Sarah Lavoine

À la Française

By Hend Seif El Din

After a rigorous training at Sabine Marchal’s design agency–who also happened to be her mother–Lavoine joined Francois Schmidt’s interior architect firm, where she developed and nurtured her taste for contemporary aesthetics. Untainted by strict academic rules, she allowed her refined and elegant taste to spring forth, creating a balance between luxury and excellent craftsmanship. In redefining a new lifestyle à la Française, the designer strives to amplify natural light and make color stand out; in doing so, she also uses her color palette to structure a space.

With respect to her influences, Lavoine talks about her multicultural vagabond lifestyle, which becomes evident in her eclectic designs. From tribal rugs of Marrakech, which invoke Morocco, to bamboo shells, which invoke the Purity of the Balinese spirit, she also has a profound passion for architecture and its wide array of styles. Further influences include painting and sculpture.

Her boutique, located on 9 rue Saint-Roch in Paris, is a haven, which combines her multicultural spirit and universe. On display are some of Lavoine’s personal favorites, including tables by Gubi, lamps by Paola Navone, and of course some of her own, unique creations.Renowned for its simple and balanced lines, as well as its uncluttered feel, the designer’s furniture and houseware collection is also defined by its curves, which mimic nature. Using contrasting materials and colors, her works reinterpret the soft Scandinavian forms in a modern manner. From organic shaped mirrors, such as Organique and 50s-styled-ones, the likes of Ovo, to functional, stylish and art deco influenced tables, most of her furniture pieces come in an array of finishes and colors. As for her lighting collection, the Goa Wall Light is definitely a must-have. Breaking all the rules of classic interior design, this masterpiece also reflects Lavoine’s art deco influences. Finally, the designer also created a candle collection, which embodies her personality: feminine and sophisticated. With scents ranging from amber and sandalwood to fig tree, the aromatic scents will definitely add warmth to any space.

Other than her iconic boutique, the artist has a long list of achievements, among which are a book which retraces her professional path, titled Architecture Intérieure, published in 2011 by La Martinière Publishing, the exaggerated Volumes of Pavillon Vendôme, where–in 2011–she transformed the former banker’s sports club into a luxurious Parisian reception hall. In 2010, Lavoine developed her first collection of 50 paint hues titled Black & White, followed by her first scented candle, Quintessence, which was spiced with coriander and cumin. Her latest project to date is one where she collaborated with architect Francois Schmidt to completely reconfigure the CFOC–the Compagne Française de l’Orient et de la Chine–which is dedicated to Oriental lifestyle. The new and completely redesigned CFOC is home to collections created by the dynamic duo, as well as those designed by young and upcoming designers.