The French capital is a tried and trusted destination for meetings and events – but it is still able to surprise. John Keenan reports

Paris MICE hotels and services

Browse MICE and corporate hotels in Paris on the Great Hotels of the World website – including detailed meeting information, photos, reviews and more. 

next event please visit the Great Hotels of the World MICE page.

For more information on MICE events in Paris contact Corine Bernadou:  Tel: +33 (0) 1 49 52 53 96 / cbernadou@parisinfo.com

You must start with the Seine. The river is the reason the city exists and to this day provides a vital artery to commercial life in the French capital. The touristic Bateaux-Mouches are a familiar sight on the waterway, as inevitable as umbrellas in April, but ship-owner Didier Spade has taken a hackneyed concept and given it a postmodern twist. His Clipper Paris is decked out with sofas, banquettes and armchairs and looks more like a determinedly trendy club than a boring boat. The main and sun decks are 200 sqm each and can comfortably accommodate 100 people for a cocktail reception and 150 people for a seated dinner.

It is an example of how suppliers in Paris are bending traditional formats into decidedly up-to-date forms. Over two freezing days earlier this year, in the tutelary company of Helene Hubert from the Paris Convention Bureau, I was introduced to an array of refurbished, remodeled and restored venues which demonstrated that the French capital is capable of surprising the most proficient Paris planner. 

At Cite de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, opposite the Trocadero, Zoe Macedo, head of events, threaded us expertly through examples of French architecture from the 12th century to the modern age, explaining how the 12 reception rooms and auditorium can be put to use by events and conference organisers. The largest area, the Galerie des Moulages at 3,420 sqm, is more appropriate for a reception rather than anything formal. The Cathédrale area is more manageable at 380 sq m, while the 250 sq m auditorium is a thoroughly contemporary meeting space with all the bells and whistles one would demand.

Across the road on Avenue George Mandel, 6 Mandel is a gorgeous 19th century Parisian townhouse adapted to the needs of the 21st century events planner. The rooms comprise 95 sqm of events space plus a 130 sq m garden within sight and shadow of the Eiffel Tower. I used my imagination and pictured a perfect soiree on a warm’s summer’s eve. The house at 6 Mandel once belonged to Jacques Homberg, Christian Dior’s close companion, and one can imagine the pair shopping for presents at Café Fauchon near the Madeleine. The shop pays homage to all things tasty, tempting and ever-so-slightly transgressive from coffee, condiments and spices to biscuits, patisseries and macaroons… you can practically feel your blood sugar levels heading upwards as you navigate the immaculate aisles. Upstairs a separate terrace is available for meetings of up to 250 people.

Following our visit, Hubert and I worked off the calories with a spirited stroll from the Place de la Madeleine across the Boulevard Haussmann to Rue La Fayette, to see a 120 sqm blank canvass in the heart of the city. Whether L’Appart Lafayette looks elegant, funky or formal is completely down the taste and imagination of the client. Well-suited for product launches and press conferences, this is not the place to bring your dancing shoes – the floor won’t take it. But dancing, playing air-guitar and just about any other form of adolescent exhibitionism is positively encouraged at the ‘rock ‘n’ luxe’ Murano in the Marais area. This is not a hotel, please note: it is an ‘urban resort.’ Meeting rooms are not the top item on the agenda at this property, and if you are the kind of client who balks at the idea of presenting your pitch in a bar-lounge to the accompaniment of a track last heard in Ibiza in the late 90s, then the Murano is not for you. You don’t have to be groovy to stay here, but it probably helps.

Another hip and happening meeting space can be found in the distinctly edgy north-east tip of the city. The Centquatre, a former funeral parlour, is a huge light-filled event space and home to the largest collection of in-house artists in Europe. My visit coincided with a residency by British trip-hop big-wig Tricky and equally as impressive is the 39,000 square metre function space. The publicity material includes much worthy comment about the ‘production of living thought’, but of more practical use are the studios, showrooms and workshops which provide modern meeting and events facilities.

If the artistic innovation at Centquatre is your thing, chances are you will also feel at home in the eccentric environment of the Mama Shelter hotel, close to the Pere Lachaise Cemetery. This property has literally got quirky designer Philippe Starck written all over it – from the ‘provocative’ graffiti in the lift to the comic-book masks and i-Macs in the rooms. Owner Serge Trigano promised me that traditional service values at the 172-room hotel have not been chucked away with the more conventional trappings of comfortable furniture and discreet decorations.

Back on more conventional ground, both literally and figuratively, the Académie Diplomatique Internationale (ADI) on Avenue Hoche, near the Arc de Triomphe and Parc Monceau, is a prestigious location, comprising five separate meeting rooms which can be privatised for up to a total 350 guests. But be warned: you must give plenty of notice as the building normally hosts diplomatic events but can be hired for a few days every month for meetings and special events.

If the accent at the ADI is on the formal, the ambiance at the Païva Restaurant at the foot of the Champs-Élysées is decidedly unceremonious. The former townhouse of a 20th-century courtesan, renovated by renowned interior decorator Jacques Garcia, is a riot of purple and red furnishings – check out the stars on the ceiling. It’s one more instance of how established venues in the French capital are discovering a contemporary twist.

Rooms for improvement

Nestled on the rue de Berri, just off the Champs-Elysees, the Hotel California has no connection with the famous Eagles tune. In fact, the atmosphere is far more Parisian chic than West Coast cool. The 18-room (plus 16 suites) property has nine meeting rooms ranging from the Pasedena 1, which at 25 sqm can hold up to 20 people to the San Francisco II, which has 120 sqm and can accommodate up to 200 people. As sales manager Sylvia Pietsch points out, the property was refurbished in 2004 preserving the comfortable ambience of the old property while installing the thoroughly modern gadgetry that today’s planners insist upon.

Contemporary equipment and spanking new rooms are the dominant themes at the Meridien Etoile. An established player in the Paris meetings market, and now part of the Starwood organisation, the hotel has added two new rooms to its meetings roster: offering 661 and 484 sqm the combined spaces can accommodate up to 1,200 people. The overall meetings offer comprises 25 conference rooms with more than 2,500 sqm of space. Bang opposite the Palais des Congrès, the hotel has 1,025 rooms – chic, it may be; boutique it definitely is not. At the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, all is luxe, calme et volupté. It’s easy to be overawed by the magnificent public areas, festooned with fine art and gorgeous furnishings, but the gracious staff (epitomised during my visit by marketing communications manager Coralie Malazdra) mix a pleasing lack of formality with a practiced professionalism which puts you entirely at ease. The meeting rooms are similarly appealing – 12 all told, from 31 sqm to the beautiful 162 sqm ballroom.

And if you can tear yourself away from the hotel, the best shops in Paris are temptingly on the doorstep – as is the charming Hotel Lotti, tucked discreetly along Rue Castiglione. The property was the brainchild of the Duke of Westminster and the eponymous M. Lotti, one time maitre d’ at the Continental Hotel. Opened in 1910, it retains its old-school atmosphere. Five years ago, the hotel opened a new wing which added 44 bedrooms along with brand new conference facilities. Today the Lotti has eight meeting rooms which can hold up to 100 people. The restaurant – a tasty slice of Italy in the heart of Paris – is also available for group hire.

For my money, the most beautiful hotel ballroom in Paris is located within the InterContinental Paris Le Grand on Rue Scribe. It is one of 21 (count them) meeting rooms ranging from the smallest which can host 10 people for a banquet to the ballroom itself which can hold 600. The hotel is a Parisian landmark – it opened amid much excitement in 1862 and remains a byword for sumptuous events. The Café de la Paix is renowned in its own right.

The Crown Plaza on the Champs-Elysees can’t boast such an illustrious history but what it lacks in heritage it makes up for quirky ambience. This is not your standard Crown Plaza – designed by Bruno Borrione (who, almost inevitably, was a student of Philippe Starck) the property is an eclectic mix of natural timbers and modern furnishings. The 300 sqm meeting room can hold up to 260 people.

Last and far from least, the Westin Paris, overlooking the Tuileries gardens, is a gorgeous grand dame of a property. Rivaling the InterContinental for jaw-dropping opulence, this is an unashamedly upmarket place. The meeting rooms – festooned with frescos in the style of the second empire (that’s 1850-1870 for those whose French history is a little rusty) – the total of 1,982 sqm can hold up to 1,000 people. The Salons Castiglione, Feuillants, Mont-Thabor, Rivoli, and Saint-Honoré provide a variety of configurations for events while the Salons Tuileries and Vendome are best suited for lunch or dinners. The flamboyant is 19th-century Salon Impérial is ablaze with gilt chandeliers, red drapes and carpets while the Salon Concorde is a splendid grand ballroom. Style never goes out of fashion.

Feeding creativity

 

Any self respecting event planner has a couple of Paris-based caterers in the address book. If Butard Enescot is not one of them you really ought to do something about it. During a deeply impressive lunch, featuring (among other things) crispy scallops, crayfish mille feuille, lobster marinated in rum and a bitter chocolate truffle, Laetitia Gey outlined the company’s commitment to make each reception ‘a singular moment’. Fine words, but the genuine passion for superlative cuisine was evident in each memorable mouthful. Not exactly a new kid on the block – Butard Enescot was formed in 1997- the company is nevertheless challenging established caterers in the city with dynamism, know-how and supreme skill.

We dined at the beautiful Pavillon Royal in the Bois de Boulogne, and then took a post-prandial stroll to another magnificent events venue, the Pre Catalan. Long a favourite of aristocracy, politicians and high society, the venue is a fabulous choice even if fine dining is not on the menu – it offers 13 elegant rooms ranging from 32 sqm to 800 sqm, and can host from 20 to 1,400 guests for a reception.

In contrast to the formalism of the Pavillon Royal, the Boeuf sur le Toit is an unceremonious Art Deco gem in the heart of the city. Le Boeuf wears it brasserie heart on its sleeve and the tables crowded with local families are testament to its enduring appeal. The diners at the Chiberta are also local but likely to be more recognizable to anyone who keeps an eye on the French press. The restaurant’s Michelin-starred cuisine and seemingly bottomless wine list make it a favourite with the powerbrokers, media savvy, famous – and would-be famous.

 

A more traditional mainstay of typically French high cuisine, the Lassere is as French as foie gras – and how you react to that idea will tell you whether this establishment will strike you as inspired or insufferable – I plump for the former, won over by the polite and informative staff and the unexpected eccentricity of the sliding roof.

On my final evening in the capital Helene Hubert and I dined at La Grande Cascade on the Allee de Longchamp, once more in the Bois de Bologne. A Belle Epoque beauty, the restaurant has a number of private rooms which can be taken over exclusively for groups. We toured the rooms after a lengthy and very Gallic dinner involving game, truffles, and, bien sur, foie ras de canard poivre et sel. Paris has many different faces, but some things never change.

Case study

Toward the end of last year, Paris-based Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) was asked to produce an exceptional event for 80 of the best clients of a well-known financial institution. It was to be an all-inclusive tailormade event; assistance would be provided to each attendee; and the on-site co-ordination would take place in a sophisticated venue renowned for its cuisine.

CWT was charged with end-to-end event management, comprising venue sourcing, delegate welcome, on-site assistance, and around-the-clock service.

The chosen venue was Pavillon Ledoyen.  The Pavillon was built in 1791 by Pierre-Michel Doyen, scion child of a famous catering family. It was redesigned in 1842 and is located amid chestnut trees, beside a manicured lawn and peaceful fountains, within a graceful neo-classical facade.

CWT account director at CWT Meetings & Events in France, Christophe Colvin says: “Our objectives were to create a wonderful experience for these important clients and to introduce new products. The event had to be original and high-end. The delegates were French employees of a large US-headquartered company. For the French people, food is very important – and our presentation reflected this. The delegates were treated like stars; good food, good wine, good conversation.

“The budget was dedicated totally to the event – it was not spent on travel or accommodation. By focusing on the clients exact needs we were able to create a memorable event. For me the twin pillars of a successful event are re-invention and creativity.”

A brief word

We asked a leading Paris-based destination management company to respond to a hypothetical brief:  a pan-European company needs to retain staff and strengthen its upscale brand image internally. The programme comprises a two-day conference including break-out sessions, a keynote address by the CEO and a gala dinner on the final evening.

Michele Hensley, Allied France

The arrival and departure transfers can be arranged via different types of vehicles, from de luxe motor coach, van or private car to motorbike transfer. A two-day conference can be enhanced with activities during the morning and afternoon coffee breaks such as distribution of baby trees, massages, caricaturists, cooking activities or a Paris quiz. The activities will be selected according to the demographic of attendees. For the farewell evening dinner, depending on attendees demographic and budget we suggest one of the following: themed dinner in one of the Paris’ pavilions, or a dinner cruise with entertainment to allow the participants to discover the City while dining, or a fun and interactive dinner in the Funfair Museum or lastly the best in terms of classical dinner an evening in the Palace of Versailles, starting with the visit of the state apartments on a private basis for the participants, followed by a dinner in the gallery of battles along with music and period entertainment and costumes.

Vital indicators: Paris

Value for money – 3

Paris ranks with London and New York as a world-class capital – with world-class prices. You don’t have to have a behemoth budget to get the best out of the city – but it certainly wouldn’t hurt.

Infrastructure – 4

The French capital has been drawing crowds ever since Napoleon Bonaparte launched his first European tour. It knows how to cope with groups of all scale and size.

The X-factor -4

Some clients might claim to have seen it, done it and bought the Eiffel Tower t-shirt – but Paris has ways of reinventing itself which should not tax the imagination of the enthusiastic organiser.

Access – 4

Charles de Gaulle is the busiest airport in Europe bar Heathrow – with all that implies. Not the most centrally located hub, which means transfers demand plenty of aforethought. Brits-based in southern England have the option of the Eurostar – a convenient and speedy, if not cheap, alternative.

Luxury Investment – 3

It’s been two year since the Marriott Rive Gauche shook things up with its 60s-style revival. The five-star hotel sector has been pretty quiet since then.

Conclusion

Paris regularly tops the short-haul league tables for most European event planners. It remains well-placed to capitalise on its strengths when its neighbours, and its own, economic fortunes are revived.

Italy is a leader in fashion and design, second only to France and the Parisian shopping district that is the fashion capital of the world. When trends are set and forwarded to New York, they come from one of these two locations. That includes not only clothing but home and furniture designs as well. In order to be hip and in the know, it’s important for designers in the United States to make pilgrimages abroad and see what the latest and greatest offerings are across the Atlantic. In terms of bedroom furniture, Italy has turned to the simplistic use of platform beds, which are modern and basic, with sleek lines and sharp angles.

In today’s society, people change their minds frequently and want instant gratification. That’s true the world over, even in places like Italy where the lifestyle is a little slower paced and less rushed. That means that, if someone wants their furniture to last through the changes in trends and personal style, it is essential for the pieces to be as generic as possible. Contemporary beds designed out of Italy are being manufactured this way specifically for such a purpose. Of course, because the furniture is meant to last through numerous redecorations and for many years ahead, the beds produced here are of the highest quality. At the same time, Italians are frugal and won’t spend more than necessary, looking for the best value for their buck.

Of course, in Italy just as in many European nations, the apartments or “flats” as they are called are much smaller than what people are used to in the United States, so furniture has to accommodate the space available. This leads to combination pieces like bookcase headboards, which offer a place to store books and other important items that need to be accessible while not taking up extra space. It will also grace the head of the bed with style that reflects personal taste and a sense of self through the items that are chosen for display.

The trundle day bed is especially popular when it comes to roommates sharing one of these small flats, most of which are no bigger than the living rooms in a typical American home. This allows for seating on the sofa bed portion during the day, which is transformed into a bed at night, as well as a second bed that can be put away during the day to clear up more floor space.

Even in larger houses, rooms are not as spacious as those in North America, so king sized furniture is not the best option. Instead, Italians are more likely to purchase queen wood beds, choosing wood because of its durability and stylistic appeal. And, in order to provide a very basic canvas upon which to build a new design or theme, many Italians will take advantage of the plainness of platform beds. This creates the opportunity to quickly wipe the slate clean and start anew without spending a fortune on new furniture with each whim.

Not just in clothing, also furniture can now start new trend. Designers challenge themselves to invent and create modern shapes furniture, very imaginative but also more ergonomic and comfortable.

But how does the dining room change, under the pressure of these new trends? How do change tastes and used materials? Up to some years ago, furniture quality was strictly linked to the wood it was made of and to the quality of wood, so for example quality depended on wood thickness or the manual ability of who created the object. Today things are changing; new concepts and new materials have been created, to satisfy new tastes of new generations. A new way to live the house has come, the minimalism floods and wraps everything with its rigor. But wooden furniture still represents elegance and style, it always remains a timeless classic, essential to decorate with style and elegance.

Moreover it is not sure that technological innovation can not go hand in hand with traditional craftsmanship. Manufacture processes applied to the production, in the medium/high-end companies, still inspire and fulfill craft criteria.

This ensures the care and the choice of used materials in the manufacturer processes, these materials are always carefully checked out by specialized personnel. In terms of design, the elegant furniture has always been one of the primary goal of Made in Italy production: in its products, the usual sober and modern style perfectly integrate with the full functionality and the utmost constructive care, and this to ensure that all products are always adapted to demanding users, but also sensitive to novelties, refinement and comfort. Clean and essential lines, first choice materials, great productive care and studied combination. Classical furniture, but modern lines and materials are the answer to comfort, elegance and glamour needs.

But the trends in this area are now numerous, some people prefer comfort and ergonomic above all, and some others would rather give up a little bit of comfort to focus instead on the beauty and harmony of forms. Furniture and furnishing then renew themselves, with the most innovative creations of different designers, with different and spectacular shapes and colors.

Thanks to an always evolving technology and a constant research on use and processes of this material, the versatility of aluminum is exploited, not only to realize the soul of an object but to transform it into a product, enhanced by a design that takes advantage of practicality and charm. If the most actual trend in the interior design is the fusion style, in tune with the polymorphous diversity of tastes and cultures that characterizes contemporary life; some companies have fully grasped the potential, doing of an eclectic mix of aesthetics and cultural references its formal recognition. Revive past styles again in a new light, which enhances the preciousness, but at the same time undermining from within the authority through a sort of “camouflage” made of bright colors, unusual materials, and new finishes. This is their main aim.

These were some of the latest news, now to decorate our home solutions are varied and flexible, but above all, all very beautiful, it only remains to decide which your style is!

This article was written by Martina Meneghetti, with support from rustic furniture . For any information please visit home study furniture , please visit luxury bedroom furniture .

Bedroom furniture all the way from Italy

Italy is renowned for its beauty and eye for fashion, whether it’s from the rustic countryside full of charm and personality or from the modern and innovative cities; Italian bedroom furniture is very unique and will transform any bedroom into a gorgeous, comfy, designer setting.

Italian bedroom furniture doesn’t have to cost the earth

When choosing your bedroom furniture you’ll need to consider the rest of the décor of your bedroom that is already present, or if you are completely redesigning your bedroom image you’ll want everything to have the same style and design.

The Italian look is fabulous and creates an elegant and extravagant look and doesn’t have to cost a fortune to do it! Many furniture shops and websites offer an Italian collection supplying everything you will need for your bedroom. For example search around for the truly exclusive bedroom collection called the Barocco Range. The furniture is finely and skillfully crafted all made in Italy. Within the range for your bedroom you can choose from the 4 door wardrobe, the night stand, a chest of drawers, a wall mirror, continental bed surround and slatted base all complete with black polish effect and silver trimmings. This stylish design of furniture is very reasonably priced starting from £140.

The finishing touches to your bedroom with Italian look

Of course the bedroom furniture is the most important thing to creating your ideal bedroom but once you have decided on the main furniture don’t forget about the little bits and bobs that will make your Italian bedroom complete.

Think about the lighting; choose an extravagant chandelier for the main light and an Italian sleek style side lamp for the corner of the room or for the bedside table. Add throws and colourful cushions to your bed and bedroom chair, Italians are all about the passion and love of life so choose bold colours such as reds and greens. To completely finish off your Italian look add a painting or two that reflects the Italian style, whether its block colours on canvas or a detailed watercolour painting of a sunrise, adding colour via pictures on the walls brings warmth and emphasizes the style which compliments the bedroom furniture perfectly.

Europe between 1600 and 1750 was an area of new scientific discoveries, new philosophies, new political ideologies, development of cities, time of social transformations and time of absolutism. In brief it was time of great transition, social adolescence – it was dynamic and turbulence time. Baroque as each multimedial style reflects this social, cultural and political mood. New art dimension was supported by powerful Roman Catholic Church as perfect propaganda instrument and by despotic European leaders as kings – emperors. As a consequence this style as other before was plying in theatrical rules to achieve the biggest impression. In fact were differences in style dependent from part of Europe, social patronage or function of art, but what about interiors…?

Tropme l’oeil

Illusory paint technique commonly used in baroque for great – scale ceilings pictures but also as a mural, oil and furniture. It was applied both in churches, palaces, private residential houses, in galleries, libraries, halls, and bedrooms or internal domes with mainly allegorical scenes. From great painters should to mention Pietro da Cortona, Andrea Pozzo, Baciccio and Charles Le Brun.

Stucco Work

It is kind of application used on walls or as a cartouches for trompe l’oeil in manner of three dimensional decoration. Forms to use in this period were s-shaped, organics and ovals. Common were gilding, silvering or painting stucco with sharp colours. Final effect was more similar to sculpture than basic form.

Gilding

Gilding was an application of thin layers of gold on different surfaces as plaster, wood or metal. In the case of furniture similar technique was Ormolu, as spectacular as deathly dangerous for workers using it because of poisonous fumes generated in that process.

Wall treatment and coverings

The walls were treated in different ways, with wood paneling, painting in fresco, with stucco work and plaster, covering by wallpapers, tapestries, large – scale mirrors (includes Venetian Mirrors), with enormous windows (includes French Windows) extending interiors on gardens or artistic creating landscape and with carved wooden doors. Other types of wall elements were marble pilasters, columns and fireplaces with masterpieces mantels. Wallpapers in baroque were both, imported from China with beautiful, rich colourful patterns and also rich, damasks. In both cases it gives oriental taste. Tapestries were know before, but in baroque considerable development in production was evident. The most remarkable workshops were in Italy – Agostino Melissi and Francesco Barberini, some in France and Netherlands Mirrors in baroque constituted particular facility. Firstly, they expended the interiors and intensified dynamic impression but what is more important put into the rooms theatrical, unreal and mysterious aura. It could be small or medium, handed on the wall carved and framed, covering large parts of walls of which an excellent example was Galerie des Glasses in Versailles, where mirrors were made by first royal glass manufacture founded in 1665 on the initiative of Louis XIV and Colbert, still existing today. Windows as a symbol of status were used to greate scale with transparent glass. Divided in rectangles, toped with arcs to let the light penetrate the rooms, give clearity architectural details and integrate interiors with fabulous gardens. Marble pilatsers and columns were elements which divided walls into the section for sculptures or paintings displays or to set the pace and floating impression. Chimneypieces in Baroque were carved especially from marble, decorated with gilded ornaments and frequently were parts of wall’s composition with mirrors, columns, pediments, sculptures, lights and other movable objects. A sometimes mantel includes timber or steel parts such as parts of decoration and essential for fireplaces equipments.

Floor

In fact, floor coverings were rarity but great baroque achievements were wood parquets arranged with simple geometrical patterns with multicolored timber. Sometimes stone or marble were used in parquet order. Typical woods for parquet were cherry, maple and beech and other types of hardwoods as they may be cleaned easily and are more durable.

Stairs

Other very important element of baroque interiors were stairs, because of its forms rooms could definitely change movable character. Usually stones stairs were twisted into the space, curved line put energy and permanently turbulence. Widely settled with stone or metal balustrades, carved and often topped by sculptures and lights.

Wood, woodwork and furniture

Timber as a material was very preferable and common in that period. Usually used were oak and walnut in view of flexibility, natural abilities and sustainability. It was the great material for wall paneling, later it could by incrusted by decorative layers exotic woods like mahogany or zebrawood, common gilded and painted. It was used to build cupboards, balconies, canopies, cabinets, book shelves or other steady equipment for new types of rooms like libraries, wealthy and powerful citizens or ecclesiastical interiors. Another woods elements were doors, rich carved, scientific objects like globes or measures instruments. Furniture to compare it with renaissance gained more ornaments, more curved lines and bulging shapes. They were often painted with techniques imitating marbling or graining, lavish gilded, with inlays exotics material like ivory, tortoise – shells and silver.

Lights

Both, natural and artificial light in baroque had particular meaning. As many other inventions as light stunt vastly usable as decorative elements of contemporary interiors. Heavy, large – scale’s crystal chandelier or made from bronze with glass finish were used as often as possible.

Sculpture and other objects

Indispensible elements were sculpture and also other objects to be connected with news inventions. Because movement was one the most important principles in baroque and sculptures as objects reflected human movement that this medium turn into basic interior elements of this period. Arguably the greatest Master of this time was Bernini. Mainly marble sculptures as human portraits or group of people in most cases with ecclesiastical themes were arranged like free-standing, standing in niches, as tombs and large compositions. In late baroque one more element had begun his existence. As a new device for time measure clock became a new element which was more decorative then usable but always with triple meaning of dynamism: forms of clock, movement of hands and changing of time.

To summarise, baroque as a style was so unconsciously varying that final effect of artistic creation was very often as splendid as kitsch.

When you have been hard at work all day the sight of your bed is definitely a welcoming one; being able to walk into your bedroom and place everything away quickly and efficiently is something that should be a given, however without the right bedroom furniture this can quickly become a chore. A crowded bedroom with clothes strewn everywhere is the antithesis of relaxing, & a lack of bedroom storage can add precious minutes to every day as you try (and fail) to find the things you are looking for.

Items such as bedroom wardrobes, chest of drawers and bedside cabinets are all key to ensuring your bedroom turns out exactly how you want it to, and then of course there’s your bed. Out of all the furniture in your bedroom, the bed is definitely one of the most important features. It provides you with the space you sleep in and in many cases the place where you unwind and read a book or watch TV. With this in mind it is the item in your room that creates the atmosphere of the room, it is the item that the rest of the room is focused around. So it should be comfortable, good quality and stylish. But the best mattress you can afford, it will affect both the quality & quantity of your sleep.

The bed is the aspect of the room that sets the tone for much of the remaining furniture, it is important that all of the pieces match or complement the bed when it comes to the finish and colour used – often the bed & the bedroom furniture are bought separately, & a bed in, say, dark brown leather can be beautifully complemented by bedroom furniture in Wenge (a dark oak). Moving away from the need to exactly match bed & bedroom furniture provides the freedom to focus more on design & functionality rather than buying furniture because it matches.

A lot of the beds that are available are made in Italy, in modern designs, and with this in mind they are often slightly lower down than those that are more traditional, so this is something that you need to keep in mind when it comes to your bedside cabinets. When you are choosing the bedside cabinet that you want to place next to your bed, make sure you consider the height, it needs to be tall enough so that when you are in bed you can reach your alarm clock and lamp etc. Fortunately most of the bedside cabinets from Italy are made in a number of different finishes & heights, allowing you to choose from a staggering range of colours & sizes, so there is no need to have bedside cabinets that don’t match, or are the wrong height.

One of the most popular styles available is a contemporary style. This involves modern designs and sleek finishes, including fabrics, leather, & matt or gloss lacquers, as well as the usual wood finishes. A lot of the beds in this collection are platform beds that are close to the floor and to accompany this ever growing style there are a number of bedside tables available that are low enough to work, but still include the storage aspect of drawers. Many of the very low single drawer units are extra wide to compensate, some up to a metre wide, which provides a distinctive European look, but requires a large amount of floor space.

More and more of us are opting for the contemporary style when it comes to how we furnish our bedrooms and with this in mind there is one style that stands out more than any others in this collection, this is the lacquer finish. Modern contemporary furniture that has a finish of lacquer is stylish and gives you the option of having your furniture in either a matt or gloss finish, & has the huge advantage of being available in a multitude of colours, allowing you to create a cohesive look based on a palette of colours rather than relying solely on soft furnishings to provide accents.  If your bed is white, but your curtains are a mix of blue, grey & white the bedroom furniture could be finished in a lighter grey to pull the whole bedroom together as a ‘look’. Most of the higher quality Italian bedroom furniture companies also make bedroom wardrobes, so co-ordinating is both easy & fun.

An added advantage of ordering a matching bedroom wardrobe from an Italian furniture supplier is the large number of available options for an Italian made bedroom wardrobe. Sitting somewhere in between a fully fitted wardrobe & a stand alone fixed design wardrobe these can be customised with handy internal options like internal chests of drawers, sliding shoe racks & trouser rails, internal lights & more. These wardrobes can be ordered in anything from a basic 2 door model to a huge composition covering an entire wall. Doors can be sliding or hinged, & can be a mix of mirrored, wood, glass or lacquer.

Creating the right mood and look when it comes to your bedroom is easy to achieve when you take advantage of contemporary furniture pieces. So make sure you keep this in mind when you are buying your bedroom furniture and you are sure to create the bedroom of your dreams.

The bedroom furniture mentioned in this article can be seen at Go Modern, & for white bedroom furniture at The White Home.

Italy is famous for its love for fashion and it is the birth place of many world class fashion designers. In fact its capital Rome is termed as the Fashion City.

The bedroom furniture industry has really grown into multimillion dollar business attracting major players in the market and it is right to say that Italian bedroom furniture rules the pack; this explains why in any major furniture store, you can’t miss a stand indicating “ITALIAN DESIGNS” especially in the bedroom furniture area.

Minimal bedroom furniture set has essential elements that make it modern, for example elegant and functional shelf on each side of the bed, also the beds head board comprises of two reclinable and adjustable cushion made of either fabric or leather. The mattress size is of the range of 63 by 79 inches or 71 by 79 inches with a total length of 122.5 or 130.3 inches by 98.5 inches.

Just a concept of an Italian bedroom can be expressed through a bed made of the elegant Canaletto walnut finish, inclusive of a quilted leather headboard. A multi-purpose bed that is helpful when you have your guests sleeping over is the sofa bed; this bed is designed in a way that it is a sofa, and can be transformed into a bed, it is meant for people living in one roomed houses. The most requested for bed is one that was designed by M.Mazzer; it contains rich details of a tubolar leather headboard with 3 cylindrical elements that is covered in either leather or other fabric, also it has a bed table, dresses and drawers.

Just to compliment an Italian bedroom are the chest of drawers. These come in various sizes and colour, if you miss storage space, just add these and then you are good to go. You can store your underwear in these drawers. There is one notable piece that has a self closing mechanism with a shock absorber, thus no banging. There is a tall dresser that includes six drawers, this is not restricted to the bedroom, you can put them on hallways or living rooms, and it just is associated with the bedroom because of the European culture of underwear storage.

Also made in the elegant Italian designs are the wardrobes, made in cool colours that will make them stand out in your bedroom, with gloss finishes. They are made of hard wood and they vary in sizes all dependent on your option. They have mirrors, full length, to look at yourself after you have dressed. Drawers that are in built have a self closing mechanism. 

The Italian designers have a wide array of bedroom furniture that caters for all ages and their preferences, they also provide a wide range of wood finish specifications that one can choose from, that includes shades of classic colours like wenge oak, light oak, grey oak, walnut, or one can upgrade to high gloss lacquer, leather or the superior canaletto walnut. This explains why they are a best choice in the World market.

Top 5 Trends from the 2009 Milan International Furniture Fair

Every year the Milan Furniture Fair or Salone Internazionale del Mobile as it is known in Italy pays tribute to the most exciting furniture designs and designers from around the world. Infamous designers among which are Ron Arad, Philipe Starck, Karim Rashid, Patricia Urquiola, and prestigious manufacturers such as Artifort, Moroso, Driade, Cattelan Italia, Tonin Casa, Horm, Polaris, Incanto, Rossetto, Bontempi, Bonaldo and more showcase the latest trends and designs composed of simply stunning pieces, intended to expand the boundaries of interior design and enhance everyday interaction with furniture.  Milan, or Milano in Italiano is the only place in the world where furniture for every occasion, in any silhouette, by famous and infamous designers can be found.  And 2009 did not disappoint.  Although there were many new and exciting trends, below are the top 5 that undoubtedly and repeatedly dominated the fair.

1. Plastics

Plastic furniture was abundant in Milan. Easy on the wallet and beautiful on the eye, innovative materials like polypropylene, metacrylate, ABS, nylon and polycarbonate are durable and trendy, offering colorful solutions for the outdoors as well as the indoors. Bontempi Casa’s and Bonaldo’s wide range of modern dining chairs reveals fun yet functional demeanors with an extensive life cycle and aesthetics.

2. Black and White

Black and White color combo, although not so new in concept, has been reinvented through the use of high gloss lacquers, hot painted tempered glass and of course plastics. The design world is looking for longevity, and what’s better than a tried and true; timeless and tested combo such as this one.  Used in the bedroom, living room, and dining room, black and white furniture and furnishings blend sophistication and modernity and will look just as beautiful and contemporary in the future as they do now.  Check out the modern wall unit collections like the Gallery and Boss by Milmueble and modern platform beds from the Tokyo collection by Milmueble for realization ideas.

3. American Walnut

American Walnut was the finish en vogue at the Milan Fair.  It has been gaining momentum since last year, influencing all interior elements in the modern dwelling.  With its serene, warm yet mysterious variations of color, furniture finished in American Walnut like Cattelan Italia modern dining tables or Rossetto contemporary platform beds are a great, fresh look for the dining room, living room and even bedroom.

4. Statement Storage

This year, more than ever, Milan illustrated how storage can make a statement while integrating functionality with superior aesthetics.  Whether used as bookcases, showcases, room dividers, Modern storage and shelving seems to be one of the finishing elements to an interior.  Be sure to check out Tonin Casa’s latest and ultra modern bookcases and storage solutions full of magnificent design.

5. Quilted Patterns

The traditional quilt design may not be the first thing associated with Modern Furniture, but it is clear that the soft and textured quilted hexagonal or square pattern seems to resurface on Italian leather sofas, modern sectionals and even leather platform beds.  Such is the case with the ever elegant Malaga leather sofa by Polaris or the William platform bed by Cattelan Italia.

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