Sarah Poniatowski's decorative moodboard

11.13.2022

The most famous Parisian decorator is a must this fall. In addition to a line of jewelry that she signs with her sister Marie ( Stone Paris x Maison Sarah Lavoine ), Sarah Poniatowski continues to enhance exceptional places both in Paris and in the regions with her Maison Sarah Lavoine label , such as a private mansion in Lille renovated by her or the Château Ducru-Beaucaillou which she completely revamped.

Creator of trends, unearth of nuggets, Sarah Poniatowski has no equal when it comes to magnifying interiors; enough to ask him for his best decoration tips.

What is the link between decoration and the creation of jewelry?

With my sister, Marie Poniatowski , we wanted to tell something. Even though we have very different worlds, there was a connection to explore. We started with brass , which is an ideal material both for decoration and for creating jewelry . In the end, imagining accessories to sublimate women is not so far from designing interior spaces. It is said of a good hairdresser that he is a “ hair architect ”. As far as I'm concerned, here, I did “ exterior decoration ”!

© Francois DARMIGNY

Where do you draw your inspirations from?

Pretty much everywhere. I am inspired as much by what other decorators can do as by pop culture . I'm a big consumer of series and I sometimes find a few ideas there that I use later. For example, when I worked on the Roch Hotel & Spa , I was inspired by a paving that I had spotted in Game of Thrones !

What color could dethrone your famous “Sarah Blue”?

This color is so iconic that I can't see myself working with other colors. But let's say that I'm not stuck on this nuance. Like Picasso , I have my periods. I'm a fan of green, although right now I have a soft spot for eggplant .

What would be your tips for making an apartment trendy?

Avoid the total look because it can very quickly make it old-fashioned. To give an obvious charm to your apartment, the best thing is to hunt around. The Puces de Saint-Ouen are a gold mine for that! Otherwise, I would also say focus on lighting . A bright apartment is already a beautiful apartment in itself. If possible, avoid spotlights and opt for indirect lighting with daylight. Finally, do not hesitate to vary the accessories . It costs less and is less tiring than changing furniture .

Other designers, decorators, artisans whose work you appreciate?

There are a number of them, but if I had to choose just a few, I would say the decorator Charles Zana who recently decorated the Hôtel Crillon le Brave in Provence or the architect duo Karl Fournier and Olivier Marty from Studio KO .

Do you have any favorite decoration addresses?

Obviously the Puces de Saint-Ouen and its many flea markets for antiquing. Otherwise, on the left bank side , I am a fan of the many galleries that can be found on rue de Seine such as the Vallois gallery , the Jacques Lacoste gallery …

What do you think is the biggest lack of taste in decoration?

Personally, I hate flashiness , anything too flashy . When it shines too much, it is absolutely not elegant. In interior decoration, it is better to be warm and therefore avoid falling into something that would be too modern , designer .

What is the ideal gift that can be made on a small budget?

Candlesticks are a very good idea and have that little extra touch that gives charm to an interior. In another genre, I find that table mats , deliciously old-fashioned, can be a good surprise to offer.

What is the accessory / piece of furniture that justifies breaking the bank?

Of course, the bed ! Having good bedding is essential and it is priceless. If there should be only one quality piece of furniture in an interior, it is the bed.

How to optimize a small space?

The best is to play with mirrors. From the point of view of perspectives, it is unstoppable! Otherwise, decompartmentalize rooms. This can give a loft effect which is quite nice.