Sometimes I just don’t connect the dots…
I have been reading the blog, A Library of Design, for ages now… and had never realised that the author, Janelle McCulloch is responsible for some of my favourite books on Paris… Janelle’s blog is a joy… she writes beautifully, from the heart and covers topics that always interest me… whether it is her travels or her love for interior design… her passion for Paris or her devotion to her family… she is honest, sharp, witty… and her entries are those I never miss.
Janelle is the best one to tell you about herself…
“New blogger (since Nov 2011), design writer, former magazine editor, photographer and author of 18 books, including 15 architecture, interior design, travel and gardening books, a bestselling memoir, a lesser-known memoir and a novel about love. Avid traveller, enthusiastic collector of things (books, vintage maps, black-and-white photographs), lover of libraries, and purveyor of tales. Fond of architecture, design, old houses, French gardens, good manners, whimsy and creativity, classic movies, Manhattan, the Left Bank of Paris and people who take the time to stop and inspire others. Very bad at cooking, gardening, flying Economy Class and speaking French. Lives in a big old house with several libraries alongside her partner and two paper-devouring puppies. “
I asked Janelle how she came to be so enamoured with Paris… what took her there in the first place…
“The story of how I came to fall in love with Paris is rather unusual. I was living in London as a journalist and had fallen in love with the Queen Mother’s equerry (her personal assistant). I’d only just moved to London and so it all felt rather surreal, spending time at Clarence House and hearing about what goes on inside palace walls. Sadly, he was something of a cad, and so we broke up, and that’s when I fled to Paris to mend my broken heart. You know what they say: “Living well is the best revenge”? Well, it worked! I fell in love with Paris instead. And, unlike certain Englishmen, she’s never let me down.”
And then I wanted to know more… what it was about the city that intrigued her… She said,
“It’s funny, I was actually thinking about Paris today. New York is so energising and engaging, and it certainly refuels the spirit every time you step onto Fifth Ave, but there is something magic about Paris, especially in summer, don’t you think? New York lifts the spirits but Paris touches the heart. It’s like comparing your first boyfriend with that crazy rebel you had a fling with at the age of 29, just to remember what it felt like to be young again. New York might be the wildly exciting, Ducati-riding, cashed-up, dirty-minded lover, but Paris is the boy next door that you always remember, even when you’ve settled down and married someone else.”
I think her description of Paris is perfect… and her words are infectious… they make me want to jump on the train this morning and spend the day roaming the streets…
“The thing about Paris is… you can never take it for granted. Every time you think you know everything there is to know about it, it goes and surprises you. For example, on my last trip, to shoot the ‘Paris’ book, I ended up in Montmartre, a place I hadn’t been to since 1986, when I was 16. Walking around the back streets and through a funny little street market where all they seemed to sell were half-dressed mannequins, old vinyl records, vintage wine bottles (full, and empty) and huge cigars (all you need in Paris, really!), I realised how beautiful the area was. I couldn’t understand why I hadn’t been back there? And then I spent HOURS in all the fabric stores, buying French silk taffeta the colour of Marie Antoinette’s rooms at the Petit Trianon for the price of peasant bread! It was the most wonderful morning.”
If you haven’t found A Library of Design… you are in for a treat… Janelle’s gorgeous blog… here
Janelle’s Books For Your Library…
Paris: An Inspiring Tour to the City’s Creative Heart… here (available later this year)
Have a fabulous, fabulous weekend… See you next week… xv
Vicki thank you for the introduction – I know her books so well and am over the moon to now have access to her blog! Love the LV photo – I NEED that luggage! Have a lovely weekend Fx
Oh Wow, I love her description of Paris! I will definitely check out her blog and all of her books. Thanks for sharing. Bon weekend.
Thank you for sharing this, Vicki~ her blog is beautiful! I found another one that I love as well just yesterday. I guess I will never get anything done now for having so many wonderful blogs to read! Hope you are doing well!
Oh Vicki, I am speechless. It’s midnight here and I’ve just come home from watching a beautiful, beautiful new Australian film that made me laugh and cry (The Sapphires), and now I read this, which also touched my heart. What a lovely, lovely night.
Your blog is always a wonderful read. Your writing is superb and your photos are so evocative I want to fly back to Paris every time I read them. But it’s your kindness and generosity of spirit that really sets you apart. Thank you for your support. I know so many people who your blog, but I also know so many people who think the world of you. And no wonder.
Sending you a hug of gratitude from Melbourne.
Janelle McCulloch xx
Thank you for introducing me to her lovely blog. You alway provide the best suggestions!
I lust that luggage myself.
Ok Vicki now you have totally filled my weekend and I’m supposed to be working!!!!!!!xo Maryanne
Vicki, you are so generous of spirit (and I now see that Janelle has written the same sentiment!) not only with your own blog but also introducing us to Janelle’s. Thankyou for putting a smile on my face every day.
Vicki,
I love recommendations for other blog sites. There are so many and some would be impossible to find if not for a recommendation. I’m headed over there, thanks.
Karen
Thank you for the introduction, Vicki. Love meeting new bloggers and authors through you.
Thankyou VIcki for another wonderful post.It was fantastic to be introduced to another great blog. I visited it in the wee hours last night and I loved it. I have just become aware of Janelle’s books recently and love them.
It is still always a thrill to read your blogs.x Trish
Thank you for bringing Janelle to my attention. Her blog is lovely and I’m looking forward to reading more of her work. Her descriptions are fabulous.
Jx
Vicki how right you are! Janelle’s blog is beautiful and I have been following almost from the beginning and would never miss a post! Like you her photography and writing adds an extra fillip to my day!!!
Wonderful blog, books, thank you for the suggestion. Hope all is well in your world of beauty and refined culture.
Thank you Vicki! I love opening your blog each morning to find out where you are taking us for the day. You have truly opened my eyes to so much more of the world, books and films and places I would never have found under my own steam. Thank you. xo
Thank you for string Janelle’s story, Vicki! Can’t wait to visit her books.
Happy Sunday.
Teresa
xoxo
Thank you, this is wonderful and so are you.
Oh Vicki, Janelle is a true delight, in every sense of the word. I’m thrilled you’ve featured her here and truly done her justice. Bravo. J x