With so many designers and creatives in my entourage, my interest in print and web design has grown tremendously. I admire them for their talents and their ability to see the world with a graphic eye – in typography, form, color, angle and line (I seem to view the world in chocolate and kittens, not quite the same). Meeting Sarah, the French half of the design company Paper + Cup, simply fed my passion for the skill I lack even further. As it turns out, our creative spirits were a perfect match and we bonded over our respective NY-Paris experiences. She reluctantly returned to France after five years in New York but was excited to discover the new shops, restaurants and hot spots in Paris that opened in her absence.

While she may always be wistful for New York, Sarah came to Paris with an important mission – to bring Paper + Cup overseas and expose the local market, in particular, to letterpress design and custom invitations. Since then, she’s had a lot to celebrate. Sarah’s recent Florence wedding and letterpress invitations (which she designed herself, of course) were featured on the popular wedding site 100 Layer Cake and she just launched an all-French version of Paper + Cup! Happy to have a little French flair on Franco File Friday today….

Describe what you love about France in three words. 
Family, gourmandise, Paris (because pain, vin, fromage is a little too easy!)

The hardest part about returning to Paris after five years in NYC? 
Everything I had to leave behind! I still miss NY, I must admit. I miss the cabs, the shops open 24/7, Central Park, the atmosphere and Minhee, the owner of Paper + Cup and my friend!). I guess you start to feel kind of special when you’re a French girl in NY!

Best spot in Paris for creative inspiration? 
For me, inspiration is everywhere – in the streets, in the subway (cool posters), in certain shops (Colette, or bookstores like La Hune), and museums (like the Grand Palais, Palais de Tokyo, Galerie de Jeu de Paume). The best way for me to get inspired is to walk through the city’s little streets or along the Seine.

Biggest difference between print design in the U.S. + France? 
From my point of view, French print design is, in general, more traditional but less commercial and they keep design quite simple (particularly for posters). US print design is usually more playful and there is less hesitation to take risks. Stationery wise, I think France has an overly traditional style that is either very expensive or very cheap (in a bad way). I really do think that Paper + Cup could bring something new and fresh to the stationery market. We’ve had some amazing feedback so far on our own blog and other blogs written by French people!

Favorite French films?
Some of my favorite movies are French! If you like classic and lighthearted: La Belle et La Bête by Cocteau, Peau d’Ane, Amélie, Delicatessen, and La Cité des Enfants Perdus. Also, I’d remiss not to mention my favorite photographer, Eugène Atget, for his photos of old Paris!

Thanks, Sarah and congratulations on the French site launch! For all your stationery, invitation or design needs no matter where you live, get in touch with the girls at Paper + Cup! They even have an online shop with all kinds of paper goods and accessories which make great gifts. Check out their impressive portfolio, subscribe to their adorable blog Sketchbook (often with great tips/bons plans) and follow their updates on Twitter: @PaperCupEurope and @PaperCupDesign. 


Sarah’s gorgeous wedding photos on 100 Layer Cake HERE.
My guest post on the Paper + Cup blog, Sketchbook HERE.

{Photos courtesy of Sarah Livescault}