Colorific...part three!
OK, I left a tease at the end of part one, “What do Palm Springs, Marfa, Texas, and Paris have in common?” Well, each has one of my three favorite shops in the world, and each shop is a wonderland of color. I get goosebumps thinking of each of the three and the special moments to be had inside their doors.
These are in no particular order, but let’s start with the Trina Turk’s flagship boutique in Palm Springs, California. First, Palm Springs is my favorite place on the planet, so that helps. Second, Trina Turk takes clothing design to a whole other level. I once heard an interview recalling a time in Eric Clapton’s life, when he and Jeff Beck heard of a new guitarist in town and they decided to visit one of his shows. Upon hearing Jimi Hendrix, they declared that their own careers were over. Well, I believe Trina’s designs are so far ahead that all other designers may as well choose another path. Stunning, just stunning. How can one be in awe of clothing? Try visiting the Trina Turk website and find out. In my mind, most anything in life can be done so well as to create awe.
But I haven’t even discussed the beauty of the Palm Springs boutique, and you really must see it. Fresh, California style, and bright colors. Perfect curating. Completely spellbinding.
Next stop, Marfa, Texas and Garza Marfa. Marfa reminds me of Oxford, Mississippi, in the sense that both are places you really want people to know about and experience, and at the same time, you want to keep them a secret. They are small and could be easily ruined by increased attendance. Part of what makes each so special is the feeling that you are beautifully removed from the world in some way. Aesthetically, I’m not sure if there is a more perfect place on the planet than Marfa. The town is so remote that, upon visiting, you can’t help but consider the level of intentionality one must have to create such an aesthetic. This attention to detail would be difficult even in LA, or Paris, but in the middle of nowhere, it’s practically a miracle. And this is why it’s not only so worth making the long journey to Marfa, but the difficulty of the journey actually gives the experience much of it’s worth.
Well, Garza Marfa is as beautiful a store as I’ve ever visited. It may sound weird, but like watching a toddler soak up all the wonders of the world, I always feel like I’m learning something when within their walls. Curating genius. Owners Jamey Garza and Constance Holt-Garza are design geniuses. Garza Marfa offers a wide range of goods, from furniture to scarves, blankets to candles, t-shirts to glassware. Impeccably and seamlessly, it all fits together. This does not happen without incredible effort, and of course, it looks effortless. I have so much gratitude when I think of humans spending such energy to make good experiences for others. Garza Marfa creates a magical little world for us to explore.
Now what knocks me out most about Garza Marfa is their custom designed furniture. I have to say(and this is crazy to say), I believe it rivals Charles and Ray Eames.
It’s my good fortune that I’ll be able to visit Garza Marfa again in coming weeks and I’m counting the days.
Last, but not least(I couldn’t possible decide between these three) is the hidden jewel of La Maison du Pastel, in Paris. Unlike the previous two shops, I’m not sure if I’ll ever visit this one again. I hope to visit Paris again, but if I do, I’ll be afraid that visiting La Maison du Pastel might ruin my feeling for it. It’s so precious in my mind, that experience, that I want to keep it just the way it is. I’m thinking now of how I experienced it with my friends Doug and Denise, and how glad I am that they were there with me.
Here’s one beautiful moment in a life. My friends and I are at the Musee Picasso in the Marais district in Paris, viewing a stunning show of Calder and Picasso. It’s late morning. I’ve been excited for months about what’s next on our itinerary. We’ve planned for this specific day, as La Maison du Pastel is only open four hours a week, on Thursday afternoons. Yes, four hours a week. Can you believe it? It’s only one kilometer from Musee Picasso to The Centre Pompidou, a lovely walk past windows filled with meringues and croissants, and halfway between these iconic museums is La Maison. I remember it as if it was yesterday.
La Maison du Pastel is indeed beautiful, rows and rows of antique wooden shelves. What resides in those shelves are tiny miracles, thousands upon thousands of the world’s most stunningly rich pastels, each handmade. Each stick is waiting for it’s time to be set to paper, finding it’s fullest expression. Pastels are amazing, pure sticks of pigment. They make my heart pitter-patter. La Maison du Pastel is the house of Henri Roche pastels, the very pastels used by Degas. The company is run by exactly two people, Isabelle Roché & Margaret Zayer. And here is why the shop is only open four hours a week. At a secret location in the French countryside, Isabelle and Margaret spend most of their week creating over 2000 different colors of pastels. This is not an easy process and it only leaves the tiniest of time to interact with the public. Much like the Marfa effect of knowing how long it took to get there, there’s a special feeling in visiting La Maison during these brief hours.
I don’t believe you can understand Isabelle and Margaret’s devotion to bringing these pastels to the world unless you watch the video above. You will be amazed!
It takes tremendous effort to create such beautiful objects, settings and experiences as Trina Turk, Jamey Garza and Constance Holt-Garza, and Isabelle Roché & Margaret Zayer have given us and keep giving us. I’m oh, so grateful for their efforts and talent.