Jean-Louis Deniot--I love this guy! His style has been described as "Cool Classicism," and indeed, his education in classic design (some formal, some self-taught) is evident in everything he does. The 43 year old designer established his own design firm in 2000, his staff has now grown to 24, including his sister Virginie Deniot, who serves as his business partner and company manager.
Jean-Louis reinterprets the styles of the Directoire (post French revolution and just before Empire), and the classic modernism of the 1930's, 1940's and even the 1950's. The results are a paired-down contemporary elegance. When I see Jean-Louis' work I often think of the fabulous Hollywood sets during the Golden Age, though Jean-Louis creates the real thing, and better. His execution is impeccable, and of course, rather expensive. His clients, who now span the globe, are the super-rich.
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| Jean-Louis Deniot |
Jean-Louis' palette is subdued, often using whites, creams, grays and pale icy blues. In an interview with Diane Dorrans Saeks, back in 2009, he said, "I was told many years ago to create a very subtle and elegant background." This is a clever theatrical device in that a muted background allows certain objects and actors (people) to stand out. In a Deniot room, the art often stands out and the people look more interesting. Here, in an early room, his color is a bit less muted and the contents less perfect:
As Jean-Louis came into his own, his colors have become a bit more restricted and his furniture (much of it his own design), a bit more sleek. If I were to offer one suggestion (the French are rolling their eyes) I would offer the idea of a little less rigid perfection and the allowance of just a tad more color. My suggestions aside, his rooms and his furniture designs (some of which I have included) are elegant and stunning.
A Chicago apartment:
A Paris apartment:
Jean-Louis Deniot furniture and lighting is produced by Baker (76 pieces!), Collection Pierre, Jean de Merry, and Marc de Berny.
A few more examples:
And finally, in 2014 Diane Dorrans Saeks, wrote this wonderful book, published by Rizzoli, on her amazing friend Jean-Louis Deniot:
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