"A Promenade through a Painted Parisian Playland"
As part of a whole house renovation, the lower level of this home was to
become a spacious entertainment area. Providing some basic ideas, the
homeowners wanted us to transform the stark white construction into the
essence of Paris. The project required extensive research which included a
6-day "working vacation" to photograph details of architecture, parks,
marketplaces, people, art and of course... pastry. With an arsenal of 870
shots, we began the task of integrating the many design elements with the
existing structural features. With only paint, out-of -the-can textures,
and the art of illusion, these once flat walls are now a stylistic
recreation of the "City of Lights".
The Park: The main area is entered by either of two staircases, through two
sets of French doors or from two connecting corridors. This presented the
primary challenge: to design the perspective of the visuals to appear as
natural as possible from multiple viewpoints and eye levels. The entire
ceiling is finished with a wispy summer sky which cascades down the walls
and provides a backdrop for a montage of the famous landmarks. The Eiffel
Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur Basilica and an Art Nouveau Metro
Station are set in the colorful landscape. People, pets, and pigeons
populate the park. Details rendered upon the balustrade wall behind an
"actual table" give a feeling of activity. Hints of culinary delights
including an opened bottle of wine, wedge of brie and a fresh baguette await
you. Towering trees spread on to the ceiling adding to the dimensional
effect. Opposite the park are two wine cellars (one real and one fake) and
The Bistro. Various textured wall finishes replicate typical Parisian
facades of concrete , stone, and brick.
The Bistro: In the bar area, we created the aged stucco walls, and finished
the anaglyptic paper ceiling to look like a tin with a smoked patina. The
surfaces capture the spirit of an old French cabaret. Two Tromp L'oeil (fool
the eye) murals visually extend the space. The faux wine cellar entices you
through a half-opened "wrought iron gate". The atmospheric lighting used in
this mural casts a glow onto the barrels of the homeowners' "special
vintage". A glass of sampled wine sits half empty on a shelf. Owner's quote:
"It looks like you can walk right through the wall and pick that up."
Through the rear "window", The Pont Alexandre beckons you to take a stroll
across the Seine.
The Street: The corridor leading to the new addition is painted to recreate
a typical narrow street in the Latin Quarter. Architectural flourishes and
an abundance of greenery adorn the walls. The once white doors were wood
grained and the top panels painted to appear as stained glass windows or
decorative wrought iron. Brightly colored store fronts are nestled within
the faux facades. Featured in the windows are highly detailed murals. Wine,
Doll, Chocolate, Pastry and Book shops were designed with contents that had
specific elements requested by the owners. Product labels, book titles, and
signage required translation into French and were meticulously hand
lettered. The Electrical closet doors were treated to look like old bronze
and glass doors with a marble stairway leading into a hotel lobby...
complete with a fully stocked bar.
With details to enjoy, far too numerous to itemize, a leisurely stroll
through this Parisian playland could take the better part of a dozen
croissants.
