A Spring Vodka and Salmon Soirée, Chez Cécile - Remodelista
A few months ago Julie and I were putting together photographs of Cécile Daladier’s last vernissage into a post and Julie said, “wouldn’t it be fantastic if you could go to one of these?” Photography by Alexa Hotz for Remodelista. Which is why it was so surreal when I found myself walking up to the green metal door of Cécile‘s home and atelier for her spring vodka soirée, in person. I arrived at the same courtyard I had seen in photographs many times before, and walked through Cécile and husband Nicolas Soulier’s tiny garden. Entering Cécile’s atelier is like being in a dream–with the late afternoon sun streaming past the wild roses outside, in through the massive windows, and casting shadows across the walls. Everything had a warm glow that evening; the off-white walls were speckled with small, slightly rusted nails–practically an installation itself, but meant for hanging shelving and garlands. In the corner of the room, a simple Ikea Fas Clamp Spotlight illuminates a shelf of ceramics just above a set of four Capteurs. While I was downstairs obsessively photographing vases, Lucile Demory called me upstairs where they were preparing the salmon. Salmon served with fresh tarragon, zucchini, and gem lettuces arranged on raku ware. Along with the salmon were a few loaves of homemade bread, one of which was made with dried, edible flowers. Back downstairs, Cécile and a few friends accent the collection of vases with cuts from the garden and arranged the studio table with the evening’s meal. Cécile served tisanes of mint and rosemary and a recent discovery, organic vodka from Domaines des Hautes Glaces, an alpine farm distillery in the French Alps. A head of lettuce in a shallow pool of water, meant for pulling leaves off and enjoying with the bread. The collection of raku pieces range in color from a light salmon pink to a verdigris-like green. A single vase on a white wooden shelf displays green stems from the atelier garden. As guests arrive, they take a hand-formed ceramic shot glass made especially for the vodka soirée and nestle around the studio table to admire the collection.