It’s hard to imagine Christiane Lemieux assembling backpacks and corralling kids for school but this is how the design doyenne lives. The mother of two resides in a downtown loft and on her time off from family duties sets the pulse in home decor. Perhaps motherhood is why her designs are spot on with her bold mix of geometric linens and chandeliers that appear modeled from Cleopatra’s jewelry box. Real people cannot worry about spillage on the cashmere throw.
boy’s room designed with an attention to colors, wallpaper and fine pieces, copyright by David A. Land.
Lemieux’s life practices translate to her aesthetic. She values quality, sustainability and how urbanites in smaller spaces capitalize on good design. There is a personalized blend in a finer home that an interior designer cannot replicate with their paper furniture cutouts and decorator discounts at stores with their own catalog. You may find a leopard print rug aside a golden mid-century chaise or painting hung over heavy drapery. You won’t be able to go into the room and source where all the furnishings came from. In fact the owner most likely has a story on how the items were acquired to further distinguish their space. This is what Christiane Lemieux reveals in her new design book The Finer Things.
Bedroom with layered fabric treatments, copyright by Eric Piasecki / OTTO.
Lemieux avoids design rules but is true to a few basic principles that hinge on an appreciation of quality. “I am a Millennial at heart,” she says. “They are the generation who believes in quality.” While Millennials buy less they make the investment in quality pieces that can easily be supplemented with lesser-valued items. To Lemieux the approach is both modern and classic, like the Parisian woman who has the Hermes scarf all her life and supplements with pieces from Zara.
Dramatic use of paint and color, copyright by Eric Piasecki / OTTO; interior design by Steven Gambrel.
“People do not decorate with period end of sentence. It is fluid. A reflection as to who they are,” says Lemieux. She features a representation of rich spaces that do not follow a generic design formula but they all share an appreciation of finer things. “I found the best experts in their field,” she says. The professed researcher and “huge nerd” began the project by researching the Conde Nast archives, gaining insight on the history of quality design, the foundation of all enduring trends. For those interested in wallpaper she went to Mitchell Ehrlich who added such treatments to the White House.
Blue sitting area with upholstered furniture, copyright by Michael Paul / Living Inside.
In The Finer Things Lemieux guides readers to the world’s most elegant residences that feature a variety of styles. She formats the book into a design encyclopedia with supporting imagery and useful information on walls, floors, furniture, textiles, accessories and resources. Even the golden patterned hard cover has designer cred as a handsome book that will seamlessly fit on well-designed shelves or tables.
Office with salon wall, copyright by Roger Davies with permission of Architectural Digest; interior design by Kelly Wearstler.
Christiane Lemieux’s Design Tips:
When to Invest: Put the research into strong investment pieces and where to take shortcuts.
Artisanal Approach: Pieces that are handmade by top craftspeople is a key component to quality design
To DIY or Not DIY: I love DIY but be aware of when to bring in the experts. Some things are more challenging, like wallpaper, and it will not meet your expectations unless it’s done correctly.
Comfort Is Foremost: Home is all about comfort, which loses its relaxed presence when it is overly done right down to the karate chop in the pillow.
Personalized Places: The most interesting homes are when people style it their own way.
Fashionable Features: Design is much more fluid. What we are seeing online and in fashion is all fusing into your home. Social media has blown the parameters off of what you can view. I compare design to fashion because it is much more of the moment. Once decorators were paid handsomely for projects that would be lived in for 20 years. People are now switching up their spaces more often.
Keeping It Real: I switch things up regularly due to the wear and tear from kids. I want guests to not feel they have to take their shoes off. Layers provide warmth, like throws and pillows, which can be switched out for the seasons.
