DESIGNER DIARY : JOSEPH DIRAND

Dirand's bedroom exemplifies the cornerstone values of his style ideals 

Hotel Habita, Monterrey 

All the designers that I've covered for P.F.F are truly artists and masters of what they do. But for me, Joseph Dirand has something that really takes me by the heart and soul. Like all matters to do with design and art, the feeling you get from looking at their work is almost impossible to describe. It's ineffable, beyond words. I guess that's how I would describe Dirand, his work is simply ineffable.

"What really matters to me, a lot more than the interior, is light. Light is what makes architecture alive. Wherever I go, especially my studio, my apartment, and the places I live, I have to see the sky" source    

Dirand's career reads like a textbook. Simple, one way and undeterred by most of the hurdles which cross regular folks like us. Born in Paris to an architect father and fashion designer mother, his first commission came before he even graduated from design school. After the redesign of the Balmain store located on Rue-Francois-1er, often dubbed 'the most beautiful fashion store in Paris', he established himself as being one of the most sought after and talked about designers in Europe and abroad. 

Monsieur Bleu, Paris 

Pucci Store, New York City 

Ranelagh, Paris

When asked to describe what his style is during an interview with Design elements blog, he cites that he keeps trying to find his own style but cannot and hopes that he never will. It seems hard to understand this answer when looking at his work as evidently, there are themes and colours which string all of it together. But maybe what's more important is that there's still mystery and elusiveness in the entire process. It's when we know too much and become formulaic that alarm bells should ring.

"Already as a child I got inspired by a lot of things like the Garden of Versailles, Japanese architecture or sculpture by Joseph Beuys. All of these things provoke so much emotion, that they become addictive, like a drug" source 

Dirand's work has been a favourite amongst fashion houses including Alexander Wang, Rick Owens, Chloe and Givenchy and it's a no brainer why. Stylish, effortless and chic for days, it's the perfect setting for a once in a lifetime purchase in a once in a lifetime designed interior. There is absolutely a sense of movement in his design and artist countability. Never ending learning and discovery is a part of his mission in achieving ever higher feats in his artistic endeavours. “I always want to get inspired by different things and I realise there is no end to learning”.

Dirand's own home in Paris 

Details from his own kitchen

Loulou restaurant, Paris 

Chloe store, Saint Honore 

Dirand does away with the demand of having a stock definition for his style. What really drives his work is an instinct, an impulse which ultimately triggers the motions of creativity leading the finished product to look organic and effortless - as if there were almost no designer behind it at all. A collection which formed itself out of a natural order. 

"I don't care about style anymore, in a way I hate style, I hate design... it's about life, and generosity" source 

I've always had a belief about what we do in life. If we love it enough, if doing it isn't a chore and we're all about it, it starts to take us to other places. No single discipline or focus in life is simply of itself. Everything that we choose to learn and do takes us to other places we had no idea was possible. For Dirand, this is clearly the case as well. It's not about design or style for him, it's simply a way of organising, responding and living. Here's to all of our callings which take us above and beyond. 

Avenue Montaigne apartment, shot by Martin Morrell for NYT

La Flandrin, Paris 

Varenne, Paris 

Le Mas des Oliviers, Ramatuelle

"Les Idees Claires" 

I Mahal Bath, Paris

DESIGNER DIARY : INDIA MAHDAVI

Vitrahaus exhibition 2016 : Originally posted here

Germain Paradisio : Originally posted here
I love the colour of the walls here and how they are curving in and out. The embroidery gives it a folksy vibe which pairs surprisingly well with the animal print flooring 

Boldness and vibrancy are so attractive in a space, bringing joy and happiness which are two of the exact aims that this weeks designer achieves seamlessly. But India Mahdavi is also an emotional decorator ( which doesn't mean she sheds tears at the sight of good patterns although very well maybe) as her work reveals her to be a person who references their own experiences as major catalysts of creation. India Mahdavi is one of the most sought after designers at the moment. Sketch London was her creation ( you know the instagram famous all pink restaurant with velvet chairs and David Shrigley framed drawings? Yep that's her work ) which sparked sensation online that subsequently snowballed the kind of PR buzz most places can only dream of.

“After decades of beige and white, Europeans are finally bringing colour back into their living rooms,”source

Mahdavi attributes her love of colour and vibrancy to her Irano-egyptian heritage and the cornucopia of countries she spent her childhood growing up across including Britain, America and of course, France where a majority of her projects have taken place. It's also where her show room is located, the collectivist space on Rue Las Cases where all her designs are to be found under the one roof.

Thomieux House : Originally posted here 
Delicate and girlish wall paper in this hotel in Paris, I love the colour way a lot 

La Duree Beverly Drive : Originally posted here
My favourite are the criss cross lattice over the walls, it's really the details that go to elevate a space 

La Duree Quai des Bergues : Originally posted here

When talking about colour, Mahdavi gets experimental. “I like to mix and let them insult each other, have an argument" she says in relation to how she places colour and the ways in which she decides what colour goes where and why. Such a playful and young take is refreshing to me as a frequenter of magazines and websites to do with decorating. There seems to be such stuffiness amongst some decorators who are tied hands and heels to tradition and doing what's always been done. Mahdavi is rejecting that notion of traditionalism and safety. Finally a new perspective and some guts.

" The colour of my childhood was strawberry milkshake "source 

Her life is a huge part of her work and it's evident when you hear how she speaks about her life. As someone who learns and attributes meaning in an emotional way, it's reassuring to see other creatives do the same. They link their major creative decisions and theories back to something deeply personal such as a relic or a memory. Something which they've been hanging onto for their whole lives. The idea that Sketch London's colour palette, one of the most recognisable spaces in the decorating world was born out of the recollections of pink milkshakes in her childhood is simply wonderful. A cherished private experience formed the impetus for this grand creation.

Sketch London : Originally posted here

The Cloister here and below : Originally posted here
Gorgeous and ornate flooring. A good mosaic brings an instant Mediterranean, holiday house feel 

Villa Hotel above and below : Originally posted here
I love a bold wall and this marble one is arresting and hypnotising to look at 

Bringing joy to a space is her driving force of inspiration : “What I am trying to do is to bring joy to people’s lives, my work is about happiness. I am part of the entertainment business. I try and bring joy in the best way I can.” It's not surprising that designers get carried away with the text book aspects of the design world out of their need to be 'taken seriously'. But what India reminds us is that our homes should be about providing us with joy and happiness. If our homes can't give us that, then where else can? 

“In fact without knowing it, when you design things you are attached to your own memories, to your childhood and to things that you don’t even necessarily acknowledge because it is your subconscious,” source

In the end, India's entire body of work goes to show that some of the most valuable parts of ourselves just keep on giving for years to come. Our inner sanctums are our biggest resource for inspiration as India has gone to prove with her array of stunning work. It's about joy, deliverance and creatively gearing what we have in ourselves for others in the outside world. 

Condesa DF : Originally posted here
I like the interestingly shaped bar stools here which resemble chess pieces 

Ralph Pucci NYC : Originally posted here
The choice of colours here are so pretty, those chairs are signature Mahdavi creations and it's truly a signature of hers as she's used them in many of her spaces including Sketch as well as the Red Valentino stores 

Memo Fragrances above and below : Originally posted here
I'm pretty crazy for this store front. Painfully chic and beautiful, proving gold and black can be done right when it's done right. A curved edge adds an up market, 70's feel 

Delicate lines and fine edges combined with marble flooring make this a luxurious shopping experience to remember 

Cogolin Carpets : Originally posted here

Vitrahaus exhibition : Originally posted here
A really seventies looking space here.  Dreamy, feminine and sensitive it reminds me so much of Jayne Mansfield's pink house 

Galerie Larry by Gargosian : Originally posted here

India's showroom : Originally posted here
The amount of amazing home wares and decor shops in Paris is actually insane! I wish that I had gone into some when I was last there. When will my next trip be?

Cafe Francais : Originally posted here

Societe des Bains de mer : Originally posted here
Having a space indoor or outdoor done in one colour creates a chic, uniform feel 

DESIGNER DIARY : ROSE UNIACKE

Pimlico House Photoshoot : Originally posted here

Pimlico House photoshoot : Originally posted here
 Such a grand and regal living area which has hints to old world salons in Europe but also hooks us back to the present day by the contemporary swing of the coffee table and books 

If Grange's decorating vibes are what P.F.F aspires to be, Uniacke's homes are where we aspire to LIVE. Not that Grange's homes are unliveable, they certainly are however his homes are showful whereas Uniacke's homes are restful in a lay your head after a hard day in your own luxurious world kind of way.

“Pared-down can be cold, but with Rose it isn’t” Chrissie Rucker, The White Company source

Dubbed the queen of serene by The Sunday Times, Uniacke's portfolio of residential properties show us what it means to live well. Living well is a mix of comfort, worldiness and of course, serenity - something that Uniacke has a deep appreciation and understanding of. And what could be more appropriate of an atmosphere to come home to? Being a certified antiques dealer and furniture restorer greatly boosts the power she has to make her visions come alive and she strongly believes in mixing old and new as part of what guides her styling choices.

Pimlico house 2 : Originally posted here
Perfect simplicity - Anymore and this hallway's entire presence would be disturbed. The vases atop of the cabinet is just the right amount of decoration this hallway needs and it adds so much to the entirety of the space, in my opinion 

Pimlico house 2 : Originally posted here
Beautiful shelf space with a true emphasis on liveability. Uniacke's interiors encourage practicality, living in - not just somewhere to admire for its beauty

Her residential spaces communicate clearly to us as inhabitants. Her kitchen and dining areas make me think of private moments at 6am in the morning, knowing the day ahead is coming along and that this is the only time I'll be having to myself before things really roll in. You can imagine the kind of life you'd lead in her spaces. It's all about these moments of savouring, relishing and appreciating. I couldn't imagine anything more ideal for our homes. If we can instil this type of philosophy in our minds through conscious home making, we help ourselves by truly seeing that what we feed our homes, ultimately feeds us. 

Comfort does not mean sloppy. It can be done in irreverence and should be done in this way. Uniacke's rooms are irreverent in the sense that they are not about stimulating the senses. Like Grange's and some of O'brien's spaces, we are given a lot to work with - which is great. Stimulation is equal to excitement which is what draws novelty seekers in like me. But Uniacke's spaces proves colour and movement are not the only ways to create an impression.  

Battersea House : Originally posted here
I love the mix of Antique furnishings with the modernist and straight edged details of this particular apartment. I love a good balance when it comes to mixing and Uniacke absolutely does it in in the beat of her own drum here 

Battersea House : Originally posted here
Beautiful, practical, elegant, stylish - I could go on about how much this kitchen is in my favour. There's the right amount of glasses and objects on the shelves to make this space look homely but still minimal and uncluttered

Battersea House : Originally posted here
I love a touch of yellow in any room especially paired with some green 

Mayfair Apartment : Originally posted here

Mayfair apartment : Originally posted here

I fell head over heels for this sofa and living room space when I first saw it. First of all, the colouring is amazing. The teal and the light beige combine together perfectly. This space is completely about luxuriating in ones own time and privacy. It's a slow paced room that's welcoming to anyone who enters. It has elegance, charm and personality. There's also definitely something British about it which annoyingly, I cannot make tangible in words.

" Rose is equally comfortable hosting a meal on the kitchen table as a party for 150. The house is the perfect backdrop for entertaining because you can roam, sit, talk, relax. Nothing is too precious " Mel Agace, Film Producer source

This is such a 'claim to life' room to me because you can tell so much about the lifestyle and living values of the inhabitants. It's deceptive in its simplicity because it seems like something that anybody can put together. But the choices of colour, ornament and materiality had to have been chosen under a strict code to the initial vision in place.

Marylebone Apartment : Originally posted here

A Godwin House : Originally posted here
There are some spaces that are so stunning that there's no way they can be from the present day. I feel like this bathroom space qualifies as absolutely one of those 

Pimlico House : Originally posted here
 Although not the first word that's probably used to describe Uniacke, she is a bit of an eclectic decorator. She finds different things from a variety of places but which all share some commonality between them 

Pimlico House : Originally posted here

Pimlico House : Originally posted here

Pimlico House : Originally posted here

Uniacke's work is what homes should aspire to have a bit of. It's not about having the most impressive antiques or the most amazing wallpaper. Home is home and it should feel like a place of refuge and where you can escape and just be at the end of the day. It's a reminder that decorating isn't always just about making spaces look gorgeous, it's also about putting our extra hands at work in making a space liveable and somewhere that actually recharges us. Have a look at her shop that's part of her website here for more ideas on how to get some of her world into yours.

All photography rights belong to that of the original publisher. Photography credit is always provided if known