parisian party

I found these images of a beautiful French dessert buffet in the current issue of Marie Claire Idées. I’ve added a few ways that you can recreate the look for your own French or Parisian- inspired party. Take a look:

The technicolor, yet oh-so-Parisian pièces montées (French wedding cakes) and pink, hand-embroidered “gateaux” quilt gives the buffet a whimsical “Alice Dans La Pays Merveilleuse” feel.  The clear glass stemware, tableware and candlesticks help to keep the overall effect light and airy, but adds another level of sophistication as well.   Cakes from Lenotre, Laduree, Fauchon. Pink quilt: Le Bon Marché with gateaux appliques by Héléne Le Berre (sewn separately).

french dessert buffet, styled by hélène le berre

Ladurée’s signature pastel colors were used as the inspiration for this slipcover. Gold textile paint was used for the dots, and the image of the cake was cut from a printed textile swatch and embroidered on. Boxes from Ladurée.

laduree inspired chair slipcover, lise meunier

These cute French Pastry decorations were simply hand-painted on cardboard, then cut out and strung from silk ribbons. What could be easier than that?

hand-painted french pastry decorations, Veronique Villaret

Using a color palette of pale pink, violet and mauve porcelain paints, a French Pastry pattern was hand-painted onto these inexpensive white dessert plates. Wouldn’t these make great personalized favors for a Parisian-themed wedding or baby shower?

french pastry dessert plates, veronique villaret

OK, these are the cutest things that I’ve seen in a long time- knife rests and other table deco in the shape of little French pastries, made out of Fimo dough! These could also be personalized and used as place card holders or another type of take-away favor.  And how perfect for a little girl’s Parisian Tea Party?

french pastry knife rests (fimo dough), isabelle bonte

All photos © Marie Claire Ideés