A party at Elle’s Boutique brings sensuality to the holiday season – Wired PR Lifestyle Story

NewsReport December 16, 2021

1 7 minutes read

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How I gather

Gathering people around a table is the greatest passion of our lives and we believe that food is one of the most powerful tools for connection. But what makes a meeting meaningful? In our series, How I gather to answer that question we go into the scenarios of our chefs, foodies and favorites. See everything

She’s completely in touch with her sensuality, she laughs easily and loves beautiful things, and she has a magnetism that only a few who don’t try can contain … am I describing the muse that inspired her? Elle’s Boutique, or the owner herself, Elle Florescu? You decide. Sometimes there is a creator who embodies the brand they have created so much that it’s hard to know where one stops and the other starts.

Florescuk opened the doors to Elle’s Boutique, an Austin-based store that celebrates a “modern representation of pleasure and intimacy” at the start of the pandemic, and as a result, the year everyone stays home is not a bad time to launch a brand. which speaks louder intimate harassment. When it came to designing the space, he first imagined how people wanted to feel when their doors came in.

“I wanted the space to feel like a living room in Milan in the 1970s; despite being a retail concept, I wanted people to feel like they were inspired by a quiet meeting that was inspired, curious and playful. There’s always a nice pink-cooled bottle, a cheerful atmosphere and the promise of a suggestive conversation. ”

To celebrate a festive season, Elle invited some friends to the store holiday cocktail party with simple but decadent bites, egg-shaped and seasonal amusements. Go for the elegant details of the party (including the recipe for the olive oil cake) and for a big gathering to see its secret. Tip: It involves adventure.

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Elle Florescu, owner of Elle's Boutique in Austin TX

How do you plan to organize a meeting?

For me, it’s diversity: I like to bring different minds together. Actually, I’m not a planner, but the beauty of our location is that we live next to some favorite local restaurants. I can grab some delicious Swedish Hill cheese and charcuterie or a dozen oysters from Clark’s across the street. In terms of drinks, we like it tie a cocktail for special occasions; otherwise, simple cocktails and pink.

Tell us about Elle’s Boutique bungalow: it’s a huge space.

The bungalow was built in the 1930’s, and it looked completely different when we bought it. Seeing its limited footprint, we had to dress with a sense of grandeur, so we raised the ceilings, tore down most of the walls, and placed the skylights and arches.

It is defined by the different emotional experiences I wanted to evoke in each space within the form. In the main room, I wanted the customer to feel curious, playful and comfortable, which is why we designed the living room to feel as much as possible.

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Much of the inspiration came from the Milanese architect and designer Vincenzo De Cotiis – thick colors, rich textures, custom furniture. We used deep blue plaster for the main retail site, a kitchen terracotta plaster, both by Sloan Houser. Custom or vintage furniture predominated. In the main space, the pendant light is a Poulsen one Sputnik Dallas. The two front LC3 chairs I found in 1stdibs are from Le Corbusier for Cassina. The four burgundy chairs in the Cassina cabin were given to me by my mother.

a beautiful store with lingerie and flowers at elle's boutique in austin

The dressing room was designed to be a space of security, sexuality and luxury. I wanted people to relax in this space, not to feel rushed. The lighting, the custom-designed mohair sofa, the sleek shearling rugs all helped in that sense of sensual performance. There is no top light, the back mirror is illuminated to create a flattering glow, and all the lights are in a dimmer. My favorite element of the entire space is the paint used in the locker room. The light is reflected from a high-gloss red lacquer paint to create the light shine of Fine Paints of Europe. A vintage bar cart that is always stocked keeps people quiet and entertained. All the senses want to take care of it here.

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Red roses, buffet spreads, holiday party with Elle’s Boutique in Austin

What do you think of a great gathering?

Adventure as an interview or activity. I like to be rooted in a meeting or something very specific, or to be completely indifferent. Either way, a meeting should be considered. If you are anchored in an activity, an outdoor paella picnic can be a great meal or a game of dice after a group bike ride.

Even a one-on-one meeting can still be thoughtful; for me, the simple and the intentional should be together. Everything is in the details: wonderful cheese, considered bowls, music, smells.

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Give it to us on an ordinary day.

I usually wake up around 8:00 and go to bed, shivering with our two dogs. I love this hour in the morning; I feel calm and at ease. My boyfriend Larry puts on a record and we have coffee together in our backyard, in our two chairs. This ends pretty suddenly when I realize I’m late for something: a workout, a meeting, and so on. I certainly don’t have a work day uniform; the same goes for anyone who works in the store. Freedom of speech is very important to me. Sometimes they are loose pants and a T-shirt, other times they look like a leather dress. My mood informs me of my attire, and it can be anywhere from casual androgynous, to accusations, to mismatched socks.

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They are different almost every day, and what I love most is what I do. I usually try to do a little creative work and some repair work. Mornings begin with some sort of design or development meeting. I am currently involved in a bar project in Aspen with MML and a hotel concept that will open in March. Then I go to the store with my team to touch the base. We’ll look at inventory needs, marketing initiatives, upcoming photo shoots, event bookings, and depending on the year, we’ll have a zoom market appointment with a vendor. In the evenings, at Quickbooks, I try to allow some time to get into the financial plan and keep up to date with email. I enjoy being in the store in the evening and early in the morning to see customers and talk to friends who pass by.

The afternoons are spent cooking at home and relaxing with Larry. Or, if it’s in the middle of a restaurant opening, I’m probably in the restaurant for the tenth night in a row with friends. I tend to be hesitant between extremes; there is seldom an intermediate.

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olive oil cake and cheese dishes on holiday cocktails at buffet at Austin Elle Boutique

What do you drink and eat in the morning?

Coffee or lemonade, but mostly lemonade. I swear I am the only adult who asks for lemonade in Swedish Hill this morning. I’m not really a breakfast person, but if I’m hungry, I crawl on my panties for nuts or beef. I know I have weird breakfast habits …

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What are the 3 products you love for the table?

I love the subtle elegance Tracie Hervy pottery and Carriere Freres candles. Heather Rosenman of LA also creates these extraordinarily beautiful vases. He is a talented artist inspired by images of the ancient Cyclades. I am drawn to the bodily nature of his pieces; They look magnetic to me.

What is your essential kitchen tool?

A cutting board and a sharp knife. They can be functional and beautiful at the same time.

Your favorite cookbook?

The River Café London, Thirty Years of Recipes edition. The recipes are inspiring and simple, and the cookbook is a love letter to a restaurant built jointly by Ruth Rogers and her now-deceased partner Rose Gray. It is a chronicle of their memories, victories and joy. Every time I read Ruth’s letter in the foreword, I feel her passion for her partner and dear friend and the amazing journey they began together. It really is a story of friendship and adventure.