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Gabriella Toscan du Plantier likes piling things up. In her family apartment, colours, objects, pieces of furniture and displayed works of art all reveal anecdotes. A world full of stories and memories she loves. The anglo-brazilian has been working with India Mahdavi for 6 years, and she now gives pride of place to the designer’s creations: it’s almost a showroom! Margaux and Raul are well-trained. There are plenty of different talents in their family. An aunt photographer, a forefather painter, and another one who was a craftsperson… The list goes on with Gabriella, the co-founder of My Little Day. Just like her brand, her world is a whole of cultural references she enriches as much as possible. She reads and goes to exhibitions and auction houses. These rituals are essential for her and she shares them with Arthur, her husband. Just like they share their finds. Wallpapers and young artists are displayed on the walls of the couple’s apartment when they are both taken with a work. They make compromises and it creates an apartment like a gallery and gives life to a decoration which is just like Gabriella: full of life.
I like when every object tells a story. At home, there are stories everywhere.
Gabriella, who are you?
What a tough question! I’ll define myself in terms of my daily life: I am the head of my company – My Little Day -, the mother of two children, married to a very funny man, and I love meeting my friends and having a drink with them (or two drinks; or three).
How would you define your style in terms of decoration?
I don’t know if there is a defined style at home. I love piling patterns, colours, objects, pieces of furniture, works of art, shoes, etc. up. I like when every object tells a story. At home, there are stories everywhere.
For decoration, did Arthur, you husband, and you have to compromise?
Yes, a little. But it has never been difficult. When one of us gives in about something he/she doesn’t like, he/she ends up getting used to it. Well, to be really honest, there might be one or two things which ended up here without him having the chance to have his say. But he doesn’t remember!
Who does what?
We more or less do everything together. For example, I insisted on having wallpaper, but he chose it. Arthur is often in galleries, so he’s regularly taken with things which, when I also like it, end up on our walls! Of course I’m not talking about a Bacon! I’m talking about young artists.
Among the pieces of design or other objects you have, which one is your favourite?
It’s hard to choose just one… I’m very fond of my rubber: my grandmother designed it and it was embroidered in her workshop. I’m also a fan of the photographs Charlotte Toscan, my sister-in-law, takes. I admire the watercolours by Georges Valmier, the great-great-grandfather of my children. I love the furniture by India Mahdavi, with whom I have been working for 6 years… Well actually the list goes on!
Where do you spend the most of your time?
In my bed! I stay in bed during the weekends’ mornings, and I read and work there…
Which design piece would you dream of having someday?
It would rather be a work of art. By Rina Banerjee by Sandrine Rondard, by Lionel Estève, by Orlandi Nazareno, etc.
A kitsch object you love?
The portraits of my children during skiing holidays.
When you are looking for a piece of furniture, where do you intuitively go?
I look for furniture in India Mahdavi’s collections, and I go to flea markets, to the website AM.PM. and Fleux.
What is missing at your home?
A new dining room table. And plants! I’d like 2 or 3 more.
Is it easy to combine family life and nice decoration?
Yes. However, it’s not easy to combine family life and tidying up. I wish my apartment would always look like the apartment on these pictures, but children = mess!
Is there a good restaurant you would recommend us?
Abri Soba, rue Saulnier, in the IXᵉ arrondissement of Paris. It’s delicious!
Photography & Text: Constance Gennari @thesocialitefamily
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