The Kitchen by Véronique Husson at Le Provençal
Your taste of life in Paris and France
ParlerParis.com
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 • Paris, France
Dear Parler Paris Reader,
Thanks to all of you who wrote in response to Monday's "Viager with a View" Part IX, for your encouragement and awe at both the energy it takes to 'jump the hurdles' and 'stupidity' at potentially discouraging would-be investors.
It is important for anyone toying with the idea of property ownership in France to know that like owning property anywhere in the world, there are decisions to be made and a level of investment, not only in money, but in time and energy to create a profitable investment. In the case of this particular property, it was a project that I would never have recommended to the 'faint at heart,' as it was a huge challenge and that was known from the very outset.
Normally speaking however, the toughest part is in finding the property itself and in today's market, good properties sell before an agency can even secure the mandate to represent them. Both prices and interest rates (under 3%) are at an all time low (and sure to soon be on the rise).
Just this past week, we made an offer on behalf of a client on a property sight unseen based on the agent claiming it to be "sublime," only to have it sold before he could acquire the key to show it to us! We are jealous of the lucky new owner as clearly, the agent was right -- it must have been even more than "sublime" to have been grabbed up so quickly at a 'mere' 760,000 euros.
Our client had spent two years trying to acquire a property on her own, only to discover how difficult it is to do alone. 'Thanks' to the lack of an "MLS" system (multiple listing service), we "flat-hunters" have a "raison d'être" and have developed a method by which we can come across such "sublime" properties -- even if we have to fight for them!
 Sample of work by Véronique Husson |
Yesterday afternoon I was standing in Le Saint-Tropez with my "mosaiiste," Véronique Husson, as she was laying the golden iridescent tile in a wave pattern on the dining table I had purchased at a recent "brocante" (rummage sale). The sun was pouring in from all directions and we couldn't help but remark what a good feeling the space has, even in its very rough, unfinished state.
Veronique is the master mind behind the new floor plan and artistic decor of both Le Saint-Tropez and La Brigitte, using her mosaic tile creations as the foundation for the spirit of the beachy scene. She is the one who was also responsible for the whimsical and colorful tile work in Le Provençal. She deserves a lot of credit for the success of the apartment thanks to her creative talents and passion for her work.
 Sample of work by Sheila Kern |
Another artist, Sheila Kern, an American well known for her "trompe l'oeil" work and realistic portraits, was commissioned to paint a wall mural of the beach at Saint-Tropez. It's being installed this weekend on the left wall of the studio upon which the bed and nightstand will be placed, framed on both sides by mirrors which will (hopefully) make you feel as if you are sleeping directly on the beach!
As you can surmise, this is all a creative expression for which the reward is the sheer pleasure of those who will experience the space. Perhaps it's that which fuels the drive, much more than any potential financial gain. It is entirely possible to reap financial reward with much less work and expense, but it wouldn't have quite as much intrinsic pleasure -- at least not for me.
 Erica Simone begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting at the Floating Villages, Cambodia |
Later in the afternoon my daughter arrived home from Cambodia, after 30 hours of air travel, lugging two huge suitcases filled with presents and dirty clothing. I was expecting her reaction to be one of mild 'disgust' at the opulent life we live here in Paris after having experienced the most tragic of poverty and strife.
Instead, it was relief for returning to what, for her is a 'normal' world, surrounded by sheer beauty and extreme civilization, where the government cares about the welfare of its people, its environment and the infrastructure. She couldn't wait a minute more for a hot shower, a "salade Niçoise" (at Restaurant Joe Allen -- the best in Paris!) and a long sleep in a soft bed under clean sheets.
I'll be doing laundry for days, but happily hearing her stories of life in Southeast Asia, so completely different than our westernized society -- spoiled by our high level of education -- and learning how privileged and special we should feel to have such a utopian life after all...in spite of the hurdles and challenges that may seem overwhelming at the time.
Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris
(portrait by artist, Kathy Burke)
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P.S. P.S. For more information on Parler Paris Apartments, visit parlerparis/apartments and remember, if you are a guest staying in any one of our luxurious apartments, and would like to consider having your own "pied-à-terre" for your pleasure and profit, contact me for a FREE one-hour consultation while you're enjoying the apartment in the City of Light. Visit frenchproperty/consultation for more information or email adrian@adrianleeds.com
P.P.S. The SOS Help Spring Book Sale is this weekend, March 20th from 12 noon to 4 p.m.! Mark your calendars and come see them at their new location: Orrick Law Offices, 31, avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, 75016, Paris. For more information, visit http://www.soshelpline.org/ or phone 01.46.21.46.46.
P.P.S. Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all you Irish and Happy Anniversary Parler Parlor for it's 12th year in existence in Paris! For more information, visit http://parlerparlor.com/.
