1:1 DePARIS
Known for their immersive spaces and tech-forward approach to interior design, Parisian design duo DeParis create jaw-dropping interiors that hold your attention the second you enter them. For Co-Founders Romain Malara and Maxime Besson, the French art of living is deeply ingrained in every facet of their process. The studio prides itself on drawing inspiration from this rich cultural tapestry, ensuring that each project embodies elegance and sophistication from one moment to the next. Now operating globally with talented teams of architects, interior designers, decorators, and graphic designers in Paris, London, and Dubai, Romain & Maxime continue to push the boundaries of design, crafting spaces that are not only visually stunning but also a homage to the timeless French aesthetic. Here's what the duo had to say when Rosi sat down with them…
| 1:1 with Maxime Besson and Romain Malara of DePARIS |
What led you both to a career in design?
Romain: We have very different backgrounds… I’m an architect and I've worked as a developer. I think a taste for beauty and a desire to create spaces that make an impression on people led us to launch a design studio. When I was younger, I remember visiting craftsmen's workshops in Sardinia with my father, thinking that one day I would design beautiful and comfortable spaces.
Maxime is an entrepreneur. He loves building and telling himself that we will be able to come back to one of the places we have designed in ten years and that the place will remain timeless. The most important thing for him is to give pleasure and for clients to be proud of their interior, to feel good there, in a cocoon.
What do you love the most about your work?
Maxime: Each project is a new encounter, a new adventure that pushes the boundaries of our creativity. We are passionate and totally dedicated to our clients, all around the world. We love offering them an exclusive, tailor-made experience. We find satisfaction when we see the customer's eyes light up. And sometimes when we're designing, we feel a sensation that makes us say: There's something special here.
How did you end up teaming up to create DePARIS?
Romain: Before we became partners, we were friends for a long time. With a shared desire to do things and launch projects. We're creators. We like to have an idea or a project, structure it, create a team around it, and put it into action. Giving life to an idea—making it concrete—that's what motivates us.
Maxime: Our passion for architecture and design naturally led us to set up a studio, but to do things differently. We question ourselves every day. The key to succeeding in architecture and Interior Design is for us to be humble and erase our ego. We affirm our choices but the final one rests with our clients.
Your spaces are beautifully material-forward and hyper-tactile. What materials do you often reach for?
Romain: Through our materials, we want to awaken the senses. This awakening leads to a refinement of the senses.
Maxime: We like to use materials such as wood, marble, stone, mother-of-pearl and metal, always with a focus on local craftsmanship and work as much as we can with sustainable materials. To be honest it is not always simple because we have to evangelize our clients to the matter. Each material has an intrinsic value, and the beauty of our job is that we get to meet craftsmen who transform the material and bring our designs to life.
Your work is very shapely—from curvaceous silhouettes to angular architecture. How did you develop your signature aesthetic?
Romain: Our architecture is marked by the notion of harmony and balance. And then suddenly an accident creates a unique design. Our DNA is that of Paris. We love reinterpreting the historic codes of Parisian mansions. They inspire us a lot. This is our beacon. And this highling produces unique projects.
Talk to me about your creative process—what’s your typical jumping-off point with a client?
Maxime: Each project is a bit like creating a new startup. All of them are absolutely unique, we never copy and paste a style. At the same time, our role is to onboard the best people of our team
and be sure they fit with the project.
Romain: First, we always take the time to have a long discussion with our clients. About their habits, the way they experience spaces, the locations they like, their artistic taste… It’s a bit like having to design a custom dress or suit for them. You won't necessarily wear it all your life, but you should feel comfortable in it for a long time!
Romain: Each project must tell a story, which is why once we have understood our clients' brief, our role is to transform their dreams into reality. We work on many sketches by hand, we spend a lot of time in our materials library because touching the materials is something essential for us. There is a very sensual side to the process.
“The French Art of Living represents a commitment to quality, authenticity, and the pursuit of a life well-lived.”
What does the French Art of Living mean to you?
Romain: The French Art of Living embodies a harmonious blend of elegance, culture, and appreciation for life's simple pleasures. It's about savoring moments, whether it's enjoying a leisurely meal with friends and family, taking a stroll through picturesque streets, or relishing the beauty of art and literature.
Maxime: It's a celebration of good food, fine wine, and the pursuit of refined tastes, all while maintaining a sense of balance and joie de vivre. It's also about cultivating an aesthetic sensibility, finding beauty in everyday surroundings, and embracing a certain savoir-faire in one's demeanor and interactions. The French Art of Living represents a commitment to quality, authenticity, and the pursuit of a life well-lived.
Are there any trends or happenings in the current interiors industry that you’re really drawn to or excited by?
Maxime: We're genuinely excited about how virtual reality (VR) is revolutionizing the interiors industry. VR technology allows designers and consumers alike to immerse themselves in virtual spaces, providing a realistic preview of how different design elements will look and feel before making any physical changes. This not only enhances the design process but also helps clients better visualize and understand proposed concepts.
Romain: Moreover, the resurgence of artisanal craftsmanship is a trend that we find particularly captivating and complementary to VR technology. While VR offers cutting-edge tools for design visualization, we're witnessing a renewed appreciation for the handmade, unique, and artisanal in interior design. By combining VR with artisanal craftsmanship, we can create immersive experiences that showcase the intricate details and craftsmanship of handmade pieces within virtual environments.
{OFF THE CUFF WITH ROMAIN MALARA}
Hometown | Paris
Coffee or Tea | Ristretto per favore
Never without | My sunglasses
Mantra | Memento audere semper
Signature cocktail | Negroni
Recent Splurge | A painting
Penthouse or Townhouse | Penthouse
Song you wish you wrote the lyrics to | l’appuntamento, ornella vanoni
Go-to museum | Museo del 900 in Milan for these futuristic art
Trip you’re itching to take | South Africa to dive with sharks
Favourite restaurant in London | Last was the Mayfair kitchen, i liked the balance betwenitalian and japonese taste
Favourite restaurant anywhere| l’ostéria del corso à Milan for the feeling of being at home eating grandma's cooking
Every home needs | A wall to hang paintings on
Design is |The art of renewing things
Art can | Be a passion that makes us do crazy things
If I were a color it would be | Black
I am deeply grateful for | My parents always supported me
The world needs more | People with dreams
{OFF THE CUFF WITH MAXIME BESSON}
Hometown | Le Puy en Velay - Where I come from in the countryside (UNESCO City)
Coffee or Tea | Tea Sencha
Never without | My watch, the only jewel I wear!
Mantra | Never give up
Signature cocktail | Strawberry Daiquiri
Recent Splurge | A big box of Alain Ducasse Chocolate
Penthouse or Townhouse | Townhouse
Song you wish you wrote the lyrics to | Dust in the Wind
Go-to museum | Louvre
Trip you’re itching to take | Costa Rica to reconnect with nature
Favourite restaurant in London | 5 Hertford Street
Favourite restaurant anywhere | Pic in Valence
Every home needs | Antics
Design is | Intemporel
Art can | Have to give me emotion (positive or negative)
If I were a color it would be | Navy Blue
I’m deeply grateful for | The values transmitted by my parents “Never forget from where you are”
The world needs more | Artists who want to change the world
