Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: 34 (Margaux) and 32 (Luc).
Occupation: Interior designers.
Instagram: @lallyberger
Hometown: Lyon (Margaux) and Lunéville (Luc).
Studio location: Lyon.
Describe what you make: We are interior designers and defenders of the French “savoir-faire” spirit. In our projects, we aim to find the perfect balance between modernity and bringing forth the true essence and personality of a given space, with the ultimate goal of writing a new chapter in its story while retaining the space’s original character. Working together as a pair, we draw strength from our differences—we assume the eclectic style of our various projects, and readily admit to having quite disparate personalities.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: The Belle Etoile Penthouse Suite at Le Meurice in Paris, for sure! What a fun challenge. It has remarkable 360-degree views of the city, so accentuating its exceptional location was of major importance to us in the interior design process. This project was part of our ongoing collaboration with the iconic landmark hotel, in which we’ve refurbished more than 30 of its rooms and suites since last autumn.
Describe the problem your work solves: In our work, we want to expose our vision of “Art de Vivre”—the art of living and hospitality, and the pleasure of reception. In all our projects, luxury is in every detail—in the material chosen, and the manner in which we work them.
With Le Meurice’s Belle Etoile Penthouse Suite specifically, we wanted to solve the issue of light by discreetly highlighting its interior decor and design with integrated lighting. We worked with three different levels of lighting for creating different atmospheres in each of its bedrooms. Light is key and so important for bringing forth the nuances of a space. An interior design project without good lighting is like a dish without seasoning!
Describe the project you are working on now: A private ‘70s-era house in the French Riviera near the red rocks of Cap Roux, Esterel, that has amazing views and a garden overlooking the sea. It’s not a big house (1,400 square feet), but so charming and inspiring.
We’re continuing to work with Le Meurice to breathe the same new life and energy from our extensive suite renovations now to the hotel’s common spaces with the aim of extending the guest rooms’ refreshed, more modern atmosphere and personality to the property’s other major areas.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: We just designed a new rug for a private client, inspired by the inlay woodwork seen in vintage Japanese umbrellas. Featuring Vosges Oak and wool from Burgundy, where the spinning mill we worked with is also located, it was a 100 percent French process. It’s important for us to work and source our materials locally, and it always leads us to extraordinary encounters with some amazing craftspeople.
What you absolutely must have in your studio: Noise and commotion! We like our studio to have a lively atmosphere, and to have people around us because movement is a major source of inspiration for us. We like spaces full of life!
What you do when you’re not working: Sharing good times with our friends and family, discovering new restaurants, traveling, and taking care of our kids.
Sources of creative envy: The people around us, as well as those we don’t know. We like to imagine their desires, what they’re like in real life, and what could inspire them.
The distraction you want to eliminate: Candy Crush and smoking.
Concrete or marble? Marble.
High-rise or townhouse? Townhouse.
Remember or forget? Remember (Margaux). Forget, just keep going (Luc).
Aliens or ghosts? Ghosts.
Dark or light? Light (Margaux). Dark (Luc).
