How To Master The Art Of French Interiors, According To 3 Tastemakers
The effortless elegance of French style has long been revered around the world, but how do you incorporate contemporary elements into your space for 2022? Three tastemakers, all well versed in different areas of French design, tell KATIE BERRINGTON how to bring a touch of je ne sais quoi into the home
INDIA MAHDAVI
“French style is about storytelling and the art of living in spaces. It is made of a whole: French style is the French ‘art de vivre’”
“People have to understand that their homes are about living spaces, not only images. It’s all about how your body evolves in the space: where do you want to read, where do you want to sit, where would you like to have a nap, where would you just look at the view?” considers Iranian-French architect and designer India Mahdavi, the visionary behind the whimsical, color-focused interior of many a chic space – including Sketch’s legendary pink restaurant, The Gallery, in London, and the art deco Hôtel Thoumieux in Paris. “You have to see and understand how you want to circulate. A home is a rhythm: in some spaces you want to have a density, and in others, openness; it’s always about emotion.”
For a contemporary take on French style, Mahdavi suggests taking a more relaxed approach to “symmetry, order and hierarchy” and dialing down too much formal grandeur to ensure your space prioritizes the enjoyment of living in it. “Home should be a landscape of things that make you feel good,” she says.
ISABELLE DUBERN-MALLEVAYS
“The French style in decoration is similar to the French style in fashion; it is a luxury that is quite discreet, relatively in control, and seems effortless but sophisticated”
“For me, French style is the search for harmony and a form of softness that I find in spite of the eclecticism of the styles realized by French interior designers, from Laura Gonzalez and Charles Zana to Emmanuelle Simon, Caroline Sarkozy and Thierry Lemaire,” says Isabelle Dubern-Mallevays, a former lifestyle editor, co-founder of The Invisible Collection label and artistic advisor to brands such as Diptyque, who has recently finished designing a pied-à-terre in Paris.
To achieve this harmony, Dubern-Mallevays advises buying “little but well” and, specifically, pieces that are made to last, with “gorgeous fabrics and beautiful materials”. Next, add “art, ceramics, glass, cushions, plaids and other furniture pieces and follow your desires without being afraid to make mistakes. Find your style, without being obsessed with trends.” Given the rich history of French design, she recommends going on a journey of discovery. “Don’t stop reading, learn about the history of decorative arts. On Instagram, look at auction-house catalogues; go to markets and visit museums, such as the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Design Museum.”
In terms of furnishings, “the ultimate goal is to buy some Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann or Jean-Michel Frank reeditions”, she suggests – as well as looking at “Féau Boiseries, who sell the most beautiful wood paneling worldwide from their Parisian ateliers.” As for what to forget, she thinks that it is time to leave grandiloquent chandeliers in the past. “Instead, look at bronze suspensions by Charles Zana, plaster designs by Stephen Antonson or the very chic blown-glass clouds by Jeremy Maxwell Wintrebert. The most beautiful French interiors are those that mix with a form of understated luxury talents from the whole world.”
LAETITIA ROUGET
“I believe in the importance of a ‘petit je ne sais quoi’ to make your interior special and different from others”
For Laetitia Rouget, the designer and artist known for her playful, statement-adorned tableware, this je ne sais quoi of French style comes from finding a balance. “I love to balance colors, collect old and new objects, and mix it up with all sorts of things I have collected through the years. Mixing objects and making a space personal for me is key – and I love, of course, a little bit of humor and secret messages.”
Storytelling is also an important element of her design process. “I like to think about a home as a place that is telling the story of the person living in it. This is why it’s not so important to have a lot of things, but to carefully select what you think is key for you. Personally, I love to collect unique objects and to mix them with a few statement pieces.
“Taste is something subjective,” she concludes, advising not to become absorbed with following ‘rules’ of French style, but to “make them your own” instead. “Dare to be different, to push your dreams to their limits. A beautiful home is one that comes from the heart, so try to buy pieces that you will cherish for years to come.”