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| Me, just before shopping ( with my sweet boyfriend snapping the shot). |
Since I truly believe I was born in the wrong century, my heart always manages to find places, products and services which remind me of a gentler, softer time. I love to go antiquing, marketing, historic site visiting and of course: shopping! One of my favorite places to shop is in Pointe Claire Village, just outside of Montreal, Quebec. There one finds quaint cobblestone sidewalks, attractive storefronts and traditional architecture (some from as far back as the early 1800s). It's a wonderful place to leisurely browse gift shops, read a book in a quiet café or perhaps, seeing as how it's right on a beautiful lake, soak up the sun and breathe in the breeze to the gulls' cries by the shoreline.
I have visited Lakeshore Drive (or Bord-du-Lac en Français) many times but never with as much excitement as when I discover a shop with everything I could ever want! Yesterday, on such an excursion, I found Piorra Maison; talk about a Shabby Chic Heaven for this Victorian gal! The shop occupies a portion of a larger building and tantalizes customers with displays of gorgeously colorful painted wood furniture outside and hints of lace-covered mannequins in the window.
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| The first of many beautiful displays to greet me as I entered Piorra Maison - I wanted it all! |
Entering the store is like stepping inside another time; everything seems to slow down and the senses take on a heightened aspect - one begins to note the fine lines of a cabriole leg, the gentle contrast of pastel color tones, the impeccable detailing on a sweet lace blouse and the delicately painted posies on a bone china teacup. Within the first minute I knew this was a place I could spend hours upon hours in!
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| It's details like these that interior designers like me are dying to see! |
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Being in the furniture industry myself, I was entranced by the amazing paint product used to refurbish tired dressers, commodes, desks, tables and vanities. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
www.anniesloan.com allows one to completely change the look of a piece, apparently without sanding, striping or any prep work prior to refinishing - What's this? A paint that allows me to get to the good part of giving new life to wood furniture? No sweat, just sweet? "Shabbifying" (yes, that's a word) has never been easier! Piorra is the area's leading distributor of this remarkable paint and even provides courses on how to apply it and start you off on your own path to Do-It-Yourself furniture face-lifts! "Chalk" it all up to good taste!
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| Everywhere I turned I found something else to delight and inspire. |
As I delved deeper into this perfect world of vintage beauty I
discovered a beautiful selection of ladies apparel! Lace, lace and
more lace! And a a good helping of crochet too! Makes my heart go
"Whoop-dee-doo!" Sadly I resisted the urge to dive head-first into the racks of lacy, tasseled, beaded & embroidered goodness (that will be my mandate next visit!)
I did, however, manage to find several clothing pieces that I believe I will need to add to my wardrobe. Through Piorra I was introduced to this absolutely fabulous clothing line: "Cream". Let's just say that these pieces truly are La Crème de la Crème! Romantic, feminine and fresh; each piece is a work of art and of course fit in perfectly with the finds at Piorra (I want everything else, why not some beautiful tops, dresses and sweaters too!)
www.cream-clothing.com
What I did splurge on were the vintage linens! Oh my goodness gracious! The very word "Vintage" really is a synonym for Heaven isn't it? There is something so romantic and idyllic about picking up a pretty pack of cloth napkins, smoothing your fingers over the contours of an embroidered linen handkerchief and the airy feel of a hand-crocheted Swiss doily. I've said it before and I'll say it again,
everything looks better behind lace! One can
never have enough of it!
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| An entrancing pink painted vanity with everything a girl desires! This girl desired the cut-work embroidered doily on the right and took it home! |
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| Clever jewelry displays add oodles of charm! |
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A treasure at every turn, I found even more inspiration at the jewelry counter. Poring over the strands of elegant fresh-water pearls and silver pendants gave me the undeniable urge to bead! Everything is presented so lovingly, right down to the pale periwinkle and sea-foam button-tufted upholstered display boards and the Shabbified chalk painted mirror (perfect for admiring oneself while adorned with such precious pearls).
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| Up-cycle a birdcage into a Shabby Chic candelabra! |
After making my purchases and taking one last leisurely tour of the shop (I was so reluctant to leave but the hour was speedily approaching closing time) I realized I was leaving with much more than a bag of goodies. Friendly chat with owner Caroline, a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere to generate a wonderful mood, and inspiration to last a lifetime were all coming home with me.
Piorra Maison will definitely be on my list any and every time I visit Pointe Claire Village from now on. As an interior designer and aspiring entrepreneur I can absolutely see this enchanting shop becoming a top resource center for me in my work. Specializing in romantic, Victorian & vintage inspired style is a passion as well as a profession and I look forward to sharing the beauty of Piorra with my clients and my friends.
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| I may just have to go back for this darling dish! |
Now dear friends, I implore you to take some time this lovely Labor Day weekend to stop and admire the beauty around you. Absorb the calming scent of a lavender sachet, sip tea on a balcony from a china cup, light a candle, read that book or magazine you've been saving for "just the right moment" or simply take a walk and savor the last fleeting delights of summer. And when the shopping bug bites, take a drive to Pointe Claire Village and stop in at Piorra Maison (tell them Dawn sent you!) and get lost in the treasures found!
Piorra Maison inc. (Détaillant)
274 Bord du lac (Lakeshore)
Pointe-Claire,
Quebec
H9S 4k9
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