Aire goes to meet decoration professionals. For this first interview, we met Coline Thomas, interior decorator. She talks to us about recent trends and her daily work.
Hello, can you introduce yourself?
My name is Coline, I’m 23 years old and I’ve been an interior decorator since March 2018.
In which region do you work?
I live in the Grand Est region, more precisely in the Vosges. Most of my clients are remote clients. So I work all over France. I’ve recently worked in the Basque Country, Pyrénées-Orientales, and quite a bit in the Paris region.
Background and first projects
What is your background?
I’m 23 and have been working as a decorator for almost 3 years. I had a chaotic school path and then an unexpected opportunity. I decided to start my own business, first out of passion, and gave myself 1 year to succeed. Theoretically, I have no formal training. I have my high school diploma and that’s it.
I grew up in an artist family, so creativity was part of my upbringing.
What was your first opportunity?
I lived in the south for 5 years and wanted to start my own business. I started from scratch. I was put in touch with a craftsman, who then introduced me to an entrepreneur, and so on. That’s how the network was built. I was 20 and decided to start my own business partly thanks to him.
Why didn’t you go to school?
I didn’t go to school because I didn’t feel like studying architecture for 5 years. Design schools were too expensive for me. I told myself I would find another path. It’s a bit of an unusual journey, but the important thing is that it works.
Interior decoration
What is the job of an interior decorator?
I think every professional has their own definition of the job and their vision of what they want to convey through their work.
For me, what speaks to me in decoration and what drives me is creating a place that allows the client to feel good. I want to give a feeling of security and well-being in the spaces I create.
In your opinion, what qualities are required to work as an interior decorator?
In my opinion, the number one quality is: is to be attentive to your clientsYou have to be able to understand their needs, desires, all the little details… Their daily way of living... This is really important before thinking about decor, colors, furniture. Above all, you have to know how to listen.
In my opinion, the number one quality is to be attentive to your clients
The second quality is that you need to have a form of pragmatismYou have to know how to frame your clients’ projects. So it’s important to create a connection and build a trusting relationship with each of them. In every project, compromises will have to be found. Often clients have somewhat wild dreams that are far from their constraints, for example regarding space size or budget. The role of the interior decorator is to keep a level head to guide clients coherently.
The third quality needed for an interior decorator is creativityYou have to learn to step out of your comfort zone.
What is your usual working method?
I don’t have a fixed production process. I’m not a fixed framework. It all depends on the clients and where they are located.
Afterwards, I have exchange processes with my clients. I spend time talking with them, then I create a 3D model of their space. The digital tool really helps them envision the space and have a first experience.
Without imposing it on your clients, would you say your work has a particular style?
I definitely have my own style. You’ll find hints of Scandinavian, industrial, and some slightly bohemian notes… It often depends on mood, the season, all that. But the most important thing is to offer projects that reflect our clients, and that they find their own universe again.
I actually like to say that I’m a decorator for the poor.
What do clients who call on an interior decorator look like?
Clients sometimes fear the price. I actually like to say that I a decorator for the poorWhat I mean is that I like to find tricks to create a wow effect on a small budget.
I don’t like flashy projects with big marble slabs and leather sofas. These aren’t projects I identify with, and I wouldn’t see myself working in that kind of environment.
I focus more on family projects, looking for tips for a place that will be lived in daily.
Often clients who call on a decorator think they will have to do a crazy project. In reality, you have to build a project with them in which they will feel good.
Decor trends & inspirations
What are the decor trends for 2021?
For the autumn-winter season, I imagine something quite minimalist, with relatively curved lines, and light natural materials to soften it all a bit.
As for the color range, it’s like betting on a racehorse—you’re never sure of the outcome. I would go for a palette of violet, lavender. We’re starting to see it everywhere, in ready-to-wear, kitchens, etc. So I wouldn’t be surprised if it shows up in the world of decor.
I don’t follow all the trends. I rely on the atmospheres and the mood of my clients.
Do you notice a recurring decor style in your clients’ requests?
It’s quite paradoxical compared to my previous statements: deep down, clients primarily want something functional and timeless. Because it’s still ingrained in people’s minds that furniture and decor are expensive. You don’t want to repaint your walls every 4 years. So, clients tend to have a long-term vision.
Clients want beautiful colors, “but not too flashy,” nice furniture, “but not too extravagant,” etc. That’s why we often lean towards the Scandinavian style. It’s typically functional and aesthetic.
I think there is now a huge gap growing between discount and high-end. It ultimately reflects what we see in our society. We live in an environment where there are the very, very rich and the very, very poor. And it’s becoming difficult to find a middle ground.
I see decoration and furniture brands that are very high-end, very good quality, but whose products are inaccessible. And alongside that, it’s possible to hunt for bargains, buy secondhand, renovate, and regularly browse accessible stores.
Today, decor is no longer a luxury.
If you had to give decorating tips to a reader?
- Take the time to identify what you want.
- Hunt, rummage, observe, compare, and find what you’re looking for. Don’t rush into the first opportunity.
- And if you’re handy, do it yourself! DIY.
I’m as passionate about DIY as I am about decor. Making furniture costs nothing. It’s within everyone’s reach. I learned on the job, and now I even know how to make a wardrobe.
To cite a recent example, Ikea released a collection with wardrobes and burlap fabric. The product range costs between €300 and €400. I made my own wardrobe inspired by these products, and it cost me less than €100. The product isn’t necessarily perfect, but it’s also very rewarding to make things yourself.
In your opinion, how will the interior decorator profession evolve in the coming years?
I hope the profession will “evolve well.” But what’s increasingly obvious is that more and more decorators are found online. Ordering your interior design online has grown tremendously. Doing an online study costs a bit less than having a professional come to your home. Online renderings are becoming more frequent. Clients get an immediate projection. With new technologies, the renderings are hyper-realistic. The public realizes that redecorating their interior isn’t as expensive as it used to be.
However, with new technologies, physical contact is being lost. We can observe this in other sectors, and it’s something that scares me. It’s a trend that worries me.
The lockdown completely disrupted the relational aspect of work. There are many things you understand in non-verbal communication, a lot of information you can’t perceive through fully digital means.
Purely utopically, what would be the project of your dreams?
I have plenty, and one lifetime wouldn’t be enough to accomplish them all!
One project that stands out from the others would be to participate in the renovation of an old building to create guest rooms. That way I could share the love of decoration while mixing it with the joy of meeting others. That’s something I would like. It’s not a crazy project, so maybe one day!
Can you share your sources of inspiration with us?
I use Instagram a lot among other things. You can find almost everything there. I can share 3 big accounts that I find really great:
https://www.instagram.com/artsytecture/
https://www.instagram.com/architecturedose/
https://www.instagram.com/vogue_architect/
These pages are really comprehensive. They present international trends. It’s nice to open your mind and see what’s happening elsewhere.
How would you describe these trends?
I’m a very visual person. On Instagram, I scroll through the feed, and then something will click. It’s a color or a piece of furniture that catches my eye. From there, I try to understand the composition of the image and look for what might have caught my attention. It’s really my eye wandering and gathering information, no matter the medium.
In everyday life, I walk around residential neighborhoods and look at houses. I discover layouts and get some ideas.
Do you frequent blogs and websites dedicated to design or interior decoration? And if so, which ones?
The magazine Décoration Maison, I was subscribed for quite a while.
Now I’m going to browse art books, also at the library in decoration books.
There are also social networks, which are a real goldmine.
Do you have one or more interior architects, decorators, designers, or creators who inspire you daily?
There is one, because her way of working really resembles the way I aspire to work, it’s Sophie Ferjani. I find she has great ideas, she is in an approach that reallypleases and speaks to me a lot.
By the way, if I could meet her one day, that would be great! Sophie, if you’re passing by ;)
What do you think are the 3 main principles of decoration?
- Visualizing
- Analyzing
- Harmonizing
A simple pleasure?
Sharing a good beer on a terrace with friends. That’s a bit my dolce vita. I think many of us are in the same situation. Simple but incredibly effective!
Your latest favorite music track?
This morning I was listening to Avicii - Feeling Good (the original version is by Nina Simone).
Where can we follow you?
https://www.instagram.com/coleene.deco/
https://www.facebook.com/Coleenedeco
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