French Quartiers

Artistic Endeavours

Montparnasse, loosely translated as Mouse Mountain in French is home to Victor Koulbak, French artist.

Born in Moscow, this artist now resides in this three room structure in France. The three main rooms consisting of a sitting room, bedroom, and studio.

In the sitting room, Koulbak has some of the great masters work displayed on the walls. The artist would never display his own work, stating that the masters have so much to learn from.

On this writing table is a Michaelangelo reproduction piece of sculpture. To the right is a small bird cage where ortolans ( buntings ) would be kept to fatten for the gourmet's menu. The detail of the fresco tromp l' oeil swag as well as the mouldings at ceiling height add depth.

In the studio, the feature is the three arches inspired by Fra Angelico's famous Annunciation painting.

For Koulbak, the goal is to create beauty. Throughout the home, I love the stucco inspired walls and layers upon layers of color and a worn feel.

A better view of the loft area in the studio.

Open to sunlight as well as gauzy fabric and plantings.

The artwork is very light and almost sketchy in composition. The main features in the painting have the muted color and detail as the focal point.

This particular finish is a favorite of mine. Actually it came to be quite by accident as layers of wallpaper and paste was removed and color added to the wall. The end result was a worn, uneven look of aged stucco and color. The objects were flea market finds and collections added to for years and years.

A small but well stocked bed room also has a neutral aged wall look as well as hand painted lines and shapes. Religious icons as well as decorative onjects mix into the decor of the room. The painting over the bed is Koulbaks copy of Leonardo's drawing.

A pine armoire at another corner of the room stands with a Florentine bust perched on the top of the cabinet. More religious icons add to the collection as well as the artefacts around the bust and crosses.The diving wall between bed room and studio are a pair of Hungarian eighteenth - century spiral mahogany columns. The chair is another find from a local charity gift shop.

The night stand to the left of the bed. A trunk as a night stand topped with antique clock and older religious icon paintings.

A different bedside table and topped with cross and religious items. In the mix are pieces of pine from Spain and Swedish descent. A worn warm tone is the result of a little wax, topping the worn pine floors are Persian old rugs, scratched and battered leather chairs are not only comfy but fit into this rustic yet elegant retreat.

Studio of Victor Koulbak in Monparnasse France