A civil engineer by training, Astrid Maillet Peacock, originally from Paris, settled in Dubai in 2008, eventually taking on a second role there as an interior designer. At the helm of the Hammer & Feather agency alongside her husband Dominic, Astrid brings her ‘French touch’ to interiors that are sometimes a little too sterile. A breath of fresh air amidst the monotony. Full of life, she talks to us about her work and her daily life in the city of endless possibilities.
Astrid Maillet Peacock
Astrid, could you introduce yourself?
My name is Astrid Maillet Peacock; I’m an interior designer, a mum of two and a stepmum to two grown-up daughters. After spending my final year of studies in Australia, I moved to Dubai for 18 months. That was 18 years ago, and I’ve never left.Trained as a civil engineer, after eight years working in the events industry, it was the hands-on construction work and project management that led me to get into renovation. Combining this with my passion for interior design and space planning, I set up Hammer & Feather five years ago. A name with a double meaning: my maiden name is Maillet, which means ‘hammer’ in English – that’s the ‘construction’ part – and my husband’s surname, Peacock, which gives us ‘feather’ – that’s the ‘design’ part! Two years ago, my husband Dominic joined the venture and we are now growing the agency together.
What do you think of the concept of good taste?
I live in a country where different cultures from all over the world coexist and intermingle, and where everyone contributes what they consider to be in good taste. The question of good taste is therefore even more difficult here than elsewhere. First of all, one must adapt to each style and each culture and, within each of them, define good taste in terms of harmony.
Your interior design mantra?
Interior design is, above all, about creating a space that reflects who we are. For me, a well-decorated home is one filled with items brought back from travels, photos, mementos… in short, a home full of life (but always very tidy!). I like to make the most of decorative elements whilst ensuring that the spaces don’t end up looking too cluttered.
If you could be a room in the house, which would it be?
The kitchen! We can entertain twenty people at home and, despite having a relatively spacious living room with a large sofa, the guests invariably end up gathered round the central kitchen island – even though it isn’t very big! The kitchen is therefore a symbol of getting together and good times with friends! With every new project, I always take great pleasure in designing it.
The top 3 things on your bucket list?
- To have a large family home built so that we can entertain guests all the time.
- Never stop travelling and discovering new countries.
- To find another occasion and a venue where we can bring together our friends and families from Australia, France and Dubai, just as we did for our wedding fourteen years ago.
If you were an artist?
Prune Nourry for her wonderful, socially conscious projects.
Your dream project?
One day, to extend and renovate my grandparents’ small, modest house in Corsica, where we used to cram in with my cousins when we were little, so that the whole family can continue to get together there and make new memories.
A current obsession?
When it comes to interior design, I’m obsessed with a duo: wallpaper and zellige! On a personal note, I’m trying to eat better and look after myself more – I’ve just turned forty!
How do you envisage the future?
To continue supporting our clients in their life plans in a personalised way. We have no ambition to become a huge organisation, even though the temptation is great in Dubai. Dom and I are committed to remaining hands-on and involved in all our projects; nevertheless, I must continue my long-standing struggle: to take a step back and tackle problems with greater composure.
Astrid’s world
“I wanted to bring something different, a style that’s a bit livelier and more colourful – the ‘French touch’, as people often tell me. My designs could be described as ‘smooth yet tousled’.”
Why Dubai? Tell us about your daily routine.
I ended up in Dubai rather by chance for my first job 18 years ago; it was there that I met my husband and started a family. Dubai is the city of endless possibilities, a place that fosters entrepreneurship; a city brimming with energy where people come to work. Everything moves at a rapid pace. Before setting up Hammer & Feather, I spent eight years working in event set design and managed some of the craziest projects! These days, my days are filled with client meetings, time spent at our new studio designing and creating, as well as drawing up detailed budgets, visiting suppliers, attending site meetings, managing Instagram, doing the accounts… In short, typical days when you’re running a small business – now as a team of two, thankfully, with my husband’s invaluable help!
Which architectural movements inspire you?
The Parisian buried deep within me can, of course, never tire of Haussmannian charm – an architectural style that is a world away from what we have here. Whilst it will always inspire me, unfortunately adding a few mouldings to the ceiling of a villa in Dubai won’t be enough to bring that style here!
Graphic design & colour
Sage green, powder pink, terracotta: colours bring life and character to a room; they set the tone, create an atmosphere and make a space feel cosier. I have no problem working with very neutral tones for the main materials in a project, provided I can add colour through curtains, cushions, light fittings, paintings and decorative accessories.
Your favourite playground: as it is or tidied up?
‘As it is’!! This is the phrase our clients very often use when they first get in touch. They buy a villa ‘as it is’ and want to turn it into their family home. In Dubai, all the villas are identical, built to the same plans and with the same materials within compounds (secure residential estates), and there is great satisfaction in transforming each dreary, soulless villa into a unique home that reflects the desires, tastes, lifestyle and culture of its owners.
Step aside
n Dubai, you see a lot of interiors in shades of beige, white, wood and travertine. And many designers create some truly beautiful pieces in this neutral style. But I wanted to bring something different – a style that’s a bit livelier and more colourful, the ‘French touch’, as people often tell me. Whilst I love it when everything is perfectly tidy, clean and immaculate, I don’t particularly like interiors that are too sleek and monotonous. My designs could be described as ‘slick yet tousled’.
Light on!
I didn’t realise how important lighting was when I was working on my first projects, until one day one of my clients decided to bring in a lighting designer for her project. It’s a proper profession in its own right, and I realised just how much of a difference well-thought-out lighting makes! Now I try to apply a few principles I’ve learnt along the way, but nothing can replace a proper lighting designer!
Materials library
The more clients are willing to mix materials and colours, the more excited I am to work on a project. Cement tiles, zellige, quartzite, microcement, wallpaper, fabrics, textures and colours: these are what give each project its originality and authenticity!
Wallpaper focus
I’m going back to the ‘smooth yet tousled’ look – the perfect imperfection! The ‘Monde Sauvage’ wallpapers tick all the boxes mentioned earlier: originality, colours, patterns and texture! They allow me to take a step back, to challenge Dubai’s overly straight lines and its very modern feel. Dubai has a penchant for grandeur, so I’m adding a touch of whimsy to the décor!
