Pia Bijkerk is another Aussie stylist to watch. Recently relocated to Paris she is busy “researching” and photographing for her upcoming book. I’ll let her explain her latest passion and introduce these gorgeous photos she sent. (P.S. I’ll put it on the record that if she needs a research assistant and can spare a ticket over I’m on my way!)

“I have had the pleasure of living and working in Paris for the last 6
months and have found that once I was able to peel back the outer
layers bound by the likes of Prada and Louis Vuitton, beneath were
the secreted layers of true French style - something called fait
maison: Handmade.

Fait maison is not just about constructing an objet d’art by hand
utilising conventional methods of design. It is also about the
ability to reconstruct what already exists, embracing the art of
redefining through restoration. Chiner (the act of hunting for the
‘found’ object) amongst the French is as prevalent as the enjoyment
of an aperitif or two and is often the chosen conversation while
doing so. Professional chineurs have set up shop all over Paris &
beyond, and are becoming as popular to stop in as the local bakery.
These are people who have an eye for the unique, who can spot a
beautiful piece from 10 paces and who dedicate their lives to
sourcing objets most wanted. They may decide to lend their own hand
to reworking the piece if they feel they can add to its original
beauty, without dismissing or covering up its origins but rather
acknowledging and enhancing it.

As every hand has a different hand print, so does the re-interpreted
article in observation. As soon as such a piece is touched by a
talented hand, re-styled or re-worked, it gains a certain something.
A varnish is added that enhances the originality and becomes as
unique as it ever was. It allows such a piece to move with the
times and the trends. It gives the original piece depth. Home-
fashioned has become a strong character trait of fait maison.

So instead of searching out the latest, be ahead of the times and
look behind – that is where the great designs lurk unseen. Have
confidence in your ability to re-interpret a piece and let it breathe
in your personal space. And if you simple have no ability to re-
define pre-loved furniture then leave it to the experts. Here is a
peak at some of Paris’s best-kept secret atelier’s (craftsman
studios) to get your style-buds tingling… ”