Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: 46
Occupation: Founder and CEO of Maison Sarah Lavoine
Instagram: @maisonsarahlavoine
Hometown: Paris
Studio location: Paris
Describe what you make: I’m an interior designer and colorist. I’ve always been driven by how colors could transform a space, and eventually it led me to create furniture and accessories that could dress a home in a timeless and elegant style.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: It’s hard to pick our most important project! My studio designed the headquarters of L’Oréal Luxe in Paris, which is a huge office building. We’ve also designed Le Roch, a five-star hotel in Paris, a confidential and cozy location that has become a second home to so many travelers… Each of our concept stores defines a new storytelling and opens a new window into our brand. We also recently partnered with Ressource Americas to open the brand’s first New York City showroom. I launched my first chair in January—you know how challenging the chair is for any designer! I don’t know how to choose what’s our most important project as every day brings its lot of surprises and new challenges.
Describe the problem your work solves: I really try to bring happiness and spark joy in every project, be it a residence or piece of furniture. We live in quite troubled moments sometimes, so your interior should be peaceful—a haven in which you feel safe and happy. Our motto at Maison Sarah Lavoine is “Etre hereux est un art de vivre” which translates to “Happiness is a lifestyle.”
Describe the project you are working on now: Many! We’re opening new stores across France and launching our summer collection called Blue Collection that is a combination of hues I really love.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: A hotel on an island on the Seine that should be complete in 2020.
What you absolutely must have in your studio: Lots of good vibes thanks to my team, my art and architecture books, and photos of my family.
What you do when you’re not working: I spend time with my family, and the best is to travel with them. We create unforgettable memories.
The distraction you want to eliminate: Too many emails.
Concrete or marble? Definitely marble.
High-rise or townhouse? Townhouse.
Remember or forget? Remember!!
Aliens or ghosts? Aliens… if I really need to choose!
Dark or light? Dark. One of my favorite colors in a project is black… Somehow it’s been put aside for a long time when it can create contrast and highlight details like no other colors.
