Design is all in the details

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipG4JUU4kHzlDrEetP5YqTV6a2PuhsI5Vuk5QV7DR-hD4nkB42uWxIpaiesdyDm8pob4Xek3WaWYC7ZdxuElh4ixwXry2Nfb1PN5MXjTAupO_6prv7lyt6c4YqCOP-RYi-HqBuJg_JJmY/s1600/victorian+rowhouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipG4JUU4kHzlDrEetP5YqTV6a2PuhsI5Vuk5QV7DR-hD4nkB42uWxIpaiesdyDm8pob4Xek3WaWYC7ZdxuElh4ixwXry2Nfb1PN5MXjTAupO_6prv7lyt6c4YqCOP-RYi-HqBuJg_JJmY/s1600/victorian+rowhouse.JPG" width="288" /></a></div>As Mies van der Rohe was fond of saying, '<i>God is in the detail</i>'; a quote often attributed to him but in fact  much older. Details have been on my mind lately as I'm currently reading Phillip James Dodd's book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1864702036/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=1864702036&link_code=as3&tag=archite0d-20">"The Art of Classical Details"</a> which I would whole-heartedly recommend to all of you.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBtBSGc6MX-g0KKj_nh4JNAPM5xSs8Qk_XyoPh68Fo8fMYs0fc84-pRbEgP9-F3h1eEwSiDVagj5dRCb6J9fnJQsPxyPdkOMlLC1igOo6gDgeBftGJXOhK0ixXCSR81RBZDaueKsdKZ4/s1600/classical+details.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBtBSGc6MX-g0KKj_nh4JNAPM5xSs8Qk_XyoPh68Fo8fMYs0fc84-pRbEgP9-F3h1eEwSiDVagj5dRCb6J9fnJQsPxyPdkOMlLC1igOo6gDgeBftGJXOhK0ixXCSR81RBZDaueKsdKZ4/s1600/classical+details.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>While walking around the city the other day I was looking at some of the quieter buildings that normally would be under my radar and noticed that some of them had ravishing details. This brick townhouse below is almost a<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0806974524/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=0806974524&link_code=as3&tag=archite0d-20"> pattern book </a>for a Victorian brick maker. All of that detail is of brick -such unusual shapes!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUSSBzkluwrg2qBiGT-7ogQR53M-Sfz6ITfQFJHKMdeIIE_zTti6Ley0j0Wb2v_HPBRy3Y6MYm1XPc2l5UvuIXabJTt8BkcKKQ1znaO8G-kBqvtuV_2THDVZBIkPC44UCyE3qgCzl0hs/s1600/brick+townhouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUSSBzkluwrg2qBiGT-7ogQR53M-Sfz6ITfQFJHKMdeIIE_zTti6Ley0j0Wb2v_HPBRy3Y6MYm1XPc2l5UvuIXabJTt8BkcKKQ1znaO8G-kBqvtuV_2THDVZBIkPC44UCyE3qgCzl0hs/s1600/brick+townhouse.JPG" width="282" /></a></div>This iron railing seen below had amazing curvaceous brackets -simple but lovely. On buildings such as a standard row-house these details make all the difference and have stood the test of time. Have you seen anything that has caught your eye lately? What did we do before camera phones to capture our visual world?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtGm7_fFRXT9G6wiJO3vGzcsfeBcihwF-tRNnwbtRsTeYUfc3BjB1ZWcb3LG_ivGIuLKfXSQKYqnexUrpR0YRQXoMHtHjuknh1rBhmKgmsdwWArqCAIIpf4deJmR6v4mduDow9IKSD2A/s1600/iron+bracket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtGm7_fFRXT9G6wiJO3vGzcsfeBcihwF-tRNnwbtRsTeYUfc3BjB1ZWcb3LG_ivGIuLKfXSQKYqnexUrpR0YRQXoMHtHjuknh1rBhmKgmsdwWArqCAIIpf4deJmR6v4mduDow9IKSD2A/s1600/iron+bracket.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>

Design is all in the details

As Mies van der Rohe was fond of saying, ' God is in the detail '; a quote often attributed to him but in fact  much older. Details ...

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Merry Christmas!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tKNnYDCklFFUAhpxJ5u51OxKrxULq5FwOuasToJ1pVuGzzUoieBJ3DpH7SN0MLFfS6H6b3NVw3_6e4K1zg43L3RWP0weJrIzQvssiQojuj89oKTNClz4OXkBcVUMfTeebnKFFN2KeWU/s1600/lamppost+with+wreath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tKNnYDCklFFUAhpxJ5u51OxKrxULq5FwOuasToJ1pVuGzzUoieBJ3DpH7SN0MLFfS6H6b3NVw3_6e4K1zg43L3RWP0weJrIzQvssiQojuj89oKTNClz4OXkBcVUMfTeebnKFFN2KeWU/s400/lamppost+with+wreath.JPG" width="292" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"May Peace and Plenty be the first to lift the latch on your door, and may happiness be guided to your home by the candle of Christmas"</i> </div><div style="text-align: left;">From ArchitectDesign to you, may you have a very Merry Christmas! <i>Stefan</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGvIIyg2XZUc9fe3qEJtd3-gkK1cT1S6ao9xg_8ZJXwPOZyBJvgUBdjNHCgSjKmZP_GMmgyFwPqvE2WYBSmCrcnFCW4Ejp5zsRHVMI375mJVollcjXBjx-1gvcn8HFX2N1y9JlGahyphenhyphen4I/s1600/poinsettia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGvIIyg2XZUc9fe3qEJtd3-gkK1cT1S6ao9xg_8ZJXwPOZyBJvgUBdjNHCgSjKmZP_GMmgyFwPqvE2WYBSmCrcnFCW4Ejp5zsRHVMI375mJVollcjXBjx-1gvcn8HFX2N1y9JlGahyphenhyphen4I/s400/poinsettia.JPG" width="296" /></a></div><br />

Merry Christmas!

"May Peace and Plenty be the first to lift the latch on your door, and may happiness be guided to your home by the candle of Christmas...

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Paris vacation - day 6

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeMr_tckoPZotIYIUpPBKAy5jZ9wJoyPpXt28cTC22ktk4Jz_JiWfvKAMEIF3kT7dvdI-AJc8G1VmiK8AOLsM5oHPFtfKRArBGrnSX0CiokPVYRir6yMY8ppYw8iIp227C9LzUnGTNOr1/s1600/Concierge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeMr_tckoPZotIYIUpPBKAy5jZ9wJoyPpXt28cTC22ktk4Jz_JiWfvKAMEIF3kT7dvdI-AJc8G1VmiK8AOLsM5oHPFtfKRArBGrnSX0CiokPVYRir6yMY8ppYw8iIp227C9LzUnGTNOr1/s400/Concierge.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As you can probably tell we've done a lot in just a few days! So day 6 was kept intentionally slow. We decided to stay close to home and at the recommendation of a couple we met at dinner one evening checked out the Conciergerie.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeuMXV0heNAIeK9L9SABqh53mX1OVZNAZ077kz-g6COespGmt5GCD4weeRYz6ARFZcf2-IHtHQ_9jhq_OwQ53LaJL5I4fVaC9sGWE73N0PSt1npCt8Vb2WgFS-GcYzxoQPakP1s81wFr0/s1600/Conceirge+fireplace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeuMXV0heNAIeK9L9SABqh53mX1OVZNAZ077kz-g6COespGmt5GCD4weeRYz6ARFZcf2-IHtHQ_9jhq_OwQ53LaJL5I4fVaC9sGWE73N0PSt1npCt8Vb2WgFS-GcYzxoQPakP1s81wFr0/s400/Conceirge+fireplace.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> An odd museum, it encompasses the prisons used notoriously during the revolution. The history of the building goes much further back however as it was part of the old Capetian palace from the 15th century. Here you can see a recreation of Marie Antoinette's cell as well as a memorial to her and Louis XVI. I have to be honest and recommend that you skip this museum; so many other greater things to see in Paris!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHDmEVSaDYd7ZM2UeosU7wVjkeX3OoaxMrfk8Keu_NBtFpMJBLxnKM3DW9q7N1-wl3PR53zTnBD1b6YzI5DribojT1tt6nNJiORfkLINY8_2ZcK8nfa6cpMMFuo9-URbZ144WywBSJQpu/s1600/St+Chapelle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHDmEVSaDYd7ZM2UeosU7wVjkeX3OoaxMrfk8Keu_NBtFpMJBLxnKM3DW9q7N1-wl3PR53zTnBD1b6YzI5DribojT1tt6nNJiORfkLINY8_2ZcK8nfa6cpMMFuo9-URbZ144WywBSJQpu/s400/St+Chapelle.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>The bonus to visiting the Conciergerie however was buying tickets to the adjacent St Chapelle and avoiding the horrendous lines!  I had never visited the 13th century chapel before and can literally say it took my breathe away (and not just the tiny circular stair which takes you up to the main Upper Chapel). If you can visit SOON as the restoration of the windows is nearly complete and it is so interesting to contrast the restored windows versus the unrestored.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKr4SCMqHot3PRXYqTlnvPXuF8V_szyiKNDe64q28f9G7nrmEhxM_b-RnVU0pBQpBe_E4UC9BwXHxJs97Gd4wbReBzlnMTs6I7mxwMIVKttE-pZzsKD_MrpuX_OoGjN0S1-hQ1kSsZFYi/s1600/St+Chapelle+detail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKr4SCMqHot3PRXYqTlnvPXuF8V_szyiKNDe64q28f9G7nrmEhxM_b-RnVU0pBQpBe_E4UC9BwXHxJs97Gd4wbReBzlnMTs6I7mxwMIVKttE-pZzsKD_MrpuX_OoGjN0S1-hQ1kSsZFYi/s400/St+Chapelle+detail.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have to say some of the worst behavior I've ever seen at a tourist attraction was exhibited here from people of all nationalities and ages.  People were touching the painted surfaces everywhere (despite constant warnings not to and numerous signs) as well as being incredibly loud and disrespectful even though silent signs were everywhere and guides where shushing us like kindergarden children. Really a disappointing environment to have in such splendor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlb0HDHP9d1U16AyjQIz-Wp2mvlZkDGZlpbOtiOUKMmOIDsoC0U3UEW4bdG37PQqJli7jzWJfHgVEKT5DzBb87cVSj14cRcaSV7Lj-4yWzU0NqhxYi0ohvZgK6U8L2gp3EQfNTyvlvfuH/s1600/Notre+Dame+by+night.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlb0HDHP9d1U16AyjQIz-Wp2mvlZkDGZlpbOtiOUKMmOIDsoC0U3UEW4bdG37PQqJli7jzWJfHgVEKT5DzBb87cVSj14cRcaSV7Lj-4yWzU0NqhxYi0ohvZgK6U8L2gp3EQfNTyvlvfuH/s400/Notre+Dame+by+night.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>The weather has been damp with daily rainfall but even the flooded Seine is a sight to behold in the evening.

Paris vacation - day 6

As you can probably tell we've done a lot in just a few days! So day 6 was kept intentionally slow. We decided to stay close to home and...

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Paris vacation - day 4

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosRsBPA3FO_z2kLxHP7jWTCN9Wm68EQ3NTsyo1bxflM20OgPbDPSec1bw441KG3hC6TieL9CWjHsX7d5gDFlaalBAkFt3Zzk6Kqw0_NNViWeqzyJJpxtsjrieHMCpnbyVmJhnmf29lk-Q/s1600/bastille+remains.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosRsBPA3FO_z2kLxHP7jWTCN9Wm68EQ3NTsyo1bxflM20OgPbDPSec1bw441KG3hC6TieL9CWjHsX7d5gDFlaalBAkFt3Zzk6Kqw0_NNViWeqzyJJpxtsjrieHMCpnbyVmJhnmf29lk-Q/s400/bastille+remains.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>After the excitement of <a href="http://www.architectdesign.blogspot.fr/2013/05/paris-vacation-day-3.html">day 3</a>, Day 4 was spent a little slower and more organic.  After sleeping in we wandered over to the Place de la Bastille for the antique brocante market.  Above you see the last remains of the dreaded Bastille.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0VcukdpQgKJ9MCkcLaILW7pAgXVehERCAvNGdfv_EUK4cdkVUpVV5Pc6oSZ1GMnvbWnIuqdTZqSf3SzZgVI9Nvy_kg0p6XqWGhxaYPTiLiuFSvlQeDMY6b7TA_Rx6HdVx2cogsHTAGUP/s1600/antiques+brocante.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0VcukdpQgKJ9MCkcLaILW7pAgXVehERCAvNGdfv_EUK4cdkVUpVV5Pc6oSZ1GMnvbWnIuqdTZqSf3SzZgVI9Nvy_kg0p6XqWGhxaYPTiLiuFSvlQeDMY6b7TA_Rx6HdVx2cogsHTAGUP/s400/antiques+brocante.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The brocante market is a moving event throughout the city where antique vendors come from around the world to display their wares. It was the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon. Expect to pay about 10 euro for entrance.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHXyF6wPQF7GKYqnl0k3pp7ESZcKHYGU3PZFCacxvnSO_qkYRe0AedgWlI9Pboawr7Ad7f6TqILgu2ZMPXRVx3xlQVXMd6Q073FOtWS4fDb1zZJ_Sci63X1ERatO68U3Q3N3iMle1YNxq/s1600/place+de+vosges+lunch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKHXyF6wPQF7GKYqnl0k3pp7ESZcKHYGU3PZFCacxvnSO_qkYRe0AedgWlI9Pboawr7Ad7f6TqILgu2ZMPXRVx3xlQVXMd6Q073FOtWS4fDb1zZJ_Sci63X1ERatO68U3Q3N3iMle1YNxq/s400/place+de+vosges+lunch.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> A late lunch in a cafe on the Place des Vosges was a great way to relax and people watch.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kkcd0N9jM7BoDobus2LllZ8umf4Jy4b-agqxElQP41Akt7y47eJ0IeTc3dZjW-8KZAL5CzaC_CNdEheGwjAp9sOzpX3rYLp4PGbV_JcT5HCZzV_GFC17jF9LCCXsw75l_fhJIYMIjVUu/s1600/place+de+vosges.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kkcd0N9jM7BoDobus2LllZ8umf4Jy4b-agqxElQP41Akt7y47eJ0IeTc3dZjW-8KZAL5CzaC_CNdEheGwjAp9sOzpX3rYLp4PGbV_JcT5HCZzV_GFC17jF9LCCXsw75l_fhJIYMIjVUu/s400/place+de+vosges.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> The Place des Vosges is one of the most beautiful spots in the city. While the townhouses surrounding the square are all very similar, each is slightly different proving you dont' have to have perfect symmetry to have balance.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWv19zVoqH3HPY2EFLFYGPZG_vB9OOsIPx2nvXspEhBs6c-y6p39KQTCu0BLAkrZldYDQ8_RaGVKwR55yfoIACNzYo1Fz3DRDeUhJvoOnCROUoQYcEEaIEqfnQyaK-wOy9Cu9p-cY9DniT/s1600/Marais.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWv19zVoqH3HPY2EFLFYGPZG_vB9OOsIPx2nvXspEhBs6c-y6p39KQTCu0BLAkrZldYDQ8_RaGVKwR55yfoIACNzYo1Fz3DRDeUhJvoOnCROUoQYcEEaIEqfnQyaK-wOy9Cu9p-cY9DniT/s400/Marais.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Wandering around the Marais is full of surprises. The oldest existing part of the city you never know what you'll stumble upon. Ancient buildings are filled with new and inspiring art and clothing galleries mingled with the cities most fascinating museums located in stunning hotel particuleurs.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCo8I0TBeGHJO6hc0E1wtwDpIUktHS9pPCJEK86DJvZcyb4EJjrj8ZV0z2jDtWNlFPLRaPPUdUji8GwxLSuy8E1sFe4vn_txmSqgvAowfyKym3Or0TWG8AiszAEMufB_b5iPQNk1W8Bpc/s1600/st+paul+st+louis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCo8I0TBeGHJO6hc0E1wtwDpIUktHS9pPCJEK86DJvZcyb4EJjrj8ZV0z2jDtWNlFPLRaPPUdUji8GwxLSuy8E1sFe4vn_txmSqgvAowfyKym3Or0TWG8AiszAEMufB_b5iPQNk1W8Bpc/s400/st+paul+st+louis.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Make sure to stop into the church of St Paul St Louis to see the stunning Delacroix paintings in the side chapels.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3cqnAV4K3xN-wom_494AE2BuwdnCxQuC-SFU5w_SGixEsnt8zi289YblICCPZb7gbSTihA1kP8dI5uR1QCB6wyfkRNfLn3UsytaLfKvkCbogYLOXlVhwxtfGoDwTbf0fpIr7a93KDhV5/s1600/paris+sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3cqnAV4K3xN-wom_494AE2BuwdnCxQuC-SFU5w_SGixEsnt8zi289YblICCPZb7gbSTihA1kP8dI5uR1QCB6wyfkRNfLn3UsytaLfKvkCbogYLOXlVhwxtfGoDwTbf0fpIr7a93KDhV5/s400/paris+sunset.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Even after a gloomy, rainy day, Paris will surprise you with a fantastic evening and an even more spectacular sunset!

Paris vacation - day 4

After the excitement of day 3 , Day 4 was spent a little slower and more organic.  After sleeping in we wandered over to the Place de la Bas...

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