Guillaume and Aline Granet, <br> Gaspard 6, Aristide 5, Augustin 1 year old
Family - Other

The Rebirth of a House in Dourdan, Thanks to the Work of Two Passionate

/

at

Guillaume and Aline Granet,
Gaspard 6, Aristide 5, Augustin 1 year old

In the little town of Dourdan a few kilometres away from Paris, Guillaume and Aline have created a veritable little jewel of a place. Like many Parisians, when they had a third child they wanted to get away from it all, seek out some greenery and live a better life. When they went to see the house, the whole place was in its original condition. Nothing had changed in 30 years, and everything needed doing! Guillaume obsesses over every detail and adores vintage furniture, and he re-designed the whole place himself. From the tiling to the recovered entrance area, from the wash basin to the bathroom, from the ceramic switches to the staircase paint: he did absolutely everything himself by his own hand, working every evening and every weekend. And then he went looking for furniture. A Togo sofa that he hunted down on the internet, an Alain Richard light from an auction, recovered Tulip designed chairs that are his pride and joy as an inveterate bargain hunter. It was a long, arduous task for this father of a band of three boys – a man who also collects and restores racing bikes when he gets the time. So who said the countryside was boring?

Ensemble Saarinen Salle à Manger Guillaume Dourdan
Enfilade Bois Maison Guillaume Dourdan
Fils Salon Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Lampe Maison Guillaume Dourdan
Dessins Fils Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Fils Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Entrée Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Salon Guillaume Maison Dourdan

Guillaume, would you like to introduce yourself?

Guillaume

Guillaume, married to Aline and father to 3 boys: Gaspard, Aristide and Augustin. We also have two chickens and a small parrot. I am crazy about anything retro…including bikes, cars and 20th Century architecture. A former Parisian, I came here with my family to the countryside looking for some greenery 5 years ago. My work as an engineer meant that I moved around a lot, and sometimes I took side-trips to go and see the works of the grand masters of architecture. I would absolutely love to go to Brasilia and see the works of Oscar Niemeyer.

What did you like when you chose this house?

Guillaume

This house was originally Aline’s inspiration. After visiting several apartments in Paris, I came across this small ad. Travelling along the highway to go and visit it was a concern for us, but when when I saw it I felt like a fairytale prince stumbling upon sleeping beauty in the woods. The house was in its original condition and nobody had lived there for a quite a few months. It was hidden behind brambles and trees. This was the only place we visited! It was love at first sight.

Did you work together on re-doing the rooms one after the other?

Guillaume

Objectively I would say that I am more decoration-orientated than Aline, but she focusses my hardcore ideas – in particular the porcelain switches, the wooden windows and the cast iron radiators. And of course she helps me choose things. We had a lot of discussions for the final rooms such as the lounge and the dining room.

What decoration style do you like the most?

Guillaume

Vintage! I am crazy about the modern furniture of the 50s.

Where do you get the items from?

Guillaume

We got a lot of it off leboncoin and at flea markets, mainly. The flea market is the monthly outing. My oldest son Gaspard is my ally, he loves coming with me. I know he will always find a toy to bring back.

Entrée Eames Carrelage Chinée Guillaume
Portrait Famille Maison Guillaume Dourdan
Armoire Bois Seventies Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Détails Togo Guitare Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Bois Salon Maison Guillaume Dourdan
Table Basse Saarinen Salon Maison Guillaume Dourdan
Fils Guillaume Salon Maison Dourdan

You should take your time. One piece of furniture will lead to another.

Salle de Bains Bleu Vintage Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Salle de Bains Vintage Maison Guillaume Dourdan Salle de Bains Évier Guillaume Maison Dourdan Salle de Bains Baignore Guillaume Maison Dourdan Salle de Bains Flacons Vintage Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Chambre Enfant Bébé Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Chambre Enfant Vintage Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Lampe Industriel Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Guillaume and Aline Granet, <br> Gaspard 6, Aristide 5, Augustin 1 year old

Do the children enjoy taking part in the decoration and in the choice of furniture?

Guillaume

They certainly do, yes! We display their toys all over the place in the house really, and there’s a whole wall in the dining room that’s covered with their drawings. We have even hung their lanterns up as chandeliers!

What are the inexpensive items that are the greatest source of pride for you?

Guillaume

I would say the wash-basin. It has an amazing history. When I came across it, it was being sold following the renovation of a bathroom in a house that dated back to 1900. The people had left the gate open and it was on the side in the courtyard. If they weren’t there I was to put the money through the letter-box if I liked it…and I did like it!

Do you have a favourite designer?

Guillaume

Yes, I love Alain Richard. I was dying to get hold of a light from his range, and at last I found one!

What advice would you have for someone moving into a new apartment?

Guillaume

You should take your time. One piece of furniture will lead to another. For example, in the lounge I had nothing but an armchair, and I worked everything around it to get a welcoming atmosphere.

Guillaume and Aline Granet, <br> Gaspard 6, Aristide 5, Augustin 1 year old
Jardin Maison Dourdan Guillaume
Salon Togo Vue Extérieur Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Cabane Jardin Maison Dourdan Guillaume
Fils Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Poulailler Fils Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Vélo Garage Maison Dourdan Guillaume
Sortie Vélo Père Fils Guillaume Dourdan
Velos Vintage Guillaume Garage Maison Dourdan
Fils Salon Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Livre Aristide Le Timidie Maison Dourdan Guillaume
Famille Salon Maison Guillaume Dourdan
Pause Café Potimarron Guillaume Maison Dourdan
Famille Aline Fils Guillaume Maison Dourdan

Inspiration déco...

Georg Hallensleben and Anne Gutman, <br> Salomé, Colombine, Robinson

Georg Hallensleben and Anne Gutman,
Salomé, Colombine, Robinson

Georg Hallensleben and Anne Gutman are stars of children’s literature. Their characters Gaspard and Lisa have become icons in Japan and even have their own theme park at the foot of Mount Fuji. An everyday fairytale for this atypical couple who...

You may also like

No comment

Add your comment

Newsletter

Captured Moments. Interiors. Personalities. Every week, just for you.