The Middle East s architecture, design, interiors + property magazine identity ISSUE 174 YEAR SIXTEEN A MOTIVATE PUBLICATION Art Dubai: Celebrating contemporary creativity now! Vive la France: Ideas and concepts for comforting spaces High FIVE: Yabu Pushelberg's magnificent Dubai debut Lifestyle inspirations: shops, hotels, restaurants and more DHS 25.00 OR 2.70 BD 2.60 SR 25.00 KD 2.10
28 INTERIOR
29 Contemporary masterpiece Renowned French interior designer and purveyor at her new Maison, Sarah Lavoine brings her signature artistic touch to a refined Parisian apartment. TEXT: JOANNE MOLINA PHOTOGAPHY: FRANCIS AMIAND As the reigning queen of Parisian savoir-faire, interior designer and lifestyle and hospitality doyenne Sarah Lavoine has re-imagined contemporary French style. From her unapologetic use of colour to her dedication to craftsmanship, she has won endless global accolades. Perhaps that s why it s no surprise to see how her interior design for the Solférino apartment represents authentic French style in the 21st century. Lavoine s renovation of the 174 m2 Haussmannian apartment, which is nestled in the 7th arrondissement amidst other classically grand town homes, reflected the client s desire for her to give the home an elegant, artistic touch that would help display their contemporary and modern art collection. Each project starts with a moment of shared experience, a conversation. As an interior designer, you enter the intimacy of your clients; you have to be subtle, discreet and understand how human nature works. It requires lots of psychology. First you need to listen. Then you have to find a way between their wishes and what is actually possible, and to bring your expertise while still respecting their taste, says Lavoine. This design philosophy is illustrated in the intricate details of each room. What makes this place different are the geometrical shapes and patterns. This sober apartment has a real character, and each room reflects a different atmosphere, she says. It expresses a new Parisian luxury that is not ostentatious. You can find it in the noble and sober materials and fabrics, she continues. Lavoine has always been inspired by art, as she loves contemporary photography and artworks, which she finds at Kamel Mennour Gallery in Paris. So, when her clients art collectors whose collection spans different periods wanted to be able to welcome their family into this apartment, she was the ideal choice. My idea was to create an open space and make sure kids and family could enjoy living and playing around art, without having to create distance or a reluctance to be in the space. We needed to create open spaces, very contemporary, but welcoming and warm nothing like a museum. In this apartment, we were free to do what we thought would work. It was so exciting! They asked us to maintain a classic vibe with a twist through modern and contemporary furniture. The result was a stroke of genius. Guests enter through a lobby that s bold, breath-taking and makes a strong statement with a geometric patterned floor and a glass ceiling that s an evocation of an artist s loft. The living room features a sofa from Maison Sarah Lavoine, vintage furniture selected by Jacques Hervouet and lighting by Ozone. The chic dining room includes the Pondicherry table by Jasper Morrison, vintage chairs from Galerie Møbler and a black oak point de Hongrie wood floor. The Boffi kitchen also features a SAM dining table and a banquet seating bench from Maison Sarah Lavoine. I try to mix styles whenever I can, and I also mix materials and colours.
30 INTERIOR Colour is my favourite playground. I love how it helps to create emotions - Sarah Lavoine
31
32 INTERIOR
33 This is what drives me. Because I think that a total look is cold and dull also, it may never reflect someone s personality. In order for my clients to feel at home I m working on comfortable and cosy nooks. This is what vibrates in this apartment; embracing colours, deep hues associated with wood and vintage furniture, she says. Still, the project was not without challenges. She needed to create a contemporary feeling without damaging the classic style of the apartment. To do this she relied on colour and texture. Colour is my favourite playground. I love how it COPYRIGHT KARIM SADLI helps to create emotions. Colour will shape a room, [it] gives structure and light. Here, neutral colours give some light and a black stripe is framing the whole room, especially the counter top. In the living room, we chose colours that would highlight the artworks. Furniture is brightly coloured, [there s] blue on the rugs and red on the couches. The master bedroom with a wooden wall, hand-carved by artist Zoe Ouvrier, evokes nature. The guest room is quieter, and discreet. The kitchen is more classic with this typical floor, warm shades and natural stones, Lavoine explains. Her use of texture also allowed her to create dimension. Selecting materials is critical to creating an atmosphere. I like velvet and natural materials, such as walnut. You always need to vary your palette, and avoid using only one tool. This is how I create depth. Her favourite space? Without a doubt, the living room, she muses. There s so much light there. The colours of the furniture are a nice contrast to the white on the walls. The rug on the floor is a masterpiece: it comes from Galerie Diurne and give sense to the whole space. It s really an inspiring piece, evoking the sea. Lavoine, who also did the interior design for Le Roch Hotel & Spa, has invaluable advice for designers looking to transition from interior design to hospitality and lifestyle: Sometimes it s nice to step out of your comfort zone and find new challenges. Follow your gut instinct and respect your identity. This is how you can find a balance that will satisfy your clients and earn their trust. For those who aren t currently residing in a Lavoine-designed residence, good news. Her new design destination, Maison Sarah Lavoine, a historic loft-style shop in Paris 16th arrondissement, has just opened its doors. Its luxe industrial chic design ensures guests will experience everything from her Sarah Bleu wall colour to welcoming rooms that offer everything from textiles, furnishings, tableware, art and accessories to patisserie treats, jewellery and fashion. Here at id, we can t wait to make it our home away from home. ID