Sunday, August 15, 2010

All my blog friends have been talking about outdoor spaces and ways we can stylishly and comfortably commune with the beautiful summer Earth and Skies. There have been so many ideas and creative posts to enjoy, so Benji suggested we talk about his friend, Anne Girault of Boutique Tents, whom he met in design school. Her bespoke tents are as stunning as the guests attire, inspired by couture, event invitations, and of course, the hosts style. Forget Omar...
And think impossibly chic


Anne Girault
Detailed creations, that are simultaneously exotic and urban. 


 Anne names this creation for Tara Guerard of Soiree: "The Waldron." Her designs are so personal and alive for her, that her creations become intimate friends:

"This gent is the essence of restraint and tailored perfection. Mind you, not for a loss of detail, but only the most sensibly executed ones. While to some he cuts a formal figure, we praise his pedigree and provenance as rare in this age."

 Tents within a tent, create intimate architectural spaces around a central dance floor, with lounge areas echoing an era of sophisticated night clubs.  With a large tent like this, Anne creates the smaller perimeter tents, valences, decorative roof liners and draperies. She likes to hide all of the construction elements. Combined with the geometric dance floor, we are transported to a middle world of time and space suspended. 


The tent party reminds us of that we are invited to a unique and special moment in our lives. In Anne's incomparable prose, she describes her favorite handiwork:

 "This little gem is a match for the wandering soul, the weary traveler who seeks shaded solace, repose and a kind aperitif. "


Tomorrow, it will all be gone, and reconfigured in a completely different way.



Unforgettable sophistication, with contemporary lounging and dramatic lighting takes us back to elegant Hollywood or Palm Beach eras, that spark the imagination. We are transported to the days, when people smoked with flair, and used martini shakers. I am looking for Sean Connery, Clark Gable and Gregory Peck! 


This elegant pavilion would be perfect at the edge of a terrace, in the garden, or by my imaginary swimming pool, and tennis court. Dinner for 8? 


After collaborating with the event planner, often Tara Guerard, Anne goes to work in her Charleston atelier. She has three "really bad ass" sewing machines that she personally uses to piece together Sunbrella fabrics. 


Anne is a completely self taught seamstress--note the stenciling applied to the ceiling cloth. The traditional vernacular becomes instantly fresh with a Matisse-like applique to the valence. She is inspired by myriad sources and periods from campaign tent styles, made famous in the Napoleonic era, Medieval variations, or Indian and Eastern themes. 


The Maharaja Tent company has some wonderful historic photos and descriptions of luxurious tent settings, or what bloggers currently dub as "glamping." Many other designers have created tent inspired rooms. 


A Turkish tent exhibited in a Swedish museum inspired the great Italian designer, Renzo Mongiardino, whose clientele was described in his obituary: "to resemble a kidnapper's wish-list. "

Roomscapes: The Decorative Architecture of Renzo Mongiardino


The council room at Malmaison, reminiscent of the great campaign tents, inaugurated this opulent Empire style. 
Elegant tents, are also designed for the four legged crowd.


Anne's animal friends entertain in style!


The Thomas A. Gray Auction featured this fantastic tent door hanging, which I did not win. I was going to hang it over my dining room door. Stitched in Farci, the words: "With God's help, we will soon be winning," sounded encouraging to me. 


This is Boutique Tents latest creation. It is packing for Denver, you are the first to see it! Tell us your romantic, tented, dreamscape fantasies--canopies, valences, dressing tables...

As, always, I leave you with a quote... 
I got in an argument with a girlfriend inside of a tent. That's a bad place for an argument, because I tried to walk out, and had to slam the flap.
 Mitch Hedberg quotes (American Comedian, 1968-2005)









21 comments:

  1. wow cool looks Indian you will love India you must visit

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  2. These are exquisite! And the quote you found is perfect!

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  3. So much loveliness. That acqua / orange combination really has caught my eye. But I shudder to think of the cost.

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  4. They are surprisingly reasonable to own, if you were going to contrast it to a permanent structure.

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  5. Hi Liz,
    These designs are GORGEOUS!! So beautiful and well-thought!! Love this! Thank you for sharing!
    Liz, thank you so much for all your lovely comments on my blog! You are so sweet!
    xx
    Greet

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  6. Liz how fabulous!! You are in my giveaway as I extended it one day!!

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  7. I dream of tents and parties like this. I will also have the yellow one for MY imaginary swimming pool which I totally deserve just for surviving another summer in Phoeix.

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  8. How beautiful and glamorous! These are not your run-of-the-mill backyard tents and certainly a far cry from the average white ones that need so much decorating.

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  9. Thanks so much for checking out my blog and bringing this fab post to my attention. It reminds me of Rachel Getting Married and the stunning design in the movie. Best, Kate

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  10. I think the tents scream "party"!! Beautiful!

    Liz- saw your comment on another blog- we used to live in Eastmoreland in Portland! Small world!

    joan

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  11. I enjoyed the images, dreaming of a Martini with Cary Grant and I laughed loud at the last quote!

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  12. They're beautiful...and I'm stunned that she creates these masterpieces of fabric in that cute little sewing studio (coveting it...although I don't sew).

    Here in the PNW we'd need tents made from oil cloth (which could be cute), actually, this week is an exception, it's finally hot!

    Happy dahlia collecting btw...♥
    xo J~

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  13. So loved the quote, how absolutely perfect. I wish I had the tent with the yellow trim smack dab at the far end of our pool. So very Palm Springs don't you think? I love your blog!

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  14. That orange and white tent has to be one of the most amazing things I've ever seen...I love it bunches and bunches!

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  15. LOVE the doggy tent !!!

    just so you know..that julia chicken dish was a winner !!!! i served it over buttered pasta (butterlfys)and put the chicken and sauce on top...with the parsley from my garden...yum yum

    kary and teddy
    xxx

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  16. Liz, this is
    SUCH a dreamy post!
    What a talent Anne
    has to make these
    truly amazing creations.
    Loved the doggy tent, too : )
    My mom skirted a 1940's
    era dressing table for
    me as a young girl. I used
    to open the arms and the
    skirt would become a "tent"
    for my Barbie theatrics!
    Wish we'd kept that dressing
    table! Have a wonderful
    weekend!
    xx Suzanne

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  17. Oh, now isn't this a fabulous post! Those tents....I have always tried to find an excuse or a space to have one...a medieval style one! The one with the turquoise colored top is my favorite. Thank you for coming by my blog today and finding the magic....yep, our kids are too busy these days but if we spend more time with them doing the simpler things in life, they WILL find their own magic! ENJOY THE WEEKEND and please come back any time! Anita

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  18. There is a sophistication and a whimsy in the creation of these tents. It makes me want to have a party TOMORROW with one!
    Elizabeth

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  19. Such a great post!! I absolutely love tents..mughal tents, berber tents. I crossed the sahara on camel and slept under beautiful silk cadique tents, i slept under rudimentary tents at 20,OOO feet and am off to sleep in my favorite mountain...under a tent. I have recently met Tara Guerard in my new York showroom. She is such an energetic wonderfully talented and creative person.

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  20. Hi Liz! Thank you so much for checking out LL4L! I just sent you a coupon, and I hope you received it. What a creative idea to write about outdoor tents...my favorite is the orange and light blue tent. What a gorgeous design!

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