An Afternoon in the French Countryside (Almost)

Heather, Alessandro, Jamee, Giuseppe

On Thursday afternoon, ZINO Society members and guests joined Blaise Bouchand at his elegant Maison de France Bellevue retail shop featuring Haute Décoration Française.  Walking into his shop is a feast for the senses!  When I stepped inside, I felt I had ventured into an afternoon in the French countryside.

Everywhere one looks, there is a visual treat including elegant linens, glassware, flatware, furniture, tabletop decor and fine china.  As an avowed "chinaholic", I was most taken with his offerings of beautiful Robert Haviland & C. Parlon china hand-made in Limoges, France. My two favorites included Dynasty, which is a 24 karat incrusted gold, double gold, polished with an Agathe stone and Flammes d'Or which is an exquisite orange/gold pattern also 24 karat incrusted gold polished with an Agathe stone.

Blaise Bouchand in Maison de France

Blaise provided a taste of France hors d'oeuvres including mousse au chocolat as the sweet finish, while his next door neighbor, Nabil Absil, owner of Seattle Wine Company and new Wine Professional Member offered French Bordeaux and a beautiful rose champagne.

A few of the ZINO Society members soaking up the French culture were Helena Bierly, Michelle Kauffman, Gary Ritner, Pamela Rolfe, Michael Roupp, Robin Carmichael, Rich Stillman, Neil Sturgeon, Heather Sullivan and Giuseppe Mascarella.  Giuseppe brought as his guests, Alessandro Giacobbe and the Switzerland Consul General, Phillippe Goetschell.  ZINO Society management team members, Mary Holmes, Jamee Nunnelee and Kristie Lanum were also on hand to enjoy the "afternoon in France."