Diane Kari, Bargain Hunter

In Diane Kari’s home, reminders of the modern world are few and far between. To cultivate her ideal way of life, this young content creator has filled her attic flat in Paris’ 18th arrondissement with vintage pieces. Diane’s undying love for second-hand shopping stems from her teenage years, when she spent hours rummaging through used clothes in search of treasures for her and her friends. Today, this love has materialised into her own fashion e-shop: “Fripouille Vintage”. As she ventured into the world of entrepreneurship, this jill-of-all-trades was able to combine her adventurous taste – in terms of fashion and decor – with her eclectic style and her desire to share and communicate. In fact, she has found a whole community of second-hand enthusiasts with whom she shares her colourful everyday life on Instagram. And her quirky home makes the perfect backdrop! In Diane’s world, nothing is permanent. Her studio is the stage for a never-ending ballet of design pieces, which the former arts student unearths on specialised sites then resells. Diane’s joyful furniture, like the Knoll tulip table and Nessino lamp, reflects her sunny and generous personality. With a free and curious spirit drawn to beautiful things, Diane has learnt to let her mood guide her: “this flat is like me: it changes its look all the time, from a new vase to a colourful tartan rug on the bed.” The Parisienne clearly has lots of fun playing mix & match on the 7th floor of her Haussmann building. She has transformed her intimate home into a warm space for living and hosting, with spectacular views of Montmartre to boot!

Location

Paris

Author

Juliette Bruneau

Photographer

Jeanne Perrotte

TSF

Diane, can you introduce yourself?

Diane

I’m Diane Kari and I’m 29 years old! I created the vintage online shop Fripouille Vintage, and I’m now a digital content creator.

TSF

Tell us more about your background.

Diane

I wanted to become a fashion photographer. I did a degree in fine arts, followed by a year of studying applied arts and then attended a photography school. I lived in London for a year and then spent 6 months in New York where I was a photography agent’s assistant. I then returned to Paris and worked in production for a fashion magazine and a few years later, I decided to go off on my own by launching Fripouille Vintage which I ran for over three years.

TSF

What is your notion of “beauty”? How did your taste develop?

Diane

I’ve always loved colour! I wear lots of them and my apartment is also colourful. Having studied art, I’ve been interested in design, architecture and everything that surrounds me from a young age! I often bargain-hunted and then sold on the items. Lots of stuff has passed through my home.

TSF

What about fashion in particular?

Diane

Same story for fashion! I bargain-hunted as a teenager. Snapping up bargains meant I could try out different styles of clothes and not be limited by a small choice! I still don’t think I’ve found my own particular style. I like showing off different looks, it’s fun!

I spend my life browsing the site and when I’m not looking for stuff for myself, I look for others because unfortunately, I can’t buy all the fantastic things I find.

TSF

Tell us how you found this apartment.

Diane

My friend, Charlotte’s boyfriend used to live here. I used to say “when you leave this place, I’m moving in!”, and then one day they decided to settle down together in a larger place, and I jumped at the chance!

TSF

What were the challenges in furnishing an apartment with limited space?

Diane

So, challenge number one was getting everything through the front door because it’s a narrow entrance. It also needed muscles, as some items didn’t fit in the lift and I live on the 7th floor! It’s an attic apartment, which has a very limited layout, but I got used to it. Another little problem: I have two cats. So I had to test sofas, carpets…because hairs and claws are furniture’s worst nightmares!

TSF

Furniture, objects: where do your possessions come from.

Diane

I’m not going to lie – the small ads on Le Bon Coin! I spend my life browsing the site and when I’m not looking for stuff for myself, I look for others because unfortunately, I can’t buy all the fantastic things I find. I think the bargain that I’ll keep forever is the Knoll table, which is real a classic! For the others… I’m not sure how long they’ll last here. I like to change my decor a lot, which can be problematic. My Instagram account is also a sales depot.

TSF

You’ve gone for colour here. What’s behind this preference?

Diane

I’m home a lot. So I need to feel really good here. I relate to colour, so I try to be as sunny as possible and express that in my decor. Like everyone, I have my good and bad days. Feeling at home surrounded by cheerful furniture makes me smile. My friends often say they feel at home here, and that makes me happy.

I relate to colour, so I try to be as sunny as possible and express that in my decor.

TSF

What does your interior say about you?

Diane

I think it represents me. I love to laugh, I love life, and this apartment is bright and has a certain dynamic. It’s like me: it changes its look all the time, even if that just means replacing a vase or slinging a new colourful throw on the bed.

TSF

You live in Paris’s 18th arrondissement. How does this neighbourhood make you feel, and what are your favourite places?

Diane

I was born in this neck of the woods! My parents have apartments just down the road. I grew up in the building where my dad still lives, and I am very attached to the 18th arrondissement. I can’t see myself living anywhere else for the time being. I love having lunch at Sunset on rue Ordener, eating tapas à La Bascule followed by gin and tonics on rue Burq before ending the night at L’époque karaoke bar!

TSF

For you The Socialite Family is…?

Diane

This is the first time I’ve invested in an expensive piece: the Gioia table lamp with its white shade and pink base. I think it’s a piece that blends seamlessly with the rest while adding good taste and a designer element to the room!