Aire met Adeline Papon, founder of APAN. She reveals how she thinks and creates design furniture.
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
I am Adeline Papon, head of APAN. The company was founded in 2015. I have a diploma in applied metal design and crafts from École Boule. Before that, I completed some CAPs in ironwork and bronze mounting.
What does APAN mean and what do you produce?
APAN is here A contraction of my first and last name: Adeline Papon. The funny little thing is that at a fair, a Swedish woman told me that "apan" means "little monkey" in Swedish. So I often use it! *laughs* Especially for the Sarù range, which means little monkey in Japanese.
So I produce design furniture Made In France. I make small series, custom creations, and unique pieces. For the small series, I manufacture furniture that is functional, playful, and customizable. The unique creations I produce are made from noble materials such as brass, wood, oak, etc.
How did you enter the world of furniture and custom furniture?
Thanks to my training at the École Boule. Afterwards, I worked in a company that made luxury furniture. It was already deeply rooted in my mind; I wanted to create my own workshop. After learning well, I decided to set up my own furniture production workshop.
Can you describe your creative process and your way of working?
There is always something playful in what I do. My furniture articulates, disassembles, and moves. It always has to be functional.
I am increasingly trying to move towards more ecological materials. I try to work with recycled plastic and bio-based paints.
I also collaborate with designers to bring a professional perspective to the assembly and construction of the furniture. They therefore choose from A to Z how the furniture will be (shape, colors, materials…)
I have clients who ask me for unique creations. So I try to understand the atmosphere they want. Then I propose a personal creation through drawings.
Finally, for small series, I do everything from A to Z. I draw, do the 3D design, the model, the prototype, and finally the execution of the series.
Can you explain the functional design of your Sarù collection?
For the Sarù project, I was commissioned to make a base. However, at the time I had just started my business. I only had my Citroën C1. So, the base didn’t fit in the car! But I had to make the delivery. I thought of a solution. That’s when I came up with the idea of a stackable and detachable base without any fasteners.
How do you define your profession, and what qualities are required?
Regarding my profession, when I worked for someone else, I was doing execution. I had a style of furniture to make and I executed the pieces one after another. So, I needed to master the technique and have know-how. Being self-employed, I need both the know-how, mastery of the technique, and a great imagination to develop projects. You have to have many skills. You have to be a merchant, accountant, salesperson, know how to work on a computer, use software, and do all this in the workshop. It's a real multitask!
Do you think your profession will need to reinvent itself? Especially with the pandemic we are going through?
I tried to digitize my business, but it wasn't very successful. I got a bit overwhelmed by everything already available on the internet. As a result, the year was a bit complicated. But for the past 4 months, things have been picking up! I feel like people need to return to art, to things that come from France, products with a story behind them. Ultimately, this restart is quite promising.
Do you think decoration has an impact on our moods and well-being?
Yes, absolutely! Having a beautiful home is very important to me. Beauty has always been essential to the soul of men and women. That’s what I see currently. For several months now, people have been interested in beautiful and unique things. They want to have something special. They come to me to get an exceptional piece. I think it’s essential to have a beautiful interior and to know where our products come from and how they were made.
Do you have a project you dream of realizing one day?
There are plenty of projects I’d like to realize. *Laughs* What interests me would be subcontracting small series like the Sarù collection. That way, I could focus on unique pieces. Something more artistic, especially in design. I’d like to make large pieces and create somewhat more monumental works on demand.
What are your sources of inspiration?
I draw a lot of inspiration from Art Deco and the Crafts for atmospheres. I look quite a bit at the French art workshops, seeing what’s being done. I’m also interested in the Kraft project. It brings together French artisans who have expertise and produce very beautiful pieces with quality materials. I would say my style is inspired by nature.
Do you have any Instagram or Facebook accounts you particularly like? (Whether brands or individuals)
I like “petite friture,” which brings together quite a few designers including Constance Guisset, whom I appreciate and recommend.
Finally, what do you think about the Pegboard and modular design? Should we prefer a single-function object? Or does multifunctionality offer solutions that fit our lifestyles?
I’m really moving towards multifunctionality. I think people quickly get bored of an object. It needs to change without having to buy the same thing again. Giving people the possibility to keep the furniture they buy a little longer, while personalizing and reinventing it over the years, is great! I see it with the Sarù range; there’s a storage aspect that works well. I think it’s quite essential to be able to have evolving furniture.
Interview conducted by Clara Didier
Formatted by Coralie Mottu
0 comments