SPRING CLEANING - A FRENCH WAY!

CHRISTOPHE POURNY - PH: Jason JobsonFrench antique restorer Christophe Pourny has added two new scents to his family of organic furniture care collection.   Cedar and Sandalwood join his bouquet of essential oil infused Tonics of Rosemary, Lavender, and Bergamot.  Pourny says the scented tonics are top sellers, with Lavender CHRISTOPHE POURNY - CEDAR SCENTED FURNITURE TONIC -$16.00leading the bunch (pardon the pun).   Sandalwood and Cedar appeal to musk lovers and those who appreciate the scent of those beautiful woods. Actually, who doesn't love the smell of a cedar closet or of anything Sandalwood! 

Mixed in small batches in his DUMBO-Brooklyn studio, the team has shipped Tonics to every state in the U.S. and across Canada via their popular web-store.   Fine home stores like Mecox Gardens, abc Carpet & Home, Hammertown, & Privet House also carry the line.  A string of segments on the Martha Stewart Show in 2010 (4 in 3 seasons) made PournyCHRISTOPHE POURNY FURNITURE TONIC - ESSENTIAL OIL SCENTED! a household name beyond the cloistered crowd of Park & 5th Avenue that already had his number.  

A recent profile by NYC&G Magazine has his studio buzzing with a few new projects. That's in addition to his usual list of well heeled seasonal cients getting weekend houses ready.  You know those Hampton houses have to be in perfect condition before Memorial Day!  Click around now - these tonics will get you all ready for the guests headed your way this Summer. 

SEPARATED AT BIRTH - BASQUE VS. TOULOUSE

FRENCH LINES PRESS - EPOCA, SAN FRANCISCO The Basque (from Bilboa to Biarritz) and Toulouse (think foie gras & cassoulet) regions are only about 100 miles  from each other in the South West of France.   While relatively close by modern standards, the two areas probably seemed like different worlds just a few hundred years ago.  

I was recently in San Francisco and found a great example of  French woodworking rarely seen in the United States.   I was in the design district to attend a book signing by Susanna Salk.   Susanna is a well known design diva who regularly appears on the Today Show and is a major contributor for www.1stdibs.com.    Susanna's latest book - Weekend Retreats is a wonderful look inside some of the chicest second homes in Connecticut's Litchfield county.

The party was hosted by one of the largest stores in the design district - Epoca.   Known for it's unique collection and impeccable taste, Epoca is a must for anyone who is passionate about home decor.  

One piece that stopped me in my tracks was a French Linen Press in Walnut.   This beautiful example of French woodworking is rarely seen in the United States.   I was immediately reminded of a piece I know from NYC.   While the two look very similar, a closer look reveals there is a major difference.FRENCH LINEN PRESS - CHRISTOPHE POURNY, NYC

The piece at Epoca is from the Basque region, shown by the concentric circles prominently displayed.  The oxblood stain and the twisted carving shows a strong Spanish influence.

The second piece is physically larger, but the real difference  is found in the carving.    Pointe de diamant or Diamond Points is a very typical design found in the Toulouse region.   This piece is part of the private collection of Christophe Pourny.    Both are from the 17th century and fine examples of artisanal detail and would be the focal point of any room they would decorate. 

To see more items in the EPOCA collection, shop the store on their website -  EPOCA , or visit -1stDibs.  

To buy Susanna's book, click Amazon.