Established in 2004, Gilles & Boissier is synonymous with Parisian chic. Its founders Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier are renowned for their fresh, contemporary interpretations of traditional French codes. Both were raised in artistic families, and both studied interior architecture – Gilles at Ecole Camondo, Boissier at Penninghen. They met while working in the studio of Christian Liaigre, another bastion of French design.
‘Our philosophy is based on the legacy of this country’s craftsmanship,’ says Boissier. ‘We like playing with a balance between tradition and modernity to create spaces rooted in cultural and architectural authenticity, and strive to capture the French art of living by designing places that combine elegance and adaptability.’
Gilles, whose great uncle was the sculptor Joseph Monin, says the pair are often inspired by contemporary art, incorporating artistic elements into their interiors. ‘We are also deeply influenced by 18th-century French décor, for its refinement and perfect, classical proportions,’ he adds. As well as working on interiors, the studio also produces its own range of furniture and accessories, reinterpreting everyday objects using high-quality materials and ‘ancestral skills’.
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What are their recent projects? The pair have restored Maison Courvoisier, the historic headquarters of the revered cognac house on the banks of the Charente River in Jarnac. The building, which dates back to 1857, has been reimagined in warm tones and rich woods. ‘We enjoy collaborating with artists to commission unique works,’ says Boissier. ‘For many years, we have worked with François Houtin, whose hand-painted frescoes harmoniously interact with architecture. We enlisted him to create two monumental frescoes in the tasting room. They depict the banks of the Charente, immersing visitors in the atmosphere of the region.’
In Milan, they have created a private apartment in serene green and greige shades for a client who adores Parisian classicism. ‘We transformed a former office into a an elevated space, using polished Ceppo di Gré marble in homage to the iconic stones of Milan,’ says Gilles.
What are they currently working on? Gilles & Boissier is designing numerous boutiques around the world for fashion brand Moncler, including a New York flagship on Fifth Avenue, its largest ever opening. ‘In these stores, we have reinvented the classic codes of mouldings by carving them in unexpected materials such as travertine and lava stone, thus transforming traditional elements with a novel expression,’ says Boissier. ‘We enjoy playing with contrasts, such as rough stone and heavily brushed wood, or lacquered surfaces and soft textiles.’ The studio is also working on several hotels: among them are a Dorchester Collection landmark in Dubai, a Mandarin Oriental in Rome and an Oetker Collection venue in Saint-Tropez.
They say: ‘We do not merely arrange spaces: each project is a true architectural composition, where the placement of a door, an arch or a moulding is carefully considered.’ gillesetboissier.com
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Gilles & Boissier on the secrets to achieving Parisian chic at home
Mouldings are a simple yet powerful architectural element. We use them to enhance spaces, playing with proportions and finishes to create a subtle balance between tradition and modernity. In our Milan apartment project, layered mouldings decorate each room, reinforcing the original character of the place.
Parisian style relies on a meticulous selection of natural materials – we favour wood, marble, plaster and bronze, which gain character with time. They bring a tactile, warm dimension to any space, imparting an air of authenticity.
In a classical, black and white interior, it is essential to layer textures and play with contrasts between matte and glossy, smooth and rough. We like to emphasise oppositions while softening them with natural elements, such as wood and linen. In our Moncler boutiques, the brand’s identity relies on black and white, but we have enlivened this monochrome scheme by exploring rich materials: rare marbles, metal and stone.
Treat interiors as if they are classical façades, which are very symmetrical. This is an idea we have used for some of our projects to structure the space, adding perspective and aligned sequences of doors, windows and mouldings. At The Lana, Dorchester Collection in Dubai, we did this with large marble shelves to create symmetry around imposing arched bay windows.
