Family
The Private Mansion Home to the Founders of the Gilles & Boissier Agency
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Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier, Félix 14, Zoé 12 years old
Visiting this private mansion and meeting its owners, Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier, is like the opening scenes of a film. One where the narrator is keen to tell us about its decor. Here, we’re talking about “a house that was unoccupied for several years, with crumbling ceilings, shutters that squeaked, and cupboards filled with curiosities.” It was a dream come true. A reality made better with the discovery of “a wild garden that opened onto a park.” And all of this in the heart of Paris! A world full of promises chosen to be the home of the founders of Gilles & Boissier, an architecture, interior decor and graphic design agency. In order to restore it to its former glory by introducing contemporary elements, the pair didn’t always agree. Which also means they complement each other. Seeing eye-to-eye or otherwise resulted in inspired, creative ideas. As the artistic director explains, there’s wood in all its forms – “shiny, brushed, painted, assembled, inlaid, lacquered” alongside elegant lines. The perfect balance of colours and materials, prompted by his other half. For a home where harmony rules. Simply stunning.
Location
Paris
Author
Caroline Balvay
Photographer
Constance Gennari
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TSF
Patrick, Dorothée: could you introduce yourselves, please?
Patrick & Dorothée
We’re partners in life and in work! We opened our agency, Gilles and Boissier, in 2004. We specialise in architecture, interior design, furniture and art. From projects to objects! We love anything that’s daring, generosity, simplicity and intelligence.
TSF
How did your tastes develop?
Patrick & Dorothée
By navigating life, observing, flicking through art catalogues, working, being happy with ourselves.
TSF
When did you realise you wanted to dedicate yourself to the beautiful things in life?
Dorothée
After seeing Bob Wilson’s production of “Madame Butterfly”. I would have been 17 years old. An array of decors, musique, voices, costumes, lights… Beauty beyond words!
TSF
Can you tell us what you love about your work – and your partnership?
Patrick & Dorothée
Our exchanges, seeing eye-to-eye – or not, as the case may be!
TSF
How do you work together?
Dorothée
Patrick is the agency’s artistic director. He creates and develops all the interior design projects with our team. I work on brand development, our furniture and accessory collection, and oversee our showroom on Avenue Montaigne. We work together when it comes to decor and objects, not forgetting the input from the artists and, most of all, our clients.
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At the end of a courtyard, a sleeping house. Ceilings that never end, shutters that creak, cupboards full of wonders. The discovery of a wild garden that opens onto a park.
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TSF
You’re surrounded by art every day. But if you had to choose which artists influenced you and your work, who would they be?
Patrick & Dorothée
Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet, Pierre Bonnard, Paul Gauguin and Pablo Picasso. As well as Cy Tombly and Richard Avedon.
TSF
Tell us about this place. How did you find it?
Patrick & Dorothée
It was a house at the bottom of a courtyard that had been unlived in for years. Crumbling ceilings, squeaky shutters, cupboards filled with curiosities. Plus there was a wild garden that opened onto a park. It was a dream come true. A reality!
TSF
How did you envision it architecturally, stylistically, or family-wise?
Patrick & Dorothée
Firstly, we greatly admired the existing architecture and the magnificent decor. We wanted to restore its grandeur and brilliance by adding contemporary elements, but most of all create harmony in the various rooms.
TSF
And furniture-wise?
Patrick & Dorothée
Furniture designed by us, so it would perfectly fit into the space. It needed to be beautiful, practical, comfy and tactile.
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TSF
What does it say about you?
Patrick & Dorothée
No hoarding or small talk allowed! We like creating spaces where proportions, shapes and materials work together. To live in harmony with our surroundings.
TSF
During our last encounter, you told us about your love of “living” materials. How do they work in your new home?
Patrick & Dorothée
There’s a range of woodwork – shiny, brushed, painted, assembled, inlaid, lacquered… As well as marbles, variously-veined and coloured, on display like paintings would be.
TSF
You can see colour, which adds a touch of elegance. Does this place work better than the other one?
Patrick & Dorothée
Each room speaks for itself without colour taking over. For example, furniture with just a touch of khaki or powder pink. Plus linens and shiny silks. And lots of white, with a variety of textures and finishes.
TSF
You love historic objects. Do you consider yourselves collectors?
Patrick & Dorothée
We have no desire to become collectors, but we do love objects that work in harmony. From photos to sculptures, ceramics, paper cut-outs or twisted rope. We live with these pieces and love them as much as the artists themselves.
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