was exactly what I experienced on a sunny summer day in 2017, when I planned a delightful Parisian afternoon tea at Café Antonia, inside the historic and prestigious Le Bristol Paris , before continuing to the renowned Parisian tailoring house, Cifonelli, and say “bonjour” to my Parisian friend who worked at the boutique j

Dear readers, as spring approaches, many fashion and interior designers turn to intriguing patterns, drawing inspiration from nature, such as flora and fauna, even folkloric motifs, to create a refreshing, uplifting mood that lightens the deep, wintry palette of the colder months. If you are looking for the same kind of inspiration to refresh your home, or even your wardrobe for this new season, then the new coffee-table book titled “ Kit Kemp: Design Stories ” could be a be

Dear readers, the arrival of Valentine’s season brings to my mind a holiday movie that I watched in Christmas not long ago: “A Biltmore Christmas”. This romantic film tells the story of an accidental time-travel encounter between a young, beautiful screenwriter from the present day, Lucy (played by actress Bethany Joy Lenz), and a dashing, heart‑throb Hollywood actor, Jack (played by actor Kristoffer Polaha), in the mid‑1940s. The movie enchants not only with its story and

Dear readers, speaking of green and beautiful books from my previous blog, I cannot help thinking about another new title that has climbed to the top of my “to-have” list this season, especially if you are looking for Valentine’s Day gift ideas, or for places in Paris where you can shop for a special present. Those of you who have been following my blog will probably know that I have written about the work of Parisian artist, designer, and lifestyle boutique owner, Mr. Marin

Dear readers, as the festive season approaches, indulging in a little self-gifting alongside picking presents for others isn't a bad idea at all, especially at Christmas, when we all deserve a touch of stylish luxury. For those who appreciate sophisticated style and refined fragrances and prefer to steer clear of mainstream, oversaturated, or overly commercial brands, today's blog might be right up your alley! About a year ago, I came across THoO ( The House of Oud ), an I