The Scents of Grasse, France
What fills the air of Grasse, France? There is more than the aroma of freshly baked pastries lingering from the shops that line the street. When you breathe deeply in Grasse, you breathe in the sophisticated scent of centuries of perfume making. Grasse, France has long been known as the perfume capital of the world, but there was a time when it was known for something much less pleasant. In the Middle Ages, Grasse was famous for leather tanning. However, when local tanner, Jean de Galimard, created scented gloves to cover the stench of the leather, it created a craze that resulted in a significant tax hike on leather. The high taxes erased the tanneries but left the perfumeries behind.
Images — 1. @halloberlin_voyageout 2. @havalinna 3. @ingriditalia 4. @jufcarreira
Parfumerie Galimard was founded in 1747 and still leads the way in perfume making. Galimard, along with Fragonard and Molinard are still in operation, offering tours as well as personal scent making. However, there are also sixty other active fragrance companies today that carefully guard their scent secrets. Top perfumers, known as noses, study their craft in this historic city. Many well-known perfume companies' scents originate in this fragrant city, such as Le Labo and Byredo.
Several products available at Nannie Inez are also blended in Grasse, including some of the Playtype candles, Compagnie de Provence soaps and creams, Kerzon sachets, and incense found in-store.
Design Icons: Gubi
Gubi finds forgotten design of days gone by to create stunning collections that inspire. Searching through artwork from the ‘30s to the ‘70s, Gubi reimagines the work of the artists, designers, architects, and sculptors of Europe and Japan. Gubi’s homage to these timeless designs fit perfectly in the modern home.
One of Gubi's design icons is Greta Grossman. After becoming the first female to graduate from the Stockholm School of Industrial Design, Grossman made waves in Sweden as a talented designer in the male-dominated field of architecture and furniture making. During World War II, Grossman and her husband fled to the United States and opened her own studio on Rodeo Drive and quickly became prominent in the Californian Design Movement. Her influential designs still have a presence today because they feature the very elements of good design: simple lines and effortless functionality, tempered by a dose of personality.
One of the pieces we are most excited to carry is her Grashoppa Lamp. The precise lines are as beautiful as they are functional, juxtaposing an organic form with clean, modern design.
Another design icon we are pleased to offer is the P2 Pedrera floor lamp. Originally designed for Gaudi’s Casa Mila in the 1950s, The P2 Pedrera lamp shows a “powerful simplicity” thoroughly seen in Corsini’s work, which embodied the idea of classic designs and perfectly manufactured pieces for the “common man.” The designs are as beautiful today as they were in the original Pedrera residences and will be a welcome edition to your space.
Four things to do before saying good-bye to summer
The end of summer is bittersweet. September brings slightly cooler weather, but it also means the end of vacation life and the return of the daily grind of work life. However, I do appreciate the return as a chance to refresh my routine and myself. Here are my steps for returning to work with a fresh perspective:
1. Much of my mid-year prep is in digital decluttering. Because our digital collections don’t take up space in our living area, we tend to forget about them, but they are just as important to keep organized and cleaned as our desks. I like to take the time to clean out my cloud drive, update my Pinterest boards by deleting old pins that are no long applicable, and review my Google drive. I also update my antivirus software during this time.
2. My second step is to update my physical office needs. I take this time to clean up and organize any old design books or magazines (my favorites include Monocle and Dwell), change out some accessories, like notebooks and stationery, as well as changing out my aromatherapy. Never underestimate the power of a clean office, especially one that is clean smelling. I love the scent of lemon and bergamot featured in our Uplifting oil blend. It will leave you feeling energized and ready to take on the day.
3. After cleaning your workspace, it can also be nice to treat yourself to a new fixture you've had your eye on. These are a few on my list:
+ Kaleido Trays
+ Craft Design Technology pen
+ Playtype Pocket Notebooks
+ Diffuser and Uplifting oil
4. While temperatures in Austin stay hot well into September, by the time summer holidays come to an end, I’m ready to never see another pair of shorts or flip flops again! This is the perfect time to edit your closet and toss out things that haven't been worn in a few seasons. It will make a bit of space for your new transitional pieces, and top on my fall must have list are these cult classic sailor pants from Jesse Kamm found at Kick Pleat. I've also never met an oversized shirt that I didn't love so this one from Nehera is on my fall must have list as well.
We hope this list helps soften the return to life a little more and leaves you refreshed and ready to get back to work.
A Trip to Copenhagen
On our last visit to Copenhagen, we stayed in an Airbnb in the Norrebro neighborhood. Our host’s apartment was SUPER tiny but within it, she had the Muuto Dots, a Hay dining table, Hay clothes rack and Menu accessories. There is an expectation in Danish culture that the pieces you use on a daily basis are not only functional but also worthy of being displayed in your space. The functional elegance of everyday objects is all around you, and it is wonderful.
One thing I noticed when searching for rental apartments was that while most were well appointed, the bathrooms were tiny and merely utilitarian. I don’t know if that’s a Danish thing or a random coincidence among the apartments we considered.
On our first night in Copenhagen, having arrived after a long day of travel and without a solid dinner plan we wandered around Sank Hans Torv looking for a place that embodied the “Danish design” experience we wanted to have. On our last attempt to find a place we stumbled into Baest and it was everything we were hoping for. It focuses on organic pizza, paying homage to restaurateur, Christian Puglisi’s Italian heritage, and the vibe inside was perfect. Dim lighting, loads of burning candles everywhere, and tons of attention to detail.
The burning candles and focus on a cozy environment define Danish culture. Their word for it is "Hygge” which is the idea of coziness and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. It’s a beautiful sentiment that we read about often on design blogs, but we were pleased to find that it is not a passing trend, but a way of life there.
If you’re searching for a great breakfast, Baest is connected to a lovely bakery called Mirrabelle’s. They serve the most perfectly baked pastries and simple Danish breakfasts.
Copenhagen is full of great coffee shops all around. You must visit Coffee Collective at least once. They take their coffee very seriously and roast it right there. Leaving without at least one bag of coffee is impossible. Graphic designers will find the visit worth it just to see their branded coffee cups. Pro-tip: There is a wonderful bakery on the same street called Meyers Bageri, so you can pick up a pastry, grab a coffee, and take a seat. It is the perfect start to your day.
For other restaurants that we loved, Kiin Kiin Thai is one of only two Michelin star Thai restaurants, and it happened to be right outside our Airbnb. We decided to go for it, and it was an amazing culinary experience. Pro-tip: The owner and chef behind Kiin Kiin also own a fast-casual Thai Bistro right next door called Aroiidee.
Host is a quintessential example of Danish Hygge. It’s a bit rustic, yet still modern and cozy. We felt as if we were dining in an indoor garden. They had some of the biggest aralia plants I’ve ever seen, which are my favorite house plant. The fixtures are lovely too, with chairs all from the Hay FDB series and all of the dining accessories specially designed by Norm Architects.
Bonus tip - The neighborhood of Vesterbro is a very cool destination with many great dining options. It was once a seedy area with lots of industrial workshops but has undergone a renaissance and some of the most fashionable restaurants are in formerly commercial buildings. We tried Bio Mio, Mother, and Pate Pate.
For shopping, you must visit Stroget, the longest shopping street in Europe where your design loving dreams will come true. Even though we have carried Hay at Nannie Inez for nearly three years, I still lost it when we visited the Hay house. It was incredible. The Hay flagship store is located on the 2nd and 3rd floor of a historic apartment building located in the heart of Copenhagen. It is filled with accessories, furniture and textiles.
My absolute favorite find was the Playtype shop. Lonzo and I both went crazy in the store trying to decide what we could carry home. I spent the remainder of the day riding around by bicycle with a backpack full of poster tubes!
Illums Bolighus is a multi-level department store for design-forward home goods. You will find level after level of everything you’ve wanted to see in real life: Hay, Muuto, Normann Copenhagen, etc.
We got all of the inspiration we needed just from walking around the city but if you are still in need of more, The Design Museum and Danish Architecture Museum are a must.
Mirabelle Bakery photo credit — Linn Grubbström for Guide to Copenhagen
Shout out to our friend Greta Rasmus who kindly gave us so many recommendations for Copenhagen, many of which had us head over heals in love.
Summer Entertaining
Being an outgoing introvert, I love being with friends and hosting gatherings, but I prefer to keep them on the smaller side, usually inviting four to six people. The most important aspect of entertaining is to be relaxed and comfortable because your energy affects your guests, so I know my limits! Entertaining at home is great because everything has a casual air and the evening can dissolve into hours of good conversation over lots of wine.
When preparing for a gathering, I always make sure the house is tidy, and I have a subtle home fragrance in the background. A home that smells nice puts you instantly at ease. Fresh flowers are another simple touch that add a bright elegance to the most casual get together.
Before our guests arrive, we load a playlist in Tidal to set the mood and pop open a bottle of rose. When the weather is nice, we open our sliding glass doors so we can enjoy the greenery and the quiet creek that flows just behind our patio. Summer entertaining is great, but mosquitos are not, so here's my pro-tip: We never have guests out on our patio without offering them a spritz of Viriditas Botanicals all natural mosquito repellent. It's a blend of essential oils, and I'm amazed at how well it works!
One last real insider tip: when we are entertaining outside, I always light a couple of sticks of incense and place them around the patio. When the breeze blows, and you catch a subtle waft of fig perfume, it's pretty magical. The French incense we carry burns for up to an hour, so you can easily give your night a hint of enchantment.
Some version of this playlist is always playing in the background when we entertain at home. Click the link below if you’d like to check it out for your next gathering.
Deeyn's Skincare Routine
My mother used to tell me that if it was in a bottle, I would buy it. Admittedly, I am a product junkie but a discerning one. I fall in and out of love with products, but there are some that are my tried and true. My current routine is a mix some old French pharmacy favorites as well of a few new obsessions, particularly from the Korean beauty market.
Korean skincare has become popular because it’s not just about the products or makeup, but caring for your skin first. You have only one face, so why not protect for the long haul. Korean beauty products incorporate innovative formulas and well-researched ingredients. They are also often more affordable than department store prices, which makes them a great buy. My go-to place for Korean skincare is Sokoglam, but there are a few other retailers that offer the products as well.
I have listed a lot of products, but my routine is fairly quick. I don’t use every product morning and night or even daily, but these are my favorites
The first thing I do is wash my face. In the morning it helps wake your skin up and at night it is crucial for cleaning away the day. Be diligent about face washing.
I have two favorite cleansers. The first is the Bioderma Makeup Removing Micelle Solution. I have been using this for years, and it never goes out of my rotation. When I’m in Paris, I stock up on this at a French pharmacy. I probably have about five bottles of this in my personal “back stock”. It’s a non-rinse formula of micelles that help to rebuild the skin’s protective barrier. It’s gentle on sensitive skin, but excellent at removing make-up and will help clear up any irritated skin.
My other favorite is the Filorga Foam Cleanser. This is another cleanser that is perfect for removing make-up and is enriched with hyaluronic acid, a great moisturizer that will fight the signs of aging. Don’t rush this process. Apply the cleanser with your fingertips in a circular motion, taking the time to give yourself a mini facial massage which, in addition to cleaning your face, stimulates circulation. I find that Filogra Foaming Cleanser leaves my face feeling very clean, but not dry. I have sensitive skin and have found that using an oil based or cream cleanser leaves me feeling like I have an invisible layer of product on my face after washing.
After cleansing your face, it’s important to apply any follow-up products while your face is still a bit damp. Your skin is more permeable when it is damp. Also, don’t forget about your neck, it needs love too.
Nannie Inez Hydrating Rose Toner, Our rose toner is ideal for balancing ph after cleansing. The formula is composed of rose hydrosol as well as rose and frankincense essential oils, which have wonderful anti-aging properties. The formula is in a spray bottle, but I prefer to use the toner on a cotton pad after I wash my face. It not only tones but also removes any final traces of daily gunk. When using the toner to hydrate and refresh during the day, I use the spray.
After the toner, I use Time Revolution First Treatment Essence. This essence contains 80% Fermented Yeast Concentrate which helps repair damage and Niacinamide, a Vitamin B3 component, that protects and improves skin evenness and texture.
After cleansing and using a toner, I apply a pure Vitamin C serum from Klairs. I put just a few drops on my fingertips and then spread evenly over my face. I love the freshness that the serum provides. The antioxidants in the Vitamin C serum act as a skin brightener and an anti-age protectant.
SPF is the final daytime step and one that absolutely cannot be missed! I use SPF on my face even before walking the dog in the morning, and I wish I had started this years ago. Elta MD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 is super lightweight and won’t block your pores. It’s only available through your dermatologist, and I bought into this because other SPF formulas that I had tried were too heavy for daily use under your makeup. They felt too thick and made applying the little makeup that I do wear look very oily. I have since discovered my new favorite SPF by Missha, Essence Sun Milk, that is even lighter than Elta with a milky/watery consistency and an even higher SPF of 50.
My nighttime routine is very similar to day, except that I skip the SPF and switch out the Vitamin C serum for Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule. The ampoule contains Bifida Ferment Lysate, a fermented yeast that reduces the signs of aging, improves elasticity, and evens skin tone.
If you haven’t added a serum or ampoule to your skincare regimen, I highly recommend it. Serums and ampoules are like highly concentrated skin treatments because they don’t have the fillers that products like cleansers and moisturizers do. You can use them as spot treatments (like for hyperpigmentation or acne spots) or use a few drops for your whole face.
I also use an eye cream at night. I stock up on Filorga Optim-Eyes whenever I’m in Paris. Some eye creams are too rich and make the puffiness around my eyes even worse. This formula feels more like a serum than cream and is light but moisturizing for the delicate skin around your eyes.
My last step before bed is to moisturize my lips. The idea of brushing my teeth and not immediately applying lip balm sounds like a form of torture. My favorite is Kiyoko lip balm. In addition to being a great product, the minimalist packaging goes a long way in my book.
The Extras —
A few times a week I use an exfoliator and my favorite is Neogen Gauze peeling wine. The red wine formula removes the dead and dull skin without damaging my skin. I’ve found that even the finest exfoliating scrubs can damage my skin, but Neogen’s formula is more like an exfoliating wipe than a scrub.
Nannie Inez red algae mask. This product is still under development, but I am so excited to add this to our mix! Algae can stabilize the minerals that help keep your skin moisturized, soothe irritation, brighten skin, and has anti-acne properties, which makes it perfect for a mask. To use, mix ½ a teaspoon of our algae mask formula with equal parts water and then apply all over your face and neck with your fingertips.
One of my favorite things about Korean skincare is the sheet masks, but since most are geared towards moisturizing, I don’t use them as frequently in the summer. Sheet masks are relatively inexpensive, and I highly recommend trying different masks to find your perfect fit. Right now I’m loving the Missha Time Revolution sheet mask. Also, in Korean skincare, when you see a “whitening formula”–the intention is not to “lighten” your skin, it is to brighten your skin and even out skin tone.
Alexis Smart Beauty Formula number 8. This formula targets the 8 emotional causes of aging. I believe in flower essences but I know there are skeptics, so I like to tell people that whether or not it is the placebo effect, I feel like my skin is more radiant when I’m taking Beauty Formula #8.
Kiss My Face Sensitive side 3 in 1 SPF. As I said before, I never skip SPF these days. This formula has broad-spectrum protection with an SPF of 30. It is a cream, but it’s not heavy like a lotion. It’s made of oat protein, which is anti-irritating, and it is free of parabens, fragrance, and oxybenzone. Don’t leave the house without applying this to your neck, décolletage, arms, and for us Texas drivers, especially your hands!
Creating a Home that Tells Your Story
Think of your home as a book about you. If you shared it with friends, would they read the story of a rich life, woven into a tapestry of experiences? When decorating your home, select pieces that speak to you, speak about you. Consider these three pieces of distinction. Perhaps, they are a part of your story.
No. 1—Menu Afteroom Lounge Chair
This is one of our new pieces that I absolutely love. It perfectly demonstrates that minimalist design can still be surprisingly comfortable. No matter where it is in your home, you will love it.
It can be so tempting to purchase a “filler” piece when you are putting a room together, but please resist! Investing in uniquely designed, quality pieces will not only give your space more personal expression but will also bring you more joy in years to come because they are made to last.
Lighting is one of those often overlooked, yet crucial pieces of design. In your home’s story, lighting sets the scene. It creates a mood for the entire room. One of the biggest improvements you can make to your space is to change out the light fixtures. Think about lighting like you would like about art. Lighting is to home decor what the designer handbag is to fashion… it makes the space as the handbag makes the outfit!
One of my favorite pendants is the Muuto fluid pendant. They are modern, but playful and one would look great over your sink or group two above your table for a significant impact.
This is a gorgeous piece with a unique design you won’t see anywhere else. The mirror quality is excellent, with no risk of a fun house reflection. The minimalist wood framing is sleek, while the colored feet are an unexpected touch of fun. Choosing this mirror is a perfect way to display your personality in a unique way.
Mirrors are another often overlooked aspect of decorating. Not only are they useful (everyone needs to see how they look in the morning) but mirrors bring in even more light to your space. If your room feels small or dark, don’t forget mirrors can open everything up.
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Telling your story through your home should be fun. It’s important to remember that not everything has to be strictly utilitarian. Good design comes from elevating everyday items into something that brings you joy. What may seem insignificant can have a bigger impact on your daily life. We love nothing more than helping you narrate your individual story through design. Come see us, we are always here to help!
( Interior images above by mathieu noël via archilovers.com. )
6 Easy Ways to Reduce Waste at Home
Kaley here, one of the familiar faces at Nannie Inez, and today I want to give you a few pointers on easy ways to make your home a little more eco-friendly. At Nannie Inez, we believe that good design can actually help make going green fun AND beautiful. Every little bit helps when it comes to keeping our Earth happy and healthy!
Tip No. 01 — Reduce Single Use Items
Replace paper towels with cloth napkins, plastic water bottles with glass or aluminum, and paper plates with ceramic. I know clean up is easy but resist the temptation!
Tip No. 02 — Let Indoor Plants Clean the Air
Some indoor plants actually reduce indoor air pollution. Pretty cool, huh? A few to note: Garden Mum, Snake Plant, Dragon Tree (pictured), Ficus, Aloe Vera, and Boston Fern.
Tip No. 03 — Recycle & Compost Station
Designate an easy-access spot in your kitchen for recycling and composting.
Tip No. 04 — Replace Your Light Bulbs
Replace traditional incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs which use 66% less energy & last 13x times longer!
Tip No. 05 — Ditch the Plastics
Slowly replace plastic tools around the house with wood or metal ones. Everyday life, upgraded!
Tip No. 06 — No More Junk Mail
We all hate it, plus it’s a huge waste of resources. Register at catalogchoice.org and receive less junk mail.
Photography via @goforthcreative.
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