Table Topics

Last month I packed a picnic, a Thyme tablecloth, and headed to see the cherry blossoms in Parc Sceaux with photographers Krystal Kenney and Ainsley Duyvestyn-Smith. It was my first time to lay eyes on so many of these ephemeral beauties in full bloom. It was absolutely mesmerizing and I officially understand the obsession and festivals in honor of this tree. This was also my first time to meet Ainsley, a Kiwi, and to truly get to know Krystal, a fellow American expat, who I briefly worked with on a project for Sacre Bleu Paris.

My love for grassy and beach picnics matches my love for dinner parties. Really it's the same thing but the grass or the sand becomes your table after you spread a blanket or tablecloth. There is beauty in the primitive nature of picnics. Formalities are thrown out and we allow ourselves to relax and bask in Mother Nature's decoration while we spend time chatting, laughing, drinking and nibbling. 

This Summer we are launching Madame de la Maison's Paris Picnics. We want to make life easy and beautiful if you are visiting Paris or have friends in town and want to get together in the park. There are various packages to choose from starting at 45euros a person. You can keep it simple and let us pack a picnic for you or go all out add linens and create chic memories for life with pro pics by Ainsley or Krystal. They will pop by and capture the perfect images for your trip or even your special occasion. (I am speaking to you lovers and ladies). 

Shoot me an email at ajiri@madamedelamaison.com to inquire more about our Paris Picnics. In the meantime enjoy and go Pinterest crazy on these pics from Krystal to inspire your next picnic in Paris.

Bisous xx, Ajiri 

Early last Fall after months of plotting and planning we finally received our samples, packed the car up and headed to Normandy. We shot our launch collection in a little town outside of Argentan at Chateau Tercey, a beautiful 18th century home restored by Brenda Knight. It was the perfect backdrop to bring together new and old with our linens and antiques. We'll share more on the chateau later, but for now have a look through for a little color inspiration.

Bonjour! Ajiri Aki here and I created Madame de la Maison because celebration is in my DNA. I am Nigerian and my folks love to party. Their guest list is full of family, friends, and party crashers. As long as there's food, music and good vibes, they’re happy. As a Nigerian girl raised in Austin, Texas I was happily and sometimes begrudgingly shuffled from birthday parties to baptisms, dinner parties, and weekly gatherings. In fact, every Saturday we dressed up and headed to meet other Nigerians. I learned from an early age there is power in gathering around a table and sharing with others.

After university I moved to New York where I worked as a stylist and on fashion exhibitions for the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of the City of New York. At this time, I found a group of Mexican girls with a similar DNA. Mexicans love a good celebration too! The ten years I lived in New York were full of wine-filled weekly festivities. Every Thursday no matter what was happening in my life, I met with my latin crew for Juevesitos: food, drinks, dancing, chats and lots of Spanish. Every week a different person in the group volunteered their apartment. The evenings bled into nights and we had such a wonderful time. Some of the happiest and most memorable moments of that decade took place on a Thursday.

I left New York and moved to Paris after getting my masters from Bard College in decorative arts and design history. I co-authored my first book, Where’s Karl? (Random House/Clarkson Potter), a New York Times best seller, and gave birth to two children. Paris brought me many treasures but I have missed that sense of community and joy that I derived from weekly fellowship with others. So I am bringing it back!!

I am putting the spotlight on the table and helping others do the same.  I want to encourage you to gather around the table and celebrate life with beautiful things whenever possible. 

I'm looking forward to this journey and hearing any ideas and suggestions from you. Feel free to reach out to me at ajiri@madamedelamaison.com.