Travel : Embracing New Traditions

Dispelling with old traditions and ideas and embracing new concepts is not always the easiest of missions. Often, we get rooted to familiarity, sometimes even embracing that familiar feeling, idea or look, finding comfort  and solace within it. Travelling is all about new experiences and it is mainly why I am such a travel junkie, why just upon returning from one trip, my mind is already wandering off to the next potential place. From social media, you may have gathered that I travelled to Paris last week (really? there was a picture, just one?). I stayed at this wonderful hotel – Hotel Chavanel that really inspired me, I was actually a guest for one night but I extended my stay to 4 nights and was in absolute heaven. The hotel is located in one of the most historic of Paris neighbourhoods – Madeleine/Saint-Honoré quartier, a city entirely steeped in style and history.

The title of this post is actually in reference to this same hotel – Hotel Chavanel. It has been owned by the same family for a number of years. When Sophie Charlet, the present owner, inherited it from her father, her first instinct was to leave the decor unchanged, leave everything untouched, just as he had liked and wished it. However, after a while, she simply took the plunge and completed a whole renovation.

The result is perfection – everywhere I looked, all around this little boutique hotel, I spotted perfect stylish touches that absorbed and inspired me. A french lace theme runs throughout the entire hotel – from the flooring in the lobby, to the carpet and nightshades in the bedrooms, to the cups in the bathroom, culminating in the beautiful curtains in the bedroom. These picture-perfect curtains are actual french lace fabric from Sophie Hallette (leavers lace). Architects, Anne Peyroux and Emmanuelle Thisy really did a wonderful job in designing this hotel and on a side note, as you’ll see from the photos below, there are pink touches in the bedroom – yessss!

Although this was my 4th trip to Paris, it was my first time staying in this particular neighbourhood – it has a lovely chic feeling, right next to some of the most wonderful shops, restaurants and cafes,  it is actually right close to Printemps and Lafayette – how’s that for credit card danger? Well if I don’t try something new, what would be the point of revisiting? This is by far not to be my only Paris post, this week I’ll even be posting an outfit post shot in Hotel Chavanel. For the moment, I leave you to enjoy some lovely photos of this hotel and to lust over the 100% organic breakfast that even has fresh eggs cooked to order available each morning (the hubby was particularly happy with this one). #ParisILoveYou.