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I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. It snowed in Nice. It had been raining for days playing havoc with our building's plumbing system, creating a bouchon (blockage) in the main sewage pipes that flooded my neighbors' apartments -- but, luckily not mine! Still, it put a 'damper' on the finishing of Le Matisse (Le Matisse Apartment) as running any water in the apartment would just contribute to the overall problem. I came to Nice Sunday to put the finishing touches on the apartment. These are the final bits and pieces that are what an abode is all about. And these are the things that no one else can decide but yourself or a trusted designer. Trust me -- the men who know how to screw on the toilet paper roll holder don't have a clue WHERE it should go. They certainly don't know how to attach the curtain rod so that the drapes hang at the right length or especially, how to protect your things from the dust that penetrates everything at a "chantier" (construction site). No offense, but there's a reason these (usually) guys are working with their HANDS. Often, I wonder if their heads are attached at all. But of course, those that are, end up being the boss and no longer are working with their hands, but their heads. And then they have to direct the guys who are all hands. I saw it yesterday as 'the boss' couldn't get anything done himself while he watched over every task 'the hands' were doing. Fortunately he was there to do just that.
The first guests arrive very soon to Le Matisse, but I hope to come back and enjoy the new apartment myself during the carnival season. I must say, I am really pleased with the outcome. All the ideas that began in the head, that now have been realized by hand in wood, glass, tile, stone, metal and fabric, came together just as it had been imagined and way better. Le Matisse is a work of art -- mine and Véronique's (our mosaïste) and Martine's (our designer). The mirrored bedroom wall reflects the three tall windows giving the illusion of five and makes the space feel twice as large and twice as bright (although the sun that pours in will knock your eyes out...even with all the rain!). The glass atelier wall that separates the rooms makes it feel as if there is no end in sight to the pleasure. The mosaic tile is like a jewel -- akin to how the Taj Mahal glows from the gems from which it is constructed. Color is dotted everywhere -- not so that it becomes a circus -- but it's fun and happy and alive! When you walk in, you can't help, but feel good. I'm getting to know Nice in a different way than the way I first got to know Paris. Spending so much time in "Le Carré d'Or" with this one goal in mind (getting this apartment up and running and rented) means which restaurants are worth going to among those that are not. It means learning the retail resources like a native. It means not going to the beach every day (or hardly at all) or the Cours Saleya for bad food and too many tourists. It means taking on a bit of "humbling" -- since Nice is to Paris as New Orleans is to New York -- 'small potatoes.' The Niçois are not necessarily those I'll get to know well, as the Parisians haven't been either all these years. It's the Expats that make it all so interesting, actually -- the people who have come from all over the world to enjoy what the French have made ripe for them. Aren't we rude for taking advantage of their sense of esthetics only to complain or question their methodology?
And you know we all will!! A la prochaine...
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P.P.S. Planning a trip to New York City? See below for an opportunity to book your stay in a really cool studio apartment March 14 to April 4!
West Village New York City studio apartment (with a perfect view of the Empire State Building) is available for vacation rental March 14 to April 4 (departure required on April 4) for as little as $175/night, $1100/week or $2700 for three weeks. Located in the heart of the coolest 'hood' in the city. "It's super cozy, clean and comfortable." A 50% deposit reserves your stay. See the apartment at West Village Studio For your reservations requests, email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Parler Paris Après-Midi At every Après-Midi, a guest speaker of note will come to talk about a topic of interest and then open the floor for questions and discussion.
"Romantic Paris" Thirza Vallois will take you on an exquisitely romantic "outing" through the pages of Paris. The afternoon will be sprinkled with fun, sentimental and outrageous anecdotes from the ultimate city of romance and with readings from love letters, songs and ballads, all of which are part of Parisian lore.
Costs nothing except whatever you drink! For more information, visit Parler Paris Après-Midi
FOR SALE: A One-Month Share in Villa Monceau
The one-month share is part of a December-January share – when you purchase one month from the current owner, you have the flexibility to share the usage over December and January with a partner shareholder, a great advantage! Asking price: 82,500€. For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . To learn more about "What is Fractional Property Ownership?," click here: frenchproperty.adrianleeds.com And to get the free "Paris, France Property Market Report," click here: frenchproperty.adrianleeds.com Planning a trip to Paris? Or you just love reading every book you can get your hands on about the City of Light? Get Practical Paris, the indispensable guide written by veteran tour company owner (Nuit Blanche Tours) and featured in National Geographic. Save time, hassle and needless expense and make the most of your precious stay in Paris. BONUS: Access to a web page containing hundreds of Useful Links! Visit Practical Paris.  Practice Your French...or English!
Practice speaking French and English. Make friends, discuss interesting topics, learn about other cultures, progress in understanding and speaking, naturally and easily. Meets three times a week -- come as often as you like! For further details, visit Parler Parlor. Buy and sell with Parler Paris classifieds! Earn money. Become an Introduction Partner of French Property Consultation! Read past issues of Parler Paris...
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Your Doorway to Working, Living,
A snowy, icy Nice
Meanwhile, the beautiful winter blue skies in Nice turned to gray and rain and now snow. It's highly unusual. As the city prepares for Carnaval de Nice, it's feeling the pains of winter not usually on the blue coast horizon. The bleachers have been erected along the Promenade des Anglais and at Place Masséna to welcome the parades and festivities that begin on the 17th of February -- just 2.5 weeks away.
I received an email from author 
Adrian Leeds
P.S. Mark your calendar for February 14th when Paris expert, author and lecturer, Thirza Vallois, speaks on "Romantic Paris" at Parler Paris Après Midi from 3 to 5 p.m. at La Pierre du Marais. Visit 
Exceptional Rental in New York City: Cool & Comfy Studio in New York’s West Village
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 
HOT FRACTIONAL PROPERTY NEWS!
The luxury fractional ownership property Villa Monceau is a one-bedroom, 58 square-meter apartment located in an immaculate pierre-de-taille building in the elegant 17th arrondissement, close to Parc Monceau and the Arc de Triomphe. Villa Monceau features beautiful hardwood floors, mouldings and chandeliers, with convenient amenities such as a washer/dryer, flatscreen TV and WiFi.