Conversation avec Lucie Rouland - Le Monde Sauvage

In conversation with Lucie Rouland

You are a decoration addict,

but once you’ve closed aside your favorite magazine,
how to adapt the precepts of the experts at home?

Here are some of our favourite personalities who have
been kind enough to share this vision of interior design.

With generosity, they indulge you with their choices,
share tips and inspiring advice.

Today we talk to

Lucie Rouland

Lucie, can you introduce yourself?

My name is Lucie, I’m 36 and have two children, Émile who is 4 and Oscar who is 7months old. I grew up in the countryside with a father who taught himself how to be a builder and a mother who is passionate about floral art. Unsurprisingly when it came to choosing what to study, I opted for something artistic. After a degree in fine arts, I studied architecture at Nantes university. I worked fora number of architects before setting up my own studio. We’ve been lucky to have very good press since the beginning which really helped the business to take off.

Your decorating mantra?

Authenticity and simplicity are the key to a timeless interior.

What do you think of the concept of good taste?

To each their own (good) taste.It’s very subjective. I think I prefer the idea of overall harmony.

If you were a room in a house?

The kitchen! I love to talk so I would be an open kitchen with a central island. Kitchens are the most convivial room in a house, it’s where everything happens, where you get together with friends and family over wonderful food and a glass of good wine.

The top 3 things on your bucket list?

To go around the world in a van with my family
To create my own brand
To move into new offices!

If you were an artist?

Nikki de Saint Phalle, the film maker, engraver, sculptor, painter… She wasa woman of so many talents.

Your dream project?

To decorate a hotel by the sea, preferably a finca in Minorca.

A current obsession?

Terracotta! It doesn’t matter what size or shape - square, hexagonal, rectangular, in a herringbone pattern – I just love how versatile it is.

Lucie’sworld

Your hallmark?

I love hunting for antiques and can spend hours looking for pieces online or in markets. It’s the best way to make an interior completely unique. One great example is the glass partition wall I found on Selency that separates my kitchen from my sitting room. You would think it was made for the house, it’s the perfect size.

From architecture to interior design

I didn’t plan to become an interior designer but this part of my work really pleased my clients straight away. Now I draw architectural plans and add the decorative elements right from the beginning.

Material world

My favourite materials? The most natural ones, so wood, stone, polished cement, moroccan zellige tiles, terracotta, plaster…

Vintage v. contemporary

I always want to keep as much of the original character of a place as possible. Vintage treasures mixed with more contemporary finds are what makes a space unique and a pleasure to live in.

La cabane sur le port, île d’Yeu

Island life

I have always had strong links to the Ile d’Yeu, a beautiful island in the Vendée region of France. There is a tight community and word of mouth really helped to get my business going on the island from the start. Holiday home renovations and the design for a new restaurant were my first projects.

A hint of colour

The main backdrop to my projects is always white to which I add bright pops of colour, especially on cushions, armchairs and headboards.

Bespoke beauty

The best bespoke piece of furniture? Bench seating! It becomes the centre point of a room around which you can build storage, a fireplace, a screen and bookshelves.

Let there be light

Lighting is the key to creating a beautiful home. It plays an essential role in interior design when it comes to building unique spaces which are warm and welcoming. Ideally, you mix a number of different sources of light at ceiling level and on the walls with lamps, direct and indirect light. And I always use warm white bulbs for a cosy atmosphere where you can feel (and look) your best.