Family
In the Heart of the Dordogne Countryside, Two Artists have their Family Refuge
At
Natacha Birds and Noar, Noa 10, Abel 6 years old
A specific idea of happiness. This is what we will remember when we leave the house that belongs to Natacha Birds, Noar and their two boys! Settled in Périgueux after a spell in Barcelona, the family seems to have found its bearings. A house tucked away in the heart of the countryside, spotted during a business trip and bought a few years later with the intention of building a peaceful little world for themselves. And colourful, too! Colour is one of their favourite means of expression, both in their work – Natacha is an artist, while Noar, a tattooist, works under the pseudonym Noar Noar – and in their decorative schemes. A way of embracing the 1970s aspect of the spaces by “going all out (…) starting with orange and pink and then installing Californian blinds”, and which is expressed right down to the choice of finishes for the appliances in the open kitchen. The colourful “link” between this room and the living room, another focal point of their interior. This attention to detail is a telling illustration of their absolute need for harmony, whether it is visual, because it is essential to their creativity, or the harmony they feel between them. As close-knit as they are complementary, the couple and their children function happily as a tribe. The two Parisian natives, who are partners in life as well as in business, will soon open their second home, MaisonBirds, together. You will be able to experience their unique world in this shop combining art, workshop, café and tattoo parlour from the beginning of October.
Location
Périgueux
Author
Caroline Balvay
Photos and videos
Eve Campestrini
TSF
Natacha, Noar: can you introduce yourselves, please?
Natacha
I’ve been on social media for 10 years now under the name Natacha Birds. I have always been attracted to art, and today I make it my profession through painting, pottery, photography and tufting with my husband as a colleague and partner! I’m also a mum of two little boys. We live in the Dordogne in a house we love.
Noar
My real name is Dhinesh, and I am a tattoo artist working under the pseudonym Noar Noar. Like Natacha, I love art. Whether it is ceramics, screen printing and anything to do with handmade art. I am a lover of colour, shadows, typography and textures. Night is probably the element that inspires me most in my work.
TSF
What is your background?
Natacha
After college, I went to Auguste Renoir, a school of applied arts in Paris. I continued my studies there until I graduated with a degree in web design. When I finished my studies, I got a job as a web designer. I started my own business quite soon after the birth of my first son. That’s when I discovered the blogosphere and then Instagram. Several years later, my first love, painting, returned at full gallop. Iʼd often find it hard to place myself in the middle of it all!
Noar
My background is in micro-technology and engineering. I discovered the world of art schools through meeting Natacha. We were 16 years old, and it was then – when I picked her up after school – that I said to myself: “Damn, this is what I want to do too!”. So one day, I dropped everything and joined her. We’ve been working together for 10 years now. Although I don’t have a background in formal art education, I’m doing my dream job!
TSF
Tell us about your education. Where did you grow up – and therefore develop your taste?
Natacha
I come from départements 92 and 95. I was born in Colombes and grew up between Bezons and Argenteuil. My family is not really involved in the arts, but they have supported me from the beginning. It was they who got me into the big competitions; they were the ones who supported me in purchasing materials, and today, they are the ones who are there for me whenever a new project sees the light of day. I feel very lucky and grateful to have loved ones who understood my love for art and did everything to allow me to get into it, to be brave!
Noar
I’m from the 93rd département, from Bobigny. I donʼt come from an arty family either, but I discovered graffiti at a young age, and I started doing it when I was 13-14 years old. It really is my first love, and I still feel its influence today in my work.
TSF
Designers, artists, authors: whose work has had a particular influence on you, your work as a painter?
Natacha
The paintings of Hilma Af Klint and Georgia O’Keeffe. Christian Bobin’s writings, Miyazaki’s films, Oxmo Puccino’s lyrics.
Noar
Japanese anime like Amer Beton, and the works of Pierre Soulages.
TSF
Where does this fascination with the female body and flowers come from? Colours are not only a central element of your work; they are also an integral part of your style. What do they mean to you?
Natacha
In my mind, every woman is a flower. Each woman has her own flower. There is the notion of aestheticism and poetry, and then the notion of plurality and diversity. Like flowers, we all have our own carnal and emotional characteristics. I wanted a concept that would reveal femininity while preserving the woman, one that would be similar to a tale or a legend. With her hybrid nature, the woman-flower is a symbol of communion between humankind and nature, as well as of a peaceful struggle against patriarchy. Each painting I create represents a chapter in my story, from the birth of the woman-flower to her empire. Pairing a flower with a body is not just a matter of desire or colour. Itʼs all about analysis, observation, feeling, and a bit of intuition too
TSF
How have you managed to integrate them into your decor, from the walls in the living room to the appliances in your kitchen?
Natacha & Noar
It took us a long time to understand this house. The 1970s aspect came back each time but was still rather timid! Only the fireplace and its seat had a strong resonance. So one day, we decided to go all out by going for orange and pink, installing vertical blinds and being more daring with colours! There was one difficulty, however: the kitchen opened onto the living room. As the two rooms communicate, they had to work together without being monochrome. So we were much less daring with the colours in the first one because we wanted to tone it down a bit. To create a “link” between the two, we chose an orange carpet, a ceiling light and above all, the Bespoke modular and customisable fridge in a cotta lavender shade. It reminded us of the wall in our living room and therefore fitted in perfectly with our decor. Our famous link was found! And that’s for a long time to come, because the Bespoke’s evolving design allows it to adapt to our current needs, making it a room that resembles us, both beautiful and durable.
TSF
Apart from these, what else do you need to feel good – to be able to create at home?
Natacha & Noar
Harmony! But softness, too, a living room that is bathed in light, a place filled with reminders of our travels but where each element has its place. To create, everything around us has to be tidy; otherwise, it does our heads in. Letting your imagination run wild becomes impossible.
TSF
Which room best reflects you?
Natacha
For me, our bedroom. Itʼs a place where I feel soothed. I could stay there for days on end! I love the view of the forest, the en-suite bathroom, the sky wall. And then there’s the greenhouse, if you can call that a room!
Noar
The kitchen! Everything flows. It’s a place I love, also because I love to cook.
TSF
What does The Socialite Family mean to you?
Natacha & Noar
Things that are right!
TSF
Where will we find you in the coming months?
Natacha & Noar
At MaisonBirds (@MaisonBirds)! Our shop – art – workshop – café – tattoos – which opens in early October in Périgueux. A place where we can sell our creations, run workshops, tattoo you, or we can drink a coffee together!
