European designs have long been accenting the homes of the rich and famous. In La Jolla, the European flavors of French architecture and home decorating can be found at La Maisonnette, a boutique and trading company that has been on Girard since 2001. “We’re dealing with a crowd that’s sophisticated,” owner Portia Marque said. France’s sophisticate meshes nicely with the well-traveled tourist or La Jolla local, she said, as timeless pieces retain a sense of integrity for all sorts of patrons. La Maisonnette combines Southern California finesse and classic European flavors in its shop where one-of-a-kind lamp shades and bases line the walls, 18th century soaps imported from France fill every crevice and aromas of perfumes inspired by the French Riviera fill the room. The venue is a European haven for collectors and home owners alike. Call her the Julia Child of home decorating — French connoisseur Portia has created a French paradise within her seaside home of La Jolla. Just a decade ago this American, who lived in France for 25 years, brought her passion home with her along with husband and French native Jean. Now, the traveling trader brings back her former European lifestyle to the shop, searching for products unfamiliar to American markets that she loved while abroad. “We want to share [these items] with people,” Portia said, adding that at first it was difficult to get such small companies overseas but with her expertise, La Maisonnette made it work. As she tells it, European designers “lead the beat” with nearly everything artistic — a style that transcends time. Like owning a great pair of Chanel shoes, France’s enduring style that the the owners of La Maisonnette have brought back with them — or designed themselves — is built on the same principals as centuries past. “That’s what attracts people [to European design],” she said. “There’s still integrity and they know they’re going to be proud of it.”