How did you find this apartment and discover its story?

I was looking for a new place to establish my work and my family. I visited several places in Paris center, and I always had a preference for St Germain-des-Près, in particular. At the same time, my sister was looking for a new home for her family and sent me this off-market opportunity. When I visited it for the first time, I immediately knew it would be the one: its location, its space, its main angle window like a half-moon, and its story were still present! All rooms and furniture were frozen in time for 40 years, serving as a psychoanalyst cabinet.

How was it when you bought it, and what kind of renovation did you make?

Each room was painted in intense colors, patinated by a patient of the Doctor who spent two years achieving this impressive work. You can feel the nevrose of the painter. The flat was quite like a trip in his mind. All classical decorative cornices on the ceiling and walls were intact since Haussmann. I liked it, I hesitated for a while to keep it the same way until my youngest son said to me he didn’t want to live in a Munch’s Painting! From this, I decided to renovate the flat and starting to think about it, I renovate it all.

The allure of YSL influenced in any way your restyling or the mood of the apartment?

I met Yves at the end of his life. I like his sense of detail and timeless elegance. I do exactly like he did. I create a perfectly new piece of art in my own mindset.

What are the newest products you are showing on the occasion of M&O?

I have several strong pieces in work, some are still in progress.
I will show two new chandeliers: Météore and Infinie Cascade, an amazing moon alabaster bracket lamp and two new pieces from the Pool Coffee Table collection.

How many square meters and how many rooms are there?

The apartment is 205m2 with 7 rooms.

Did you change the original layout?

Yes, the first idea was to create perspectives. We specially work on the entrance with a half- circular room inspired by “Pierre Charreau : bureau d’un ambassador”. We redid all circulation in link with all windows and created new. The name of the place is a FOG, Flat Office Gallery. These three functions have their own places and share some parts.

Did you maintain any original elements ?

We discovered a beautiful limestone wall and decided to keep it. The rest is totally new.

What are the most interesting aspects of this apartment, in your opinion?

Its main half-moon window in the corner of Bd St Germain and rue de Seine is a strong and original element. It makes of this flat a unique place in Paris. Natural light, a sweet seasonal presence of the sun. Corridors circulation going from entrance to mains rooms, with mirror effects.

What’s the room you like the most?

The kitchen/dining/discussing room, where I always work from, organize my meetings, and have dinners with family and friends.

Due to the fact that this is your house and also your showroom, do you change the setting often?

I always try my new pieces, Emotion is great matter for every new concept. Living with pieces before selling it, to be sure of the quality we send to clients, a day to day real pleasure !
Presenting new pieces in the FOG is always the time to improve their story telling.
Life is motion; I always move things, create, and imagine new pieces. Sometimes I create in the flat, like my last carpet in the living room, paint on a paper in scale 1 in the middle of the main room.

Can we call this house your manifesto, and if so, why?

If I can dare: let’s say that I prefer not to declare any manifesto. What is “manifest” is the questioning, renewal of sensations each time people discover pieces. When you come into my house, I certainly consider how you react, what are your emotions. I do not intend making any pre-decided feeling. What a beauty to realize how people feel when surprised, breathing differently ! I’ve been searching, sometimes founding, and hope I can keep this energy for next decades.

You are very keen on materials, worked with craftsmanship and technology; could you tell us, in this house, where this passion is more in evidence?

When I started as a designer I was inspired by JM FRANK and Jacques Emile Ruhlmann. They lived in their time – I try so. Our time is a time of technology and as an engineer I’m not afraid by complexity. Taking the best of each time for creating new pieces.
In this house, the passion for materials, craftsmanship, and technology is evidence. The seamless fusion of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology is in every detail, creating a space that is both timeless and forward-looking. Technology, craftmanship are tools. They instantly disappears as soon as it served the design.

How many people live in this apartment?

We are 4

Any nice anecdotes about this house?

One charming anecdote involves discovering the dedicated by Yves saint Laurent happy new year posters to his doctor and friend. He found new words each year to say his love and gratefulness.

December 2023