Did you know it’s Election Day in France? Eh oui! Grab your baguette, your Figaro, and enjoy Round Two as Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande face off, with socialist Hollande projected to win.
Now now, don’t let that “socialist” label throw you off. We do have a tendency to quickly categorize, rather than looking beyond the label to see the ideas, issues, and practices involved.
More simply put, Monsieur Hollande favors retaining social programs, pumping money into the economy and, yes, taxing the rich – in order to deal with France’s economic woes. President Sarkozy, who has been in power for the past five years, is viewed as right of center.
French political parties?
To most Americans, we’re more able to grasp French dinner parties.
Rather than a (theoretical) two-party system as we have in the U.S., some five or six major parties are the norm in the French elections. (And if you’d like to read a little, pop over to Le Figaro in English if you like.)
Do You Follow French Politics?
I find myself increasingly interested in watching what is taking place in Europe, though I have much to learn in that regard. (I’m reading, I’m listening, I’m watching – as much as possible.)
Then again, I’m trying to do the same when it comes to our elections.
What about you?
All politics aside – do we think the outcome of the 2012 election will affect French style? Our passion for French cuisine, French design, French fashion?
My Sunday Style
Being in a Sunday sort of mood, and not up for running out to purchase the Times – later perhaps? – I am indulging in a few minutes with my favorite magazines. This month’s Bon Appétit dishes up delectable images of French bread and a nifty list of eateries to visit in Paris.
AD (Architectural Digest) France – a splurge, I admit – features stunning interiors I couldn’t resist.
This room?
I’m madly in love. Follement amoureuse, which doesn’t mean I would live with it exactly as it is. But it features a Jean Prouvé shelf (étagère), Panton chairs (from Vitra), a Sol Lewitt gouache on paper (from 1986), and the uplifting mood of primary color.
Please note – the Architectural Digest article is written by Esther Henwood, photographs by Jérome Galland, and describes the interiors of a collector with a delicious combination of furnishings, sculpture, paintings and works on paper.
French Design in All Its Variety
If there are “rules” to design and interiors in French homes, my observation is this: It isn’t so much about explicitly breaking the rules as it is the confidence to mix what you love, focus on quality, reflect who you are, and not lose your sense of humor or whimsy.
Naturellement, there are the French styles we’re more familiar with – both rustic and over-the-top elegant. (Bonjour, Versailles?) But my style preference is the mix of old and new, hard and soft, cool and warm – as expressed in many of the homes I personally have visited.
From the same issue, this room reflects an equal delight in mid-century shapes and colors. Note the curvaceous couch in deep purple, and the air of insouciance in the Italian red chairs. The article is written by Sylvie Thébaud, with photographs by Paul Lepreux.
Your Style Elections?
Regardless of who wins the French Presidential election (and I think we know which way it’s leaning), I doubt French design will diminish in elegance or its iconoclastic chic.
- Do you follow politics in Europe? Have you heard of François Hollande?
- Are you following the issues rather than the rhetoric on the American scene?
- Are you a fan of French chic, French food, French interiors and fashion?
- Do you enjoy magazines, and consider beauty to be motivational as well as aspirational?
Cover of Bon Appétit (scanned), May 2012; Architectural Digest (France), Avril 2012, p. 144 and 150 (scanned); photos by Jérome Galland and Paul Lepreux, respectively.
© D. A. Wolf
News-wise, I follow the euro currency crisis mostly and occasionally the discussions on health care and immigration in Europe. The huge debt load is my main concern for Europe, with France and Germany being the main cat herders at this point, they have quite a job ahead of them with the Greece, Italy, Spain and Ireland bond auction failures.
Um, an acronym a French friend of mine tends to use for certain of the European countries you mention comes to mind… It includes Portugal (along with Italy, Greece, and Spain). One has to wonder how much any one leader can accomplish. Necessary – of course – the convergence of forces outside his/her control, his advisors, a little luck…
As of this writing, Sarkozy is out, the first incumbent president to lose since 1981. Will Obama follow suit? France will not only survive a socialist president, it could very well be better off. On the other hand, the U.S. needs a Republican president like a hole in the head.
CBS News
Mr. Bush ran up the biggest increase in the National Debt of any American president. The Debt was $5.727-trillion on his first day in the White House. And on the day he left, it was $10.626-trillion. That means the Debt increased by $4.899-trillion on his watch. Some would round it off to $5-trillion – but that wouldn’t be fair. He was saved from five trillion dollar infamy by $101-billion.
The Fiscal Times: 9/11 and the $5 Trillion Aftermath
“The choice the U.S. walked through after 9/11 was the door to war,” said Neta Crawford, a professor of political science at Boston University, who coordinated the war cost project. “The U.S. saw it as an act of war. But international law sees it as a crime. To treat terrorism as a crime would have entailed a much more intensified law enforcement response.
“It wouldn’t have been cheap,” she said. “But it would not have cost as much in dollars, and certainly not in lives.”
A word of caution : le Figaro is very right leaning. For a center left perspective : Le Monde. A moderate and usually objective voice : La Croix.
In my opinion, France will certainly be better off and who knows, maybe the whole of Europe.
Not chauvinism 🙂 Krugman has that take : http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/07/opinion/krugman-those-revolting-europeans.html?ref=global-home.
Can’t comment on french interiors, as you seem to be much better versed than I am in French design.
And since you are talking about food, when you’re next in Paris, let me know and it will be my pleasure to take you to … my favorite Chinese outlet. LOL.
True enough on the periodicals, Alain. I cruise and peruse many, but grabbed the Figaro first yesterday – as my Internet was acting up.
Ah, Krugman. Now you’re talking… 🙂
I love these chairs, but must have round wooden tables. Must.
As for politics, my bleary brain takes in a little. Too little. But I’ve heard a bit about the election in France. And I think we could benefit from more parties at the table here too.
Sarkozy is so corrupt it’s thrilling.
Just laughing! Ooooo là là!!