Family
A Color-Soaked Californian Dream at Chloé Fleury's
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Chloé Fleury and Mehdi Ait Oufkir with Lula 12, Anouk 10, and Zadig 3 years old
In a world often dominated by neutral tones, it’s not as rare as one might think for The Socialite Family to step into interiors painted in bold, joyful, and vibrant colors. These chromo-enthusiasts form a large, unknowing family — those for whom coloring life is more than just a choice, it’s a way of thinking. For them, this vital need is often paired with its perfect complement: light. Los Angeles seemed like the obvious and ideal choice for Frenchwoman Chloé Fleury and her tribe, who welcome us into their home, open to the pool and, more broadly, to the outdoors — a true reflection of the Californian lifestyle they’ve wholeheartedly embraced: outdoor living. Behind the expansive bay window, days are crafted at child’s height, with treehouses, acrobatic cartwheels, and sunsets over the Pacific. A guided tour of a home where creativity flows, dancing happens, and where light and joy seem to set the tone.
Location
Los Angeles
Author
Elsa Cau
Photos and videos
Anne Demay
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TSF
So, who is Chloé Fleury?
Chloé
I'm a French-born prop stylist, set designer, and paper artist. I moved to San Francisco 16 years ago, and for the past seven years, I’ve been living in Los Angeles with my husband Mehdi and our three kids—Lula, Anouk, and Zadig.
TSF
Tell us about your professional journey.
Chloé
Even as a child, I was obsessed with creating scenes, building little worlds out of cardboard and paper. After studying visual communication in France and graphic design in Canada, I made the move to San Francisco. Inspired by the city’s vibrant colors and eclectic architecture, I dove into paper art. I started freelancing alongside my design agency job, creating illustrations for magazines, then launched my own line of paper wall decor for kids' rooms. When we relocated to LA, things shifted. With the help of an agent, I realized I could channel my paper art skills into prop styling—crafting miniature sets for brands in beauty, food, fashion… I’ve worked with names like Benefit Cosmetics, Sephora, Ugg, McDonald’s, Milk Magazine, and Gap Baby. Over time, I branched out to larger-scale projects, working with materials from paper to wood and sourcing furniture and props from LA’s vintage stores and prop houses.
TSF
A recent project that left a mark?
Chloé
I love the diversity in my work—no two days are the same. Recently, I designed an all-paper summer campaign for Elizabeth Arden, and created a full wooden set for the latest music video by the French band L’Impératrice.
TSF
What kind of environment did you grow up in—and how did it shape your taste?
Chloé
Color was everywhere. Think a purple couch, saffron armchairs, crazy lamps, rainbow-colored vases… My parents were design lovers and my grandfather owned a gallery, so I spent my childhood wandering through flea markets, antique shops, museums, and design boutiques.
TSF
Tell us the story of this home.
Chloé
We found this place in Mar Vista during the pandemic, just 15 minutes from the beach. Our girls were still homeschooling, and schools stayed closed for a year and a half. From the moment we opened the front door, we fell for the high ceilings, open layout, and giant accordion glass doors leading to the poolside garden. After a year packed into a tiny house with three kids, this place felt like pure freedom. It still feels like vacation, even two years later.
TSF
Color is a big part of your life and your work. Why is that?
Chloé
Color makes me happy—it’s that simple. I was raised in a bright, warm environment, and I’ve always chased sunshine. My travels, especially six months in Mexico, and life in California deeply inspire me. Color is my language—it’s how I dress, how I design, how I live.
TSF
When did you move to LA—and why?
Chloé
I first visited California at age ten on a two-month road trip. We landed in San Francisco and drove all the way to Tijuana, then back up through national parks. I fell in love instantly—with the people, the vibes, the sunshine, the palm trees, the wild fashion, the sense that anything’s possible here. I told my parents: “One day, I’m going to live here.” That feeling never left. I always felt I was born in the wrong place. At 24, I packed my bags after landing an internship at a design agency—and never looked back.
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Sculpture by Lane Walkup.
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Multicolored lamp by Entler Studio, Los Angeles.
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Vintage lavender mirror.
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Flower lamp by Mathilde Cabanas.
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"I fell in love instantly—with the people, the vibes, the sunshine, the palm trees, the wild fashion, the sense that anything’s possible here."
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In the living room, our Gioia lamp with a lacquered green wooden base sets the tone!
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TSF
Do the kids love living in this house?
Chloé
They love it! The place is spacious, playful, and colorful. We’ve even turned the space under the stairs into a pink hideout filled with their toys. And the open layout? Perfect for dance parties and cartwheels—12 in a row from the front door to the pool, to be exact (laughs). So yes, they adapted quickly!
TSF
How do you juggle work and family life—and is it different from France?
Chloé
Absolutely. Especially in California, the balance between work and family is a priority. People here value outdoor time, and we wrap work earlier than in France. As a freelancer working part-time, I can spend afternoons with the kids once school ends at 2:30 p.m. (or 6 p.m. if needed). Unless I’m on a major project, we’re out biking, catching sunsets at the beach, or grabbing ice cream with friends. Life here just feels more relaxed—less pressure, more flow.
TSF
Have you done a lot of work on the house?
Chloé
Not really—it was recently renovated when we moved in. We mainly painted the walls and built a custom bench planter behind the pool. That said, I’ve got plans: redoing the fireplace, updating the bathrooms, and turning the mezzanine in Anouk’s room into a dreamy hideout or creative nook.
TSF
What’s been the biggest challenge?
Chloé
Patience. Just finding a contractor who’s interested in a “small” project is hard—everyone in LA wants the big-budget renovations. And once you do find someone, staying on top of the details, managing delays, and making sure things go to plan? A full-time job. My husband and I decided we’re not quite ready—mentally or logistically—for a major reno just yet.
TSF
What kind of vibe were you aiming for here?
Chloé
This house was a blank canvas—and I went full color. Post-Covid, all I wanted was escapism: Mexico, Greece, Frida Kahlo’s house, the blue of the Jardin Majorelle in Morocco… So I painted the stairs (which were black) a bold blue. I wanted pink, but my husband vetoed that—so I negotiated for the pink nook under the stairs (laughs). I started with lighting—pieces I’d been dreaming of for ages—then layered in vintage finds: the Togo and Bertoia Bird chairs, the Vilbert by Verner Panton for Ikea, our dining table... It’s been countless flea markets and antique shops. It’s still evolving—and a real lesson in patience, which is hard for me because I’m wildly impatient. But I’ve got a ton of ideas still to bring to life.
TSF
Any favorite pieces in the house?
Chloé
Definitely the Bertoia Bird chair I found at an antique shop in Long Beach. It’s perfect for my reading corner—great lines, sunset color, and super comfy. I also love the ceramic wall piece with sun and palm trees, found in Venice. Then there’s my hand-woven palm leaf sun sculpture, the LRNCE sun chair... I have a thing for suns, shells, and palms—they’re scattered all around the house. I’m all about falling in love with objects, whether they’re vintage treasures or contemporary pieces by designers I admire. I love mixing it all up.
TSF
Favorite picks from The Socialite Family?
Chloé
The Gioia lamp was the first piece I bought for this house. I love how that green works with the blues and pinks in our living room. It’s timeless and blends with any style. I’m also obsessed with the Rotondo sofa—the tiger and leopard prints are just fabulous.
TSF
And your go-to spots around Venice?
Chloé
We live on the Westside, near Venice Beach, and we’re always out and about. We love biking through Venice and grabbing lunch at Superba, Great White, Gjusta, Chulita, or Win-dow. On weekends, Mehdi and the kids surf, so we hit the beach—Malibu, Leo Carrillo, Marina Del Rey, or El Porto. Sometimes we drive to Laguna to Crystal Cove or Wood Cove. We’re seafood lovers, so we stop for lobster rolls or ceviche at Broad Street Oyster, Malibu Seafood, or Bear Flag Fish. We’re also big on hikes and family picnics—favorite spots include Will Rogers, Malibu Creek, Pacific Palisades, and the Hollywood Hills.
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In the primary bedroom, sunburst-back chair by LRNCE.
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White lamp, Entler Studio, Los Angeles. Bello et Bello wall sconce.
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Le Bleu wall sculpture by Jessica Sellier.
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In the entryway, our Rétrospective book rests on a multicolored vintage chair by Verner Panton for Ikea, from the 1980s.
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