Some Guillaume Alan‘s earliest design memories include the Louvre’s magnificent ordered square courtyard, the Cour Carrée, and the tranquil simplicity of Mies Van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion in Spain. These memories fostered a love of classical purity that can still be seen in all of his work today.
At the age of 22, Alan opened his own studio in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris. By 2011, he had a second design studio, this time in Mayfair, London, a space to cater to his new international clientele. True to the finest tradition of French design and décorateurs ensembliers, the designer specialises in architecture, interior decoration and furniture design in the realms of residential, hospitality, and retail.
Words such as elegance and refinement, purity and flawlessness can be used to describe his work. Strong lines and proportions are always balanced with douceur (softness). There is an obsession with detail, and with schemes that are tactile and luxurious—fine woods (such as oak or ash), brushed finishes, natural marble, brass, natural linen, soft leather, wool, silk and bronze–are his signature. The designer’s aesthetic may be restrained in architecture and elements, but, in his words, opulent in spirit. Alan regards the interiors he creates as being imbued with serenity, calm, and emotion.
Here, in a 19th-century Haussmannian Paris apartment near the Trocadéro with views of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower, we see an example of all the elements that make up his signature style come together. It is a study in restraint, a space that is held together by natural materials, custom-made pieces, archways, original mosaic tiles, gold accents and bronze, and a monochrome colour palette that is perfect for the clean slate that is a brand new year…
