Decus Abroad – Profusely Paris

Earlier this year we found ourselves in Paris on a sourcing trip.

The City of Light beckoned, so we did what any self-respecting visitor would do: set up approximately 2,417 appointments at showrooms, galleries, and restaurants and got to work.

Indulging in the culinary delights of Paris always exceeds even our wildest expectations, and after the carb-induced coma of Italy (where we had just been for Milan Design Week) all we craved were vegetables. From the artichokes of our dreams at L’Emil, to the exceptional dining rooms of Semilla and Shabour – Paris revealed herself with a myriad of remarkable gastronomic moments.

Sufficiently satiated, we made a beeline for Warhol x Basquiat at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, and then onto the quite literally transformative Bourse de Commerce. Completed since my last visit to the city, Tadao Ando’s intervention was not only a showcase of the Pinault Collection, but of the city’s historic grandeur. A trip to Paris isn’t complete without a stop at Serie Rare, a humble hardware store that meticulously crafts everything by hand. Meanwhile, the flea markets of Paul Bert Serpette put the city’s very particular charm on full display.

The enchantment continued as we stepped into Pierre Yovanovitch’s showroom, an astounding space crafted in collaboration with Atelier Mériguet-Carrère, seamlessly blending architectural pieces from the vanguard designer’s own collection with contemporary artworks and audacious commissions.

At Decus, our pursuit of inspiration extends beyond furniture showrooms, design media, and let’s face it, Instagram. We are driven to uncover the extraordinary, seeking out lesser-known artisans on an international scale. Nothing brings us more joy than collaborating with makers whose talents are just waiting to be discovered, and the French capital delivered in spades. Paris, a city of surprises, revealed to us hidden ecosystems within its quintessential Haussmann architecture. Each building conceals a whole world, not evident from the front, requiring entry through courtyards and ascending stairs to discover these little worlds within.

Immersed in a captivating ambiance from one space to another, inspiration for future projects flowed. From Kolkhoze, which champions an incredible stable of designers, to Florence Bamberger‘s large-scale joinery and ceramic wall art – seemingly every doorway led to a wonderland.

xx ADC

1
Bourse de Commerce 
6 Rue de Viarmes, Paris Ile-de-France 75001
Pictured: Bourse de Commerce, since 2021, the building has been the exhibition site of the Pinault Collection.

2
Pinault Collection
6 Rue de Viarmes, Paris Ile-de-France 75001
Pictured: A 30-foot-high concrete cylinder was designed by architect Tadao Ando inside the Bourse de Commerce building to be the Bourse’s main exhibition gallery.

3
Pierre Yovanovitch
6 r Beauregard, 75002 Paris
Pictured: Pierre Yovanovitch studio

4
Shabour
19, rue Saint-Sauveur 75002 Paris
Pictured: A delish dish we had at Shabour

5
Shabour
19, rue Saint-Sauveur 75002 Paris
Pictured: The interior of Shabour, rough and ready decoration with metal technical ducts visible on the ceiling, and subdued lighting.

6
Warhol x Basquiat at the Fondation Louis Vuitton
8 avenue du Mahatma Gandhi Bois de Boulogne, Paris
Pictured: Ten Punching Bags, Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat 1985

7
Paul Bert Serpette
110 Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, France
Pictured: Some treasured finds from the flea markets of Paul Bert Serpette

8
Kolkhoze
72 rue des Archives 75003 Paris
Pictured: Kolkhoze’s Paris-based gallery, devoted to the twenty-first-century collectible design. From conceptual design to haute-facture furniture, the gallery produces in France and showcases limited-edition works by emerging and established designers.

9
Chateau Voltaire
55 Rue Saint-Roch, 75001 Paris, France
Pictured: Restaurant L’Emil

10
L’Emil
55 Rue Saint-Roch, 75001 Paris, France
Pictured: The artichoke of our dreams

11
Serie Rare
6 Rue de l’Odéon, 75006 Paris, France
Pictured: A collection of bronze hardware

12
Stéphane Parmentier 
16 Rue de Lille, 75007 Paris
Pictured: Orphée Mirror

13
Eric Schmitt
24 Rue de la Cerisaie, 75004 Paris, France
Pictured: Console Sixtine, Studio Eric Schmitt 2015

14
Galerie MAY
23 et 34 rue de Lille, 75007 Paris
Pictured: 1950’s console