Ever since I hatched the idea for the living in column, I’ve been plotting a post on the divine Umbrellas of Cherbourg or Les Parapluies de Cherbourg. Yup. It’s a frenchie. And not only that, it’s a musical. Yes, a combination has been known to put many a well-meaning boyfriend, father or husband to sleep. But this one is different, I swear. I’ve seen grown fraternity brothers watch it with rapt attention (in hindsight, I’m am 86% sure it has something to do with a teenaged Catherine Deneuve), but anyways. Boys love it. And so will you.
Set in the coastal town of Cherbourg, France, the story follows Geneviève and her mother as they struggle to keep open their (adorable) umbrella shop. Girl meets boy. Boy goes to war. Darling umbrellas and wallpaper are prominently displayed for our viewing pleasure and before you know it- bam!- you’ve just watched your new favorite movie. So romantic, tragic, silly (after all, every last word is sung!) and gobsmackingly inspiring.
[image above, clockwise from top left: umbrella $115, A.P.C trench coat $480, grosgrain hair bow $6.50, yellow striped wallpaper, green damask wallpaper, medallion chair, abici bicycle $1000, yellow rose lamp $50]
Be prepared to see pickle green, fuchsia, aqua, teal, red, peacock blue and lemon all coexist in the same apartment and have it still seem, ugh, dare I say it? Chic. There, I said it. Not a word I normally use. It’s the most saturated, pop art color palette of any movie I’ve ever seen and the wallpaper alone will blow your mind and make you want to grab a patterned umbrella, bicyclette and a handsome boy to run away to Cherbourg.
[image above, clockwise from top left: everard medallion wallpaper found via katy elliott, cora mirror $998, wall sconce $140, pink hydrangea $, mirrored dresser $1300, velvet pillow $20, French folding bed $3500, Ipswich spring wallpaper, pink floral umbrella $105, striped umbrella $220, alabaster table lamp $230]
