Meet Artist Therese Allebe Ambrose; Collecting Vintage French Textiles; Summer Style Curated by The Paris House; Books for Art & Travel Lovers; Binge-Worthy Series
People We Meet Along The Way
Artist Therese Allebe Ambrose
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you became an artist.
Where were you born?
I was born in an ambulance in Brussels, Belgium. We couldn't reach the hospital in time because the city was being bombed by the Germans. That was on December 4, 1944.
I came to New York City in June 1965, planning to stay for just one year. But I ended up making New Jersey my home.
When did you realize you wanted to be an artist?
My love of painting started in kindergarten, as soon as I was given colored paper and crayons.
My first paintings were of dogs. I was 7 years old.
Therese Allebe Ambrose
What is your style of art?
I paint in an impressionist and abstract style.
What inspires you?
My uncle, August Allebe, inspired me. He was a talented painter and teacher in Amsterdam, Holland.
How many languages do you speak?
I speak three languages: French, English, and Flemish.
Do you still have family in Belgium?
I still have family in Belgium and France. Sadly, my parents, brother, and sister all passed away too soon.
What is your favorite city?
Paris is one of my favorite cities, but I also love exploring different countries and discovering new places.
Tell us a little bit about your career.
I stopped painting in my early twenties because it wasn’t enough to support myself.
After working as an accountant for 25 years, I decided to quit and return to school. I studied at the Art Students League in New York City and the New York School of Interior Design. It felt like heaven.
I know how special Maine is to you; can you tell us about that?
Maine means a lot to me. Every summer, I rented a house in Owls Head, right by the ocean.
In Maine, I spent my days painting and taking the ferry to different islands. My favorite was Monhegan Island.
What are some of your favorite museums and artists?
Some of my favorite museums are the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, where I enjoy seeing paintings by Bonnard and Édouard Vuillard. I also love the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which has some of my uncle’s paintings.
What hobbies do you enjoy?
I enjoy making flower arrangements, working in my small outdoor garden, decorating my cottage, and traveling whenever I can.
Collecting
Vintage French Textiles
Reupholstering in vintage French brocade fabric not only can give a fresh, modern take but also adds a touch of tradition to your space. Repurposing fabrics is a great way to add a unique, one-of-a-kind design to a room, creating a perfect blend of modernity and history.
The shop owner acquired this unique vintage fabric many years ago at a textile show, possibly originating from the Lyon region of France, an area renowned for its exquisite textiles.
Designed in a French heavy satiny silk brocade, tone on tone, weaved feuillages (foliage) motifs!
A New England Summer
Curated by The Paris House
By the Lake
Curated by Paris House
For the Girl with Impeccable Style
Curated by Paris House
For the Little Sailors
Curated by Paris House
The Italian Summer
Curated by Paris House
Sunday Bookshelf
The Shoemaker’s Wife
By Adriana Trigiani
A lovely read that I wished would never end.
We Are Experiencing a Slight Delay
By Gary Janetti
A witty, humorous and slightly snobby book on travel adventures that will have you laughing out loud.
The Joy of Cooking
By Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker, Ethan Becker, John Becker, and Megan Scott
A classic cookbook that generations have embraced and learned the craft of cooking from.
The Goldfinch
By Donna Tart
A heart wrenching profoundly beautiful masterpiece.
People We Meet on Vacation
By Emily Henry
One of the most fun books I have ever read, especially if you love to travel.
Vacationland
By Meg Mitchell Moore
A family’s secret unfolds in idyllic Maine, a great summer read.
Brunch at Bobby’s
By Bobby Flay
A cookbook that delivers one easy delicious recipe after another straight to your table.
Chez Panisse Café Cookbook
By Alice Waters
Alice led the fresh food to table mission in the States and created a restaurant phenomenon in the process. Dining at Chez Panisse, in Berkeley CA, remains one of the most evocative glorious food experiences of my life.
To Binge Watch
Midnight at Pera Palace
A fascinating and educational series especially as I stayed at Pera Palace in Istanbul Turkey.
Bridgerton
Visually beautifully and delightfully scandalous.
The Gilded Age
As I have been to many of the locations filmed in the series it’s only fitting that my curiosity would lead me to watch.
Emily in Paris
I love Paris, I love fashion so obviously this is a must.
House of Dragons
I never realized how much I like dragons, drama and battlefields!!!
Paris House Dinner Party Book Club
Continue Reading
Collecting: Vintage French Textiles & Nantucket Lightship Baskets
Explore timeless craftsmanship, historic textiles, heirloom collections, and the stories behind beautiful objects that inspire artful living.
Out and About London: Marie Antoinette Style at the Victoria & Albert Museum
Discover fashion, decorative arts, museum treasures, and an unforgettable cultural experience inspired by one of history's most iconic figures.
Sunday Bookshelf
Browse thoughtfully curated books, audiobooks, and binge-worthy series for readers who love travel, history, art, architecture, and culture.
Travel Planning Services by The Paris House
Let The Paris House create a personalized journey featuring world-class museums, artist villages, historic homes, boutique hotels, exceptional dining, and inspiring cultural experiences.
