I'm home (NEWS / ENGLISH)

To spend a perfect evening on the most glamorous Champs-Elysess street in Paris, the following first-class places are recommended. Have an aperitif at "Villa Barclay", enjoy dinner at "Fouquet", have desert at pastry shop, "LADUREE" and to finish it off, drink digestive champagne at "La Grande Armee". All these places are designed by an interior designer, Jacques Garcia.
What made his name prominent is "hotel costes" located in Saint Honore street in Paris on which he co-worked with Gilbert & Jean- Louis Coste brothers in 1996. In the midst of long-lasted "minimum style" trend, decorative "Garcia style" appeared and gave an impact on people. Now his style became a current "trend". At present, his success doesn't remain only in France but expanded globally. Jacques states, "I'd like to accept each place's and each building's history and energy and then incorporate the modern sense, while following my own country's natural flow of decorative culture." Up until 2006, he designed more than 24 facilities such as cafes, restaurants, art museums, hotels, etc which represent modern Paris. It is not overstating to say it is impossible not to encounter his designed space in Paris.
Jacques is not reproducing the traditional style in modern times. He says, "Culture is not something which fundamentally discards old elements but it grows by adding new age's "Esprit"(spirit). To enhance a harmony with old elements, you have to have a deep knowledge of each period." His designed space blends in with a building's essential atmosphere and it gives us a new surprise while maintaining a dignity of Paris.
In Normandie which is approximately 100km north of Paris, Jacques purchased a manor house in 1992 which was built in 17th century, called "Champ de Bataille". Currently he's renovating this house with utmost effort. It is not only the building but also he's working on landscaping. He wishes to establish his ideal style by creating a vast private space which would be the pride of 20th century. He says, "I'm sorry to witness all the similar buildings all over the world that the culture specific thinking and styles are disappearing. The world is in the trend of globalization and different culture can easily enter the different land. But it is never cross-cultural and doesn't mix well. It is important for us to learn more about our own country's culture."

Currently, Bourbon Palace is being used as a congress hall of national legislature in the administrative district of Paris, France. In this quiet area, interior designer, Klavs Rosenfalck's personal residence is located. This apartment building was built in 1930~40s and it has a view of Eiffel Tower. He had bought one of the apartments, in this building and renovated it.
His residence had a good sun exposure in every room but only the entrance didn't have any opening portion so he newly created a round window. Since he was born in Denmark where duration of bright sunshine is short, he puts an importance on the light, thus, this small window meant significant to him. Moreover, in the salon, paintings of Eugene Carriere which were collected by his partner for the last 20 years are hung all over the wall. This kind of art can be seen everywhere in the apartment and is decorating the space beautifully.
Klavs has an intention of incorporating more modern design in the future. By a fusion of old and new items, even more sophisticated home will be created.

designed by Klavs Rosenfalck

Thomas Boog is the designer who is mesmerized by a beautiful creature like shells born in the nature. He graduated from an art college in Switzerland and worked as a top shoe designer for more than a decade at BALLY, CHARLES JOURDAN and others. However, he had had doubts about the hectic design cycle of fashion industry, and about 18 years ago, he started to express his own world with shells which inspired him since childhood.
He uses 200 kinds of shells imported from India, Philippines, Tahiti, French Polynesia, and South Africa. Shells are abalone, razor shells, nautilus shells, etc. Using these various shells, he designs jewelry, different sorts of object displays and furniture. By request from clients' orders, he creates image sketches and chooses appropriate shells for it. And each individual shell is attached to the base object by craftsman. His work possesses a unified color scheme and that accentuates the elegance that shells hold and on top of that, his work is even delicate and modern. He awakens our subconscious feeling by showing the new attractiveness of shells.
Thomas Boog's showroom is located on Bourgogne street in Paris where all the other interior shops, showrooms and galleries exist.

THOMAS BOOG
52 rue de Bourgogne, 75007 PARIS, FRANCE
TEL.＋33（0）1-43-17-30-03 URL.http://www.thomasboog.com

Japanese candles made in Japan use the raw materials such as pine tar and wax tree nuts. In Edo period, raw materials for candles from Uchikocho, Ehime prefecture was famous for its good quality and there existed lots of Japanese candle shops. However, in Meiji period, paraffin-made western candles had spread and in addition, introduction of electric lights made Japanese candle shops fade away. Ohmori Warousoku-ya opened its business in late Edo period and in Uchikocho, it's the only one which passes on the traditional Japanese candle making. Now Taro Ohmori of 6th generation is running the business.
The making process is first, candle wick made out of Japanese paper rolled up like a cylinder, wrapped around by rush stalks and a bamboo skewer is inserted into this. Then, 45c wax melted with charcoal is entwined. When the wax is stabilized and dry, the same process of pouring wax is repeated. This process creates wax layers and the candle thickens. As for finishing, 50c wax is poured and the candle is rubbed up. By this, the candle shines like a silk gloss. The smallest size is 12cm(5inches) and only 180 candles can be produced per day.
Japanese candles produce less soot and it's strong against wind and it lasts longer. Big flame, bush warber color and the form itself is beautiful. It is just like the candle is burning with its own mind and this expressive flame gives an impression of "alive light".

Ohmori Warousoku-ya
2214 uchiko uchiko-cho, kita-gun EHIME, JAPAN
TEL. +81-893-43-0385

Residence A is located in the quiet residential area near the center of Tokyo where many white-walled houses line up. This house was originally an old Japanese house which was removed and reconstructed there. It emits an impression of solemn and unique presence. Keiji Yoshida from Rengousekkeisha Ichigaya Architects.,Inc is the architect of this house and he had a vision like, "I didn't want to just reconstruct a Japanese old house but simultaneously "re-create" a modern space which is suitable for current lifestyle." And with this concept in his mind, he proceeded with the project.
This Japanese old house is estimated to be built in 1860s in Ojiya, Niigata prefecture and its core pillar in the vaulted ceiling measures about 9m. This pillar was received by the owner from Shrine Suwa in Nagano prefecture and the residence planning was constructed having this pillar as a center. Moreover, the antiques that the owner has been collecting and newly purchased modern Scandinavian furniture create a superb harmony along with Irori fireplace and stair tansu which are Japanese authentic element.
While maintaining some history, it's now beautifully brought back as a new residence, and there exists a high-quality space to enjoy its lifestyle.

designed by Rengousekkeisha Ichigaya Architects

Malet district in Paris, France is known for gaudiness of city life. Going through a stone pavement alley from the district center, there appears a sister hotel of "hotel costes" called "Hotel Bourg Tibourg". hotel costes is now the center of Paris social circles. It stands in a quiet area and gives a poised impression. This hotel is famous that the same designer of hotel costes, Jacques Garcia designed it. Even though it's only 2 in the afternoon, it's dimly lit and it's a condensed form of French aesthetic feeling and gives out ennui atmosphere.
This building was built in 1840s and the hotel used to be "RIVOLI-NOTRE-DAME". From the sound of that hotel name, Garcia associated with a French romantic literature novelist, Victor Hugo. Moreover, he was inspired by the only remaining Gothic-style entrance door, he incorporated medieval taste everywhere in the hotel. He greatly respects this 19th century architect, Eugene Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc who is known for restoring medieval buildings and Garcia designed this hotel as homage to Viollet-le-Duc.
In this modern air and space, this hotel carries medieval style everywhere and it's easy to see Garcia's respect for French history.


designed by Jacques Garcia

Hotel Bourg Tibourg
Address：19, rue du Bourg-Tibourg, 75004 PARIS, FRANCE
TEL.＋33（0）1-42-78-47-39 URL.http://www.hotelbourgtibourg.com