Lunch On A Peniche (Barge) in Melun on the River Seine

Sustainable Travel thru Paris -Velibing with Gregg and John

A Beautiful Photojournal of John and Gregg with local friends, Amber and Leo, as they do their own Velib tour through the streets of Paris...

France Visual Diary: Vaux Le Viscomte

Paris Visual Diary - Tuileries and Notre Dame

Philippe Starck-French Designer Introduces Sustainable Energy to his Genius Branding

I have always viewed French designer Philippe Starck as being one of the most progressive designers and certainly most well known in the world for the new style of design.  His famous designs range from interiors of Hotels private residences including the apartment of former French President, Francois Mitterrand. He is a savvy designer of furnishings and products such as the  Ghost Chair, and everyday household items for example the spider-like juicy salif fruit juicer. His products and furnishings are often stylized, streamlined and organic in their look and are also constructed using unusual combination of materials such as glass and stone, plastic and aluminum, plush fabric and chrome More recently I am glad to see that Starck has approached the concept of sustainable design with his inventive and creative eye with his design for a wind turbine.  Starck has taken his designs to a new level with his new line of Micro Wind Turbines unveiled in downtown Milan in January.  The "Revolutionair" turbines, produced out of Italian power generator company Pramac, are designed for domestic use by homeowners.  Another functional, yet aesthetically effective household product, resembling a sculpture to add flair to your garden or rooftop.

One of Starck's Hotel designs is The Mama Shelter, in the heart of Paris in the Saint Blaise historic district. It offers an eclectic and electric ambiance thanks to its friendly, warm and casual common areas.  The website states it be "rebel character and city life at a country pace."

Relax in eclectic and electric ambiance at the Chic-Chic bar and lounge, a French brasserie or the cozy romantic terrace.

 Cozy rooms look out over the district.

One of his most recent designs is the Mi Ming armchair, sure to become a classic. made of polycarbonate and available in re, black, white or silver at Avant Gallery.

Hotel Fasano, is another chic hotel designed by him in Rio de Janeiro is designed of wood, marble and glass and features furnishings from the 50's and 60's.

If wind turbines, armchairs and hotels don't grab you then check out this mega yacht "A", designed for billionaire Andrey Melnicheno . Reminiscent of a submarine warship on the exterior.

photo courtesy Design Bloom

Stunning and elegant on the interior.

photos courtesy Live Yachting

Or if you just need something as basic as a juicer,  the everyday household item, Alessi juicer, has even found its way into the Moma Gallery in New York. The list of his genius branding goes on and on to include shoes for Puma and even toothbrushes.