Inspiration series private Paris

Interview with Quitterie de Pascal of Mise en Scene Interior Design.

A look back at the renovation of an apartment for wine enthusiasts in the ^17th arrondissement of Paris.

What does the word "design" mean to you?

When I think of "design," I think first of all of furniture; a design piece is a well thought out piece, with its shape and lines designed to be aesthetic, beautiful, but also comfortable. Which, by the way, is not always the case! In my opinion, it also represents an atmosphere, with for me a rather contemporary dimension in terms of style.

Do you see a real trend to include wine cabinets in living rooms?

Wine cabinets are increasingly spotted in Parisian apartments, so yes, there is a real trend to include them in interior design. Traditionally, a wine cabinet was practical but not very attractive, making it difficult to include it visually, so it was often hidden. Thanks in particular to EuroCave, there are now very attractive wine cabinets that are ideal for display in interiors, making wines an integral part of the interior.

Can you describe the Tocqueville project, the renovation of a 166 m2 apartment in the 17th arrondissement of Paris?

The ambiance of the apartment is very modern, with stylish, contemporary materials and a touch of old wood here and there to add warmth. The wine cabinet was brought into an already established atmosphere with the iconic Saarinen marble tulip table in particular. Our client is a big wine enthusiast, so from our first meeting he told us he wanted a wine cabinet to feature prominently in the project.

How did you manage to include the wine cabinet in this project?

The wine cabinet - and more generally, a bar - had to be given a prominent place in the open space, the owner's living room, dining room. We designed a real, custom-made bar and metal shelves with backlighting, just like those in a real bar, for his tastings.

Why choose a EuroCave and, more specifically, the Inspiration model?

The choice of the Inspiration model came from our client. He asked our opinion only in terms of design. I thought the Inspiration wine cabinet was ideal. All black to match the decor, including wooden shelves and backlighting. The only thing missing was the custom-made surround.

What were the design phases of the custom-built conversion?

For our project, we went to the cabinet in the showroom, we even filmed every nook and cranny of it, so we knew it by heart! EuroCave also gave us the cabinet in Sketchup (3D) format, so it was easier to design the wooden unit. In particular, we made recessed handles in the material to make opening the wine cabinet easier and to avoid adding additional handles on the front, so the overall look was not too heavy.

What was the reaction of your clients when you delivered the project?

They were really very happy; they now have their ideal wine cabinet that has become a real design piece in their living room!