A House in Nantes Where the Emphasis Is on Unique Pieces and the Right Combinations

Originally from the Aveyron, I lived in Paris for several happy years. Now I live in Nantes! I have two wonderful daughters, Louise and Violette, aged 20 and 15. I’m lucky enough to be passionate about my job. I furnish homes, offices and public places. I also work with brands and designers as an art director. In the last few years, I’ve started to photograph still life, the natural world, and also portraits where you can barely make out the faces.

I started working in the world of communication in Paris, and then, quite naturally, to feed my passion for it, I turned to vintage furniture. In 2009, I created one of the very first websites selling vintage furniture, Edmond, named after my grandfather. He and I started bargain-hunting together when I was a child. At the same time, I derived enormous pleasure from designing and renovating the houses where we lived.

I grew up in Aveyron with a mother who loved “beautiful things” and I was never far from a gifted painter aunt. I suppose that’s when my eye started to be educated. I quickly became attracted to unusual objects and different atmospheres. That’s when I realised that beauty was good for me.

I try not to do anything like that. For the moment, they have their own tastes and their own worlds. Maybe I dragged them around the flea markets and photographed them a bit too much when they were little, so we’ll have to see. (Laughs)

I hunt a lot for second-hand stuff, both for my clients and for myself. I often start with a strong piece, in this case, the Camaleonda sofa by Mario Bellini, and build a story around this first element. I only work on a whim! It’s often the lighting that sets the tone. I choose the lights very carefully, a lamp base in stone, sandstone perhaps.

That I like to hunt out forgotten objects, pieces that are out of the ordinary, but also create a warm and reassuring atmosphere.

I love the living room and its superbly graphic travertine coffee table; I found it at Emmaüs. However, the real luxury – and joy of this house – is the wood-burning stove I had installed. We tend to curl up around it to read, or meet near it for an impromptu drink before dinner.

For bargain hunting, there’s the Viarmes flea market every Saturday morning. I love the carefully selected pieces at Barak, Lionel and Maison Simone. Mira is a must for the selection of graphic art and unique works.

I met Constance during the first report she did on us seven years ago. Since then, I’ve been following The Socialite Family closely, especially the range of furniture and accessories. I really like them, and they go perfectly with vintage items.

Currently, I’m starting work on a very challenging and inspiring project to furnish wineries and châteaux in Switzerland. I’m in charge of decorating the offices of Lhyfe, a start-up in Nantes, and I’m still working with André Renault, a manufacturer of top-of-the-range bedding.