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Yvan Martinet, Decorative Investigations
If he hadn’t decided to pursue a journalistic career, Yvan Martinet would have chosen be to become an architect. That’s hardly surprising, when you understand how hard he worked, and how much skill he showed in designing the space that now serves as his apartment. Once he had bought the run-down property in the Montmartre neighbourhood — an area that he has never truly left — the location represented a vast potential opportunity for this reporter. A herringbone parquet floor and a ceiling with generously proportioned mouldings were among the property’s hidden treasures. With minute attention to detail, Yvan set about saving the last sinews of the old wood, going as far as saving a few metres of flooring to serve as a dining table. Only the most passionate have such a committed approach. Those who, like him, are prepared to put their body and soul into their ideas. When he dreamed of a fireplace of his own, his determined browsing through antique stores and flea markets led him to find the one that now reigns over his living room. It was removed from an apartment block designed by Hector Guimard, and bears the hallmarks of his style. With a cosy atmosphere reminiscent of 1960s Italy – a favourite period of his – Yvan’s antechamber is a success story, cleverly blending iconic designs with creations that have a unique and special story of their own. Like this sofa, which he designed himself, or the Panchina bench by The Socialite Family.
Location
Paris
Author
Caroline Balvay
Photographer
Constance Gennari
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TSF
Yvan, what do you do for a living?
Yvan
I am a reporter for a TV show.
TSF
Why did you choose this district, Montmartre, so very Parisian?
Yvan
To begin with, I didn’t really choose it. When I graduated from journalism school a few years ago, my classmates and I were looking for shared accommodation. The only apartment we were able to rent was in the building across the road. Since then, I have roamed the entire street, moving from apartment to apartment, and hardly ever left it. So much for the cliché, Montmartre is indeed a village. And I like being only a stone’s throw from Pigalle and the Saint-Ouen flea markets.
TSF
Did you do much work?
Yvan
When I bought this apartment, it was extremely dilapidated. All I could keep was the floor and the mouldings. They were a pleasant surprise because the herringbone parquet was hidden under tiles and the mouldings were hidden by a false ceiling. But otherwise, we had to do re-do everything. From top to bottom. I kept what I could, like those few metres of parquet from the hallway that I used to create the dining room table.
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TSF
How would you define your style in terms of decoration?
Yvan
I don’t pretend to have any! But my eyes are generally drawn to the world of the 1960s, the Italians for design, the Californians for architecture. I am having a hard time detaching myself from the modernists, the preference for Warren Platner. I think I would have loved living between Los Angeles and Milan at a time when styles were very different and very marked. I remember reading a captivating book on the Milanese interiors of the 60s and 70s. The Agnellis in their apartment combined rooms by Gae Aulenti and those wedded to Lalanne. Organic forms in a palazzo make a beautiful mixture. Chairs and lamps, many elements here date from this period, except perhaps the coffee table which is Daft Punk. I realise now that it was done quite unconsciously. I believe it is this penchant for Italy in the 60s that today makes me love the work of the Dimore duo and that of Vincenzo de Cotiis. Apart from that, I think I have a little trouble with everything after the 70s. Even if I can appreciate the parts of the Memphis movement, but in other people’ homes.
TSF
Which rooms do you like best here?
Yvan
The rooms in the house? Everything is open here, so I don’t have to choose! When I carried out work, I wanted one’s gaze to be interrupted as little as possible. At breakfast time, the kitchen is bathed in sunlight which floods the living room, and It is the other way round in the afternoon, so I have difficulty deciding. But when my friends come to dinner, we usually linger for a while in the kitchen over a drink. And if we are talking about furniture, I designed the sofa, and a few years later, I still love it. One of my favourite pieces is the Taccia lamp from Castiglioni. As an impecunious student, all I could do was look at it in the shop window and dream. Finally being able to own it was a particular pleasure! And otherwise, the Daft Punk coffee table has been with me from move to move for 15 years. It is made of glass and weighs 80 kg. I tremble every time the removers shift it! Its design embodies a large part of my youth. I should like to be buried with it. Good luck with that.
TSF
Did you decide on the decor?
Yvan
No architect or decorator has set foot here. I don’t think I thought much about the decoration. Although I admit that everything here is influenced by the inspiration. I have drawn from here and there. The decor here is mostly just a lot of happy finds. When I had the apartment redone, there was no fireplace, for example. I wanted to put one back to restore the Haussmann character. And I was very fortunate. I found this one. It had been dismantled in a building by Hector Guimar, in the 16th arrondissement in Paris. You can see its original line on the sides. That’s what made me choose this green for the library. It’s the same as that of the Metro entrances that he designed.
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TSF
Do you have an architect or a designer who inspires you and whose work fascinates you?
Yvan
Oh, my goodness! Loads! If I hadn’t wanted to be a reporter, I would have ab-so-lute-ly loved to be an architect. I have a passion for John Lautner. My favourite design of his is the Sheats-Goldstein residence on the heights of Beverly Hills (this is the house you see in “The Big Lebowski“, by the Coen brothers). James Goldstein, its owner, let me visit it several times. Each time, I am Just as much filled with admiration. Everything is incredibly well thought out. To the point that its owner lives there almost without furniture, yet still, nothing is lacking. With each visit, I discover crazy new details. Lautner’s creativity in an exercise that is as constrained as architecture fascinates me!
TSF
What do you feel is missing here?
Yvan
Nothing. I suppose I could use a little more space. And some more paintings by Pierre Seinturier and Laura Acquaviva, or photos by Nina Koltchiskaya.
TSF
Where do you go when you are looking for furniture? What are your favourite places to look online or in person?
Yvan
I love strolling in St-Ouen, to “keep my eye in”, and to learn from the dealers, especially at the Marché Serpette and Paul Bert. I like the thoroughly assured taste of many of the antique dealers there. Otherwise, I think I have contributed very well to the financial health of leboncoin! That’s where I found a lot of my furniture. I have just found a rare Warren Platner coffee table there. The site 1st dibs remains a reference. And recently, a friend introduced me to the Million auction house, but she won’t be very pleased if I mention that here (!). Finally – and they are rare – Sotheby’s NOW sales always offer a fine selection of vintage furniture with affordable bids.
TSF
Can you give us some good restaurant addresses in your neighbourhood?
Yvan
A stone’s throw from the Place des Abbesses, the restaurant Roberta, in Rue de la Vieuxville has just opened and offers a beautiful Italian menu. The hotel Le Pigalle, a little for the food, a lot for the eyes with its Studio Festen decor. Finally, and again just a stone’s throw away, L’Entrée des Artistes, for its cocktails and (if you like to queue from 11 am for lunch at 3 pm), Bouillon Pigalle, inexpensive and good value.
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