That's what friends are for...

I have a great deal of admiration for friends who at 40+ decide to go back to school, so to speak. May it be a language certificate, a specialist's diploma or even a university degree, in any case, you need to be highly motivated and extremely determined to fit studying into your family schedule, especially in a place like Paris where 24 hours just aren't enough for a day to begin with!

Well, there she was standing diligently overlooking the most exquisitely designed room in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs where AD Interieurs was featuring the exhibit “Décors à vivre”.

AD Magazine had joined forces with the Musée des Arts Décoratifs — a natural match, as both institutions are ardent supporters of contemporary creativity in France. This year, 16 carefully selected designers had been offered a wonderful opportunity: to create an interior around a piece from the museum’s collections. Rarely shown, these historic objects, covering a wide spectrum of styles and eras, were integrated into what have been conceived as “live-in decors,” perpetuating the tradition of living art at the museum and in the magazine.

My dear friend having just obtained her interior decorating diploma - and nearly killing herself of exhaustion in the process - had been designated by the world renowned Argentinean architect to vigil over "his room" on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The only catch being the late afternoon hours when standing and telling people off for treading on the vintage carpet or touching the antique objects got a bit exhausting.

Me voilà! Here I am! At her side to cheer her on. Had they allowed beverages at the entrance, I would have had Starbucks biggest special coffee with a shot of extra espresso in my hand! However, at this point a good giggle and plans for the coming weekend would let her sail through the afternoon.

...and I have learnt a few new things about interior decoration. Always comes in handy when you move around the globe a lot... ;)