topic Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT in Home

PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

Oznell — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 19:58:18 GMT

Living in Paris is expensive! And a lot of apartments are tiny. But this young American pastry chef, Ainsley Durose and her husband Lev have managed, in a very highly collected, "maximalist" style.

That was a warning, by the way-- minimalists will not be charmed, not doubt...

Ah, the Paris neighborhood!

Everything in the living room is from a flea market, thrifted or antiqued, except the couch. That marble dining table, which is only steps away from the miniscule kitchen, does double duty, as it is perfect for her professional job of rolling pastry--

Speaking of the busy little kitchen, there it is to the right, below. Ainsley is holding her precious little dog, whose little tongue lolled out the entire time. I'm wondering if that is a nervous condition? In a photo she had posted, it was NOT visible, but a painted portrait that she had of her, also showed that little tongue. I could not take my eyes off her, she was SO sweet!

I can't stand how cute she is-- special alert to @luvzchiz !

And she has her own special soft blanket on top of the couch to nestle in...

Anyhoo, the whole couch area is cozy.

Ainsley has slowly collected favorite vintage items for a curated salon wall, which includes a practical shelf--

It's amazing that Ainsley can whip up all her concoctions in that vest pocket of a kitchen! The curtain covers her "dorm-size" fridge! The kitchen does have a window, which is a boon.

Luckily, the flat has its original worn, tile floors.

Her prized possession in the bedroom is an antique Welsh quilt, which she coordinated with green floral pillow cases.

The tiny apartment gets a nice amount of light, through the charming tall windows...

She found a plain white fireplace surround -- but it was boring. So she spackled on some Roman clay, and then painted it for subtle texture, below--

She couldn't afford real Delft tiling in the "fireplace", so she found a heavy wallpaper that she affixed to a backing and then installed-- voila! ( American "can-do" spirit!)

They had an interesting discussion of all the different street markets in Paris, with which Ainsley is very familiar--

So then they strolled over to one!

What fun. I felt like I had taken a whirlwind hop over to Paris myself.

Could I live like that, in that teeny of a space? Not comfortably. But there's something about the young-- their youthful enthusiasm and resilience! For her and her husband, it's probably like a fun game, and they are happy vintage collectors. Plus they have the "city of lights" on their doorstep!

The video conveys the charm of the dwelling so much better, and it doesn't seem as small as it does in still pictures. Google: Tiny English Country Inspired Apartment in Paris.

Their vintage little apartment makes me think of what Hemingway's must have been like when he and his wife Hadley sojourned there with other artists and writers-- an adventure....

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

SactoSue — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 20:10:35 GMT

I dont know how you find these incredibly interesting places, Oznell, but this is a great one.

As I read it, I felt I was truly in Paris in one of the admitedly, very small, apartments. I've stayed in wonderful small hotels in Paris that had tiny tooms, so I get a good idea of how lovely this can be. My favorite was in the 7th arr. and was at the top floor, with dormer windows, a lovely bed and chair, and a wonderful clawfoot bathtub for soaking in.

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

Desert Lily — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 20:26:47 GMT

It's a nice apartment for a budding pastry chef & her husband. It's a place that could hold sweet memories.

@Oznell I've seen dogs with their tongue out in vet's waiting rooms, and most were due to having teeth removed.

How endearing that Ainsley has her fur baby as an integral part of her life.

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

Lilysmom1 — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 20:27:57 GMT

@Oznell Interesting post. I could have done that when I was younger but probably not today. Having said that, it would be very easy to move right?

I love that everything was second hand. I have often thought it would be fun to do that.

Great post!

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

We rescue cats — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 21:18:42 GMT

What a delightful vignette of photos, so fun! Paris is such an eclectic city to explore. Julia Child also had quite the start to her culinary journey according to her memoirs!

One of our cats (George) had tthat issue with his tongue, we adopted him from the shelter when his person died. George was 16 and the family deposited him in a box at the shelter door on Thanksgiving, the director called and we collected him the next morning. He was 16 and we had him for 8 years, had to have dental work done on the old fella and he lost all but 4 teeth during that exam. His tongue was part of his smile! LOL!

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

Mz iMac — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 21:20:35 GMT

@Oznell I've seen toothless dogs w/their tongues hanging out the side of their mouths.

What does hubbydo for a living? 2 paychecks & they can't do better than that? Or is she supporting hubby to?

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

jannabelle1 — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 22:59:00 GMT

This was such an interesting read, and the photos are wonderful. It's nice to see another way of life in the romantic city of Paris, and it's a good reminder that what's "normal" in one country isn't necessarily normal in another!

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

lovethgedress — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 23:19:47 GMT

Maybe they don't want to waste all their money on rent....geez. Looks charming to me!

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

DottieBlue — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:23:45 GMT

Such a charming apartment...love it!

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

Franklinbell — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 01:07:06 GMT

I just love it! Thanks you for sharing! I could hear Parisian music playing in the background while I was reading!

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

Puggywuggy — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 01:14:58 GMT

Just chiming in to say Thank You for sharing with us and also...what a precious little pup! ❤️🐾

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

luvzchiz — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 04:55:35 GMT

@Oznell Thank you for thinking of me.

Of course I love that sweet long haired chihuahua. I would pup and house sit for the owner anytime. The reason the puppy's tongue is hanging out is probably because she is missing her teeth. Adorable anyway.

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

AngelPuppy1 — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 12:10:20 GMT

That's just lovely! So quaint!

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

Oznell — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 14:19:06 GMT

@SactoSue , love the word-picture of your quaint, up-in-the-rooftops Parisian hotel!

@We rescue cats @Desert Lily @Mz iMac @luvzchiz -- thanks for that explanation of tooth loss for the condition. Aww, the little sweetheart. One of our kitties, Sibyl, at age 17, has lost a majority of her teeth, but evidently not enough for her little tongue to come out yet. Ainsley's pup could not be cuter, what a doll.

@Mz iMac, I wish I could remember what her husband did. She did say in the video. I think it had something to do with an artisan-type coffee or something. He might have a little company that imports or makes it? Of course it would have to be some kind of arty enterprise....

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

stevieb — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 14:37:00 GMT

Aside from the often typical long, lovely French windows found in so many older Paris apartments, there's nothing here I find appealing. The place strikes me as a bit of a jumbled mess. Oh, and the dog is cute.

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

shoptilyadropagain — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 14:54:59 GMT

It wouldn't be for me. I'm not really into vintage or antique furniture but I've seen much more interesting furniture and decor items than what she has accumulated. I've never been to Paris but it's a bucket list item. Thanks so much for sharing.

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

DREAMON — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 15:27:42 GMT

The apartment looks very French/Parisian to me. I would have to remove quite a bit to live there comfortably but I think I could do it.

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

Trailrun23 — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 02:35:39 GMT

Thank you so much for sharing. Her pup reminds me of Norbert, the little white pup with the ever-protruding tongue (he has his own page on FB). . I am sure many young couples in Paris have started out this way....tiny apt with thrifted furniture....a modest, romantic beginning.

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

QVCisFun — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 06:05:26 GMT

@Oznell wrote:
Living in Paris is expensive! And a lot of apartments are tiny. But this young American pastry chef, Ainsley Durose and her husband Lev have managed, in a very highly collected, "maximalist" style.

I like her solutions for the fireplace with the spackling and the Delft wallpaper. Like her marble kitchen table and the wood dresser next to it. Just looking at the photos (didn't watch the video), she seems to have done a nice job of organizing her spaces and it is a pleasant place.

The apartment reminds me of a couple of Maria Killam's quick transformations of small apartments that you have previously highlighted in the QVC forums, @Oznell , but without Maria's expert touch. Would be interesting to see how Maria would rearrange the contents of this apartment with one of her quick makeovers.

Re: PASTRY CHEF'S WEE PARIS APARTMENT

Marsha2003 — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 15:50:36 GMT

I follow Ainsley on Instagram. I'm in love with the way she makes a complicated pastry just to share for dessert today. Her enjoyment of Paris comes accross so clearly. If I had a dream life, it would be to live like she does. Thank you for sharing. I hope everyone here will become followers to support her. Ainsley