The Brands, Products & Places A Design Expert Swears By
When it comes to design, the South of France is probably my greatest source of inspiration. It is deeply connected to my family and to holidays, and it is a place where I naturally slow down and take more time to observe what surrounds me. The light, the colours, the landscapes, the old houses and the use of natural materials all inspire me. What I particularly love is the authenticity of the interiors. You find pieces that have been there for years, objects collected over time, different materials and periods living harmoniously together.
In Dubai, you can usually find me at my studio, Maison Aimée, which is always full of inspiration, enjoying the Tutti Frutti Fine Sorbets from AfricanQueen, having long meals with family at Tashas, or, when I’m feeling sporty, heading to Matcha Club.
Three interior brands everyone needs to know are CMO Paris, Ballauff and Maison Thévenon. CMO Paris creates extraordinary fabrics and wallcoverings using natural and vegetal materials. Materials and craftsmanship are at the heart of everything they do. Ballauff specialises in blinds, also working with natural materials and bringing a very refined approach. Maison Thévenon is a historic French fabric house that I appreciate for its use of colour and bold patterns. All three are represented at Maison Aimée, alongside a selection of other beautiful French brands. For more furniture-based pieces – I always go back to The Invisible Collection, specifically items from India Mahdavi, Christian Liaigre and Pierre Chareau.
Lighting plays a huge role in any home or office space – I love my Dion Giovanni Lamp by India Mahdavi – a beautiful bohemian glass lighting piece with a brass foot. I bought it several years ago and it has followed me ever since. Otherwise, I always enjoy going to I Light You. The selection is very considered, and I almost always discover a designer or a piece I hadn’t come across before.
When it comes to sourcing carpets I would have to say Maison Aimée is a top choice to find a unique piece as I am developing our first rug collection directly with artisans in India. We are exploring different natural fibres, textures, colours and traditional techniques, with the idea that a rug should feel truly connected to the space it was made for. I think rugs have an incredible ability to transform a room. They bring warmth, anchor the furniture and change the way a space feels almost instantly.
An artist currently on my radar is Lebanese poet and visual artist Etel Adnan. I love her universe, the apparent simplicity of her work, its strength and, above all, her incredible use of colour. There is something very emotional about her paintings. They can be composed of relatively simple forms, yet the colours give them such presence and energy. I would love to own one of her works one day.
When it comes to coffee table books, I love anything from Assouline for its beautiful photography and timeless design. But my all-time favourite is Album du Musée Rodin by Isabelle Collet, published by my favourite museum in Paris, the Musée Rodin.
The under-the-radar homeware brand I’m obsessed with is Saints Pères, a French porcelain house rooted in craftsmanship. I discovered the pieces at Tanagra in Dubai and really love its approach. The Tanagra boutique itself is also worth visiting. Laura Gonzalez, a French designer whose work I absolutely love, designed it.
My favourite hotel is Lily of the Valley in Gigaro, near St.Tropez. I love its relationship with the landscape and the way the architecture feels completely integrated into its surroundings. It is luxurious but has a relaxed atmosphere that I find very inspiring.
Three restaurants everyone must visit once are Chez Camille in Ramatuelle, Jaïs in Paris and Le Piaf in Dubai. They are three completely different places, but each one is connected to a city, memories and moments in my life that I love. For me, that is often what makes you return to a restaurant – not only the food, but everything you associate with being there.
A statement wallcovering is one of the easiest ways to instantly elevate a home. It can completely transform a room's atmosphere, adding texture, colour, and character while telling a story from the moment you walk in. I particularly love wallcoverings made from natural materials, as the subtle imperfections and variations make every wall feel unique.
My favourite design city is Paris, which I find endlessly inspiring because history and contemporary creativity are constantly interacting. You can move from a Haussmannian apartment to a contemporary gallery, an Art Deco restaurant or an incredible hôtel particulier, and somehow it all belongs to the same city. The mix of periods, decorative arts, attention to materials and architectural details you notice everywhere is endlessly inspiring.
Le Bon Marché in Paris is my favourite department store. I love that it is such an iconic and historic Parisian institution, while still feeling very contemporary. It constantly showcases emerging artists and new talents, which makes it a place I always find inspiring.
My everyday fashion uniform is a pair of Agolde jeans, an A.P.C. T-shirt or blouse and Céline shoes – simple, comfortable and easy to wear every day. I always like to finish the look with a beautiful piece of jewellery, and Ivarene is currently a favourite. I love jewellery that feels personal, that you can wear every day and that naturally becomes part of you.
My dream home splurge would be a swimming lane in the middle of a flower garden. I love the contrast between something very architectural and functional and a garden that feels abundant and almost wild. Swimming surrounded by flowers and greenery would be my idea of absolute luxury.
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