While in Paris recently, my well-informed, sophisticated and elegant friend, Suzanne Santry, invited me to join her on an excursion to one of the many ateliers that still exist in the city. We were going to one she identified from an old issue of World of Interiors: Legeron, fleurs et plumes on Rue des Petits Champs. After venturing into the simple courtyard and up the stairs, we were met by Monsieur Legeron himself, clad in a work apron with pins stuck all over it. The specialty of the firm is the creation of flowers in silk, leather or feathers for bespoke couture designers such as Dior, Lacroix and Saint Laurent.  This multi-generational family business has been in existence since the 1860s when it was in the heart of the budding haute couture industry–a time when trimmings were an essential part of dressmaking. Today only a few  flower and feather businesses exist, down from dozens.

In 2010 Peter Sallick wrote a guest post for TPB about his love affair with his outdoor shower. As long as the temperature was above freezing, he headed outdoors every morning, rain or shine, to experience the simplicity of showering in an outdoor environment surrounded by hydrangeas, tall grasses and a big buddleia. He enjoyed the evolving foliage of the mature plants, the quiet of the early morning and the opportunity to be alone.