Come home to mama

Times like these you just want the warm embrace that only a mother can give. Situated at the 20th district far away from the city hub and tourist spots in Paris is hot, new trendspot Mama Shelter.  Designed by renowned genius Philippe Starck, Mama Shelter is not your typical design hotel slash bar slash lounge that highlights everything hip.  Yes, it does have signature Starck touches such as the tree trunk stools among other quirky displays at the lobby, but most of the design in this boutique hotel had your momma in mind.  It seems like when Philippe Starck designed this place, he had a “mama” thinking cap on.  

And so he decided to use blackboard as ceiling, with “mama” inscriptions all over — like “no TV today,” among other things our mommas always told us — to make us be enveloped with mama sayings.  (And just like mama sayings, we sometimes just let it slip over our heads.)  The place is tres comfy and cool, so cool that Parisiens living in the city’s center have flocked to this area for their dose of anti-cool cool. Whew—who knew having your mom in tow would be the peak of chic?

It’s recession chic at its peak, with mama encyclopedia-trivia (mostly stock knowledge and not Google-d info printed on tarpaulin for the walls of the hotel’s elevator, another Starck signature design front. While in other hotels, the designer would have TV screens with eyes winking at you, here he has Mom giving you a full written review for tomorrow’s final exam.

Some corners of the dining room have photos of Mama’s momma (granny in other words) putting on stockings, rollers, and other things to get her ready for her close-up. The bar has all of Mama’s kitchen equipment displayed and for extra leisure, there are sports entertainment booths scattered around, because when you are home with Mama, you’ll never get bored.

And the bedrooms?  They’re naughty and nice, with basic beds and mirrors side by side segueing into a bathroom that encourages showers for two. If you look closely at the bedside lamps, it’s basic bulbs covered by Batman’s mask.  It is as if Mama knew that deep down you’re not really Superman but a caped crusader in civilian clothes.

So whether the weather be nice or nay, or even if flu symptoms persist, or God forbid your report card shows red, don’t you worry, because Mama is here.