"Life is a compromise," said some idiot one day. Un homme bourgeois is bound to make compromises from time to time. Let me give you un exemple concret: un gentilhomme can easily decide to skip a workout session to succumb to the vices of flesh or food. No big deal, I can do it at another time. That's a compromise. So what if my gut is hanging, I'll get to it another day.
In the same family of thoughts, food is the ultimate compromise. With a plethora of options available, it’s hard for any self-respected hedonist to set a limit to his treat-intake. Once again, that’s a compromise: sure it’s nice to look good and be toned, but isn’t that bleu-cheese burger delicious? Mais je m’égare.
A dandy will never compromise in one area of his life: his castle. Le Bourgeois moderne needs to land in a place safe from noise, unspoiled from outside rubbish, away from the gruesome reality. His domain is a place of relaxation, charnel pleasures, and other petites douceurs that the indulger needs to preserve from any nuisance.
A modern, neat, tastefully designed apartment is paramount to a pleasant lifestyle, as well as a great display of taste and social status. If one wants to get laid, one increases his chances tremendously by creating a safe and appealing environment that will woo any potential donzelle. Just like in a job interview, the first impression is everything.
The furniture game is the way the modern man can really differentiate himself from the rest of the herd. This requires taste and a vision that the majority of commoners lack gravely.
When Yours Truly is furniture-shopping for his future apartment, he starts from a vision and tries to turn it into reality. Julienlafrance, the man who embodies the Jet-Setting lifestyle, has gone through all the possible interior styles and designs, and has come up with only one logical answer: mid-century-style furniture are the most envied, recognized and emblematic design of a plush lifestyle.The Iconic symbols of the Hollywood Jet Set.
Julius Shulman's famous picture of the Stahl House, Case Study House #22,
which embodies the mid-century trailblazing architectural designs
Exotic names such as the Eames Lounge Chair, the Von Der Rohe Barcelona Chair, the Jacobsen Egg Chair and the Volther Corona Chair paint the canvas of classic, modern pieces of furniture. Of course, everyone has seen and loved these artful objects, but one assumed they are hors de prix. Well, let’s not kid ourselves, they are: a new designer piece will cost you an average of $4000. That is where one needs not to discourage, but, au contraire, to double his efforts. Once the vision is set, you need to stick to it and find a way for your vision to come to fruition.
The Eames Chair & Ottoman, by American Designers Charles and Ray Eames
The Corona Chair, by Danish Designer Poul M. Volther
The Barcelona Chair by German-American Designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
The Chinese have become the kings of affordable designer furniture. Through une aventure extraordinaire in searching for the best price and quality products, I came across a wonderful factory that appears to fit the bill.
Pictures of the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
that the Chinese Factory I’m in contact with produces
It seems that a heavy spending spree is in my immediate future. I can hardly wait to host social functions and showcase each piece the same way one would display his art collection.
Moreover, I can hardly wait to come home, after a long day at work, and enter this new interior that inspires peace and tranquility, and that would bring pride to me, the pride of a man with taste and an eye for beauty.
Of course, decisions will be in order too, since I’ll have a finite playing field and an infinite amount of possibilities. Should I go for eclectic and get nothing but different pieces (which is where I tend to be right now)? Should I go for a Barcelona interior only (although modern and beautiful, this might seem like the lesser option considering the catalog I’m dealing with)? Would an egg chair be the anchor for the living room, or would it looked contrived? If I go for a Kubrick-esque chair, should I choose a ball chair or an oval-egg shaped chair?
These are the exhilarating decisions that le Bougeois Gentilhomme has to make. These are decisions, not compromises.
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