Today’s post by Vicky Archer of French Essence about 160
anniversary of the famous Parisian department store Le Bon Marche inspired me to
do a bit of a research.
Notice the perforated ceiling base. And the modern furniture installation is quite at home.
It happened to be a world’s first department store
established by Aristide Boucicaut and located on Rue du Bac. (Actually the Brits has another opinion regarding firstness.)
Later the successful growth of the business lead to new
additions when architects Boileau and Laplanche were commissioned to enlarge
the store sugnificantly between 1869 and 1887.
Around 1877 they contracted Gustave Eiffel to built the metal/glass
roof, the first structure of this kind
in the world . That’s why the Bon Marche building is considered a monument of architectural innovation and a landmark
not to be missed.
The ceiling is magnificent !
The day light is streaming trough the ornamented glass.
That is exactly why I was there, to see beautiful interior design and take a glimpse of furniture/lighting department which was quite impressive.
I can only imagine how beautifully the store will be decorated for the upcoming event.
This handmade lounge chaise caught my attention as well as a very original light fixture below.
* All images copyright by Natalie Rapoport
