Should you find yourself in Paris’ 11th arrondissement this fall, make a note to stop by newly opened paper goods store Antoinette Poisson.
Named for Louis XV’s chief mistress, Madame de Pompadour — a patron of the arts and a wallpaper enthusiast — the brand is known among fine ephemera connoisseurs for its made-by-hand sheets, note cards and books wrapped in enchanting colorful florals that, though inspired by the days of Versailles, feel surprisingly modern.
Since its founding in 2012 by trained paper conservators, Antoinette Poisson has been sold in specialty stores, including John Derian’s East Village outpost in New York City. Today, the decor of the brand’s inaugural brick-and-mortar shop is inspired by illustrations of a 19th-century domino maker studio, while contemporary touches can be felt in the concrete floors and in the buzzing streets of an up-and-coming Parisian neighborhood.
In addition to perusing the brand’s fine wares, customers can also view the workshop where trained artisans paint and dry the very papers available for purchase. A feast for the eyes, surely, and a no-brainer when it comes to one-of-a-kind gifts for those on your holiday list.
Visit Antoinette Poison at 12 rue Saint-Sabin in Paris.
