In conversation with Vanessa Faivre
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Vanessa Faivre
Vanessa, could you introduce yourself?
I am an an interior designer, as well as a mother of three. After business school I tried my hand at marketing, photography and painting before finally taking the leap into interior design at 28 in Sydney.When I got back from Australia in 2005 I worked for an agency and then launched my own firm when I had my first son. I have been lucky enough to build up a client network through working for friends and then word of mouth.
Your interior design golden rule ?
Draw the eye towards what is beautiful!
I always try to find beauty in a room or space, find the elements I want to highlight and focus the eye towards them.Conversely, I try to distract from any faults. I pay particular attention to light, trying to create pools of light that lends comfort and warmth to a client’s home.
Good taste, what’s your take?
For me, it’s a question of balance. Any style can be beautiful as long as it has a degree of harmony. It’s the same with colours, every colour is beautiful but you need to find that perfect match.
If you were a room which one would you be?
A child’s bedroom. I love the free rein to play with colour, wallpapers, fairy lights. I alsolike the idea that it’s a sort of cocoon of safety for children.
The top 3 things on your bucket list?
If you were an artist, who would you be?
Matisse – I love everything about him : his drawings, collages, the way he uses colour.
Henri Matisse, La Tristesse du roi (1952)
Your dream project?
I’ve just finished work on a house in the 9th arrondissement of Paris which had very unusual proportions. It was a real challenge to conserve the authentic charm of the space, whilst making it family friendly. I reconfigured the entire layout to create a warm, family-orientated space.
Your current obsession?
Create worlds that could be straight out of pop art, full of complimentary colours which really bring things to life!
Vanessa’stips
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Colour, the deciding factor?Definitely, colour transforms spaces, sets a certain tone! I love spaces which are warm and eclectic, not too masculine or too feminine, where there’s a mix of colours and fabrics. I try to find a balance between more muted tones and brighter more contrasting ones. My advice? Try not to get swept away by every new trend. |
Patterned or plain?
Patterned, without a doubt; I like experimenting with size and colour, graphics and florals, small and large scale shapes.
A favourite material?
I have a passion for fabrics, especially handmade ones as well as rugs from all sorts of places – for example I am particularly fond of the Le MondeSauvage’s Moldovian rug collection. I also like linen, the hushed tones of LeMonde Sauvage’s fabrics have a real lightness to them.
In the round
I use round shapes occasionally in my interiors, but sparingly. I find adding curves to the edges of bespoke frames or carpentry gives spaces a more welcoming feel.
Let there be light!
Light is always one of my main interests when I am discovering a new space. I try to amplify it in every way possible: opening up partition walls, skylights, mirrors…
Paint vs. WallpaperWallpaper! It can almost single-handedly decorate a room, outshiningeverything else. |
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Toning it down to create a bigger effect
In children’s rooms, I often like to use quilted throws as curtains. They work well as a blackout and also bring instant warmth to the room.
Your hallmark?
Green! I like every single shade. I also use a lot of mirrors to play with perspectives and increase the light in a space.
Photo credits :
@frenchie.cristogatin