SALON: Jean-Louis, what is your trend forecast for 2017? Style, colors, prints?
Jean-Louis Denot: Everything is natural in fashion. Everything related to the natural principle. The second powerful trend is ethnic motives. And what is interesting: monointeriors, referring to some one cultural tradition, are becoming a thing of the past. Vases from South America, Moroccan carpets, Indian textiles have become part of the same project - globalization is relevant not only in politics, but also in design. As for the gamut, we have lived in the white paradigm for a long time. However, nowadays, juicy, deep colors are used more and more often.
The undisputed hits are emerald and dark blue. It's also time for catchy prints. Don't fill the whole room with them, though. It is enough to decorate one or two walls, the rest can be simply painted. Some of the walls may be dark, some may be light. Although dark shades create a cozy feeling, I recommend diluting them with lighter ones. To avoid claustrophobia.
S: How do you assess the forecasts of the Pantone Color Institute? Let's ask directly: can they be trusted?
JD: I think this is a convenient coordinate system, but nothing more. So, some of the colors announced by Pantone for this year are simply unbearable!
S: You have clients all over the world, including Moscow. How do you work with Russians?
JD: For a long time, there was an opinion in Europe that the Russians came out of nowhere. From the 1990s, and immediately with a lot of money. This is not the case. Take Russia and France, for example. Both countries are rich in history and culture. We share DNA.
SALON: Tell us about the most unusual project in your practice.
JD: We are currently decorating the famous Bergdorf Goodman department store in New York: 2000 square meters of space for more than four thousand pairs of shoes! Minimalism is in play, but women feel uncomfortable in the midst of sharp corners. We will place them in a more familiar environment - interiors in light colors by analogy with a boudoir, such rooms of modern Marie Antoinette.
S: This year is marked by your collaboration with the BAKER brand. Tell us about it.
J. D.: BAKER exclusively produces my collection of furniture, lamps and accessories. These are aesthetic, but not obligatory things. I don't want the customer to feel embarrassed. It is a luxury, but in a casual chic format. The only format of luxury that is possible these days, in my opinion.