When I first moved to Paris, a friend of mine and Parisian interior designer, graciously organized a day excursion throughout the city to introduce me to some of her favorite shops and artisans. We sped through Paris on her Vespa like a scene in Roman Holiday. Although lacking the grace of Audrey Hepburn, I clung on to the back of the bike trying desperately to not fall off while trying to look like a natural.

The first stop was Marie’s apartment in the 8th arrondisement where she has a small showroom by appointment. It was a coup de cœur when I saw her beautiful porcelain wares. As charming as she is creative, Marie is passionate about keeping the French tradition of Limoges porcelain alive.  She has spent more than 30 years creating her own signature collection of colorful tableware that is hand-painted and crafted in France.  Her modern approach to this French tradition allows you to mix and match her “au courant” patterns creating a luxurious table setting for every occasion.  

She has since opened up her own flagship boutique at 12 rue de Tournon in the 6th arrondisement just steps away from the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Marie was kind enough to do a Q&A with me awhile back, and I highly recommend venturing over to her Instagram feed where she has been opening the doors of her elegant home to share inspirations for her designs and ideas for how to incorporate her pieces into various tablescapes.

Q: What was the genesis of your eponymous porcelain line?

A:  It was by chance! When I was young, I wanted to go to Les Beaux Arts, but my parents didn’t want me to become an artist, so I went to business school!

After business school, I then did what I loved: studying art history at the École du Louvre, and in the meantime, I started painting on porcelain with friends for fun. I always loved to paint, since my childhood. I used to paint in ateliers and all my notebooks at school were covered with drawings.

I quickly organized with some friends a few private sales because I couldn’t stock my production everywhere in my house! It became quite a big success as my style and patterns were very different from anything else. They were very colorful, which was a new concept at this time – and this was 25 years ago! I continued to create more pieces and started to sell to shops and my first big order was for Barneys in NYC!

I had the great privilege to learn a lot about porcelain with an older craftsman who adopted me as his “daughter in painting.” He showed me all the painting secrets – how to use the colors, how to use the brush to fire the pieces and to use gold. He taught me patience and I discovered with him the exciting moment when you open the large oven and discover the pieces. It’s like Christmas every time!

Q:  What attracted you to the art of porcelain?

A: I fell in love with Limoges and this marvelous tradition. I love the fact that it brings beauty to a table as each important event in life brings you generally around the table! It is part of the feast.

Q: What inspires you as you begin to conceptualize a new collection?

A: I always have my little Moleskin with me so I can make sketches every time I see a motif or a color combination I love. Inspiration can come from everywhere: fabrics, exhibitions, a dress, architecture, and a lot from nature. In nature there is never bad taste; and nature can be so creative and combine the most amazing colors and always remains beautiful.

Q: How would you describe the French approach to craftsmanship and savoir-faire?

A: Savoir-faire and savoir-vivre are part of our culture and history. We have in our country a treasure of tradition and savoir-faire is inherited from our tradition. It is a duty to keep it alive and to respect the slow and precise process. The tradition of the hand-painted porcelain is part of it, and it is such a privilege to keep it alive.

Q: What constitutes luxury to you?

A: Luxury is tailor-made; the beauty of something rare; a piece that is unique, made only for you that cannot be found everywhere. It is slow-made. Luxury does not have an economical logic. It is a luxury to be able to wait for something that will be handcrafted with love and patience. It is something that brings you emotion. In a world where everything needs to be done quickly and efficiently, luxury is about taking the time to enjoy the process of creating. Time is necessary to both make the object beautiful but also to enjoy the beauty of that object.

Q: Have you had a favorite project or collaboration?

A: We worked on a tailor-made place setting for a client who bought a huge castle in Scotland. He had this tartan made by Paul Smith, and we created the settings to match it. I loved the energy given to make this old Scottish tradition come alive.

I also love the collaboration with chefs like Guy Martin. To be inspired by their creativity with amazing food and to inspire them with our plates in their creations - it is a very exciting exchange.

I love to work with interior designers and their clients for specific house projects, but also yachts and jets. Spending hours and hours to create a fantastic assortment of collections and colors to match the harmony of their house and way of living allows you to bring enjoyment into their daily life surrounded with refinement. 

Q: Where do you find inspiration in Paris?

A: I love to go to exhibitions and museums.

Q: Do you have a “Paris Secret” you’d like to share?

A: I particularly love the surrounding areas of the Parc Monceau. It is the real Haussmann part of Paris in all its power and history. I particularly love the Musée Camondeau.

Q: What is an example of an ideal vacation or weekend?

A: In Paris we have a very hectic and intensive social life. I don’t complain because I like it like this, so for the weekend we love to be in the countryside, especially at our family property where we enjoy gardening, being with close friends and family, taking time to make flower bouquets, to dress beautiful tables, to cook and to have a quiet time in the green spaces.

For holidays, I love the mountains, the wild ones. I love to be in places that are not trendy and crowded places, which are just for me and a few happy lovers discovering secret places. I am also half Austrian, so I absolutely need my days in the summer on the lake.

Q: Is there a motto or specific philosophy you live by?

A: To be confident in destiny

Q: What is one of your vices?

A: My last cigarette alone before going to bed! It is often the first and the last.

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