Alexandra de Garidel - about her home near Geneva, art, design and modern luxury. Especially for INTERIOR + DESIGN.
By topic: From Africa: a colonial mansion designed by Alexandra de Garidel
“My home is located ten kilometers from Geneva. Not far from the city, but this is a completely different Switzerland: peaceful, quiet, rural. There are few people and many ancient trees. When I bought this apartment, there were already white walls and wooden floors. Honestly, they are not of the best quality and absolutely not to my taste. Nevertheless, I decided to leave them.
The “golden” coffee table by Yves Klein forms an impressive composition with a large work by A. Mastrovito. At the sofa table Bell, ClassiCon. Blue vase Moustache. Bronze candlestick Bronze Arman. Next to the sofa is a floor lamp designed by A. Levy. Velvet curtains Maison de Vacances. I was fascinated by the task of creating a large-scale installation - such that the walls and the floor somehow miraculously disappeared from view. This was possible thanks to works of art: the project unfolds around art. But it also considers the purpose of space as a place for family life and a channel for positive energy. My philosophy is this: any visible object should be useful, but never - only useful and nothing more. It should be an object that you find beautiful or meaningful, which adds practical and aesthetic value to your life. Being a creative person, I really respect other artists and designers.
Alexandra de Garidel. On the wall are “mushrooms” A. Gabutti, “M. Abramovich's waterfall,“ calligraphy ”B. Vautier, Coco Chanel gave a magnificent definition of luxury: “This is a necessity that starts where the necessary ends”.
My tastes, as a rule, bypass the products of industrial production - I prefer the work of artisans. I tried to choose items that I care about. I thought not so much about how to improve the house, but about how to use it to demonstrate the beautiful art and design objects. The most interesting work I find is white and gold work by Andrea Mastrovito, as well as the tables of Yves Klein - functional things created by the artist ... In my opinion, a house is a success if it is pleasant to live in it. That is, if you feel at ease, you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere, even without knowing what kind of things surround you. The key to such an atmosphere is harmony. To create it, do not do without magic.
Blue coffee table I. Klein, near vintage chair P. Polen, Artifort. A sculpture of Arman stands out against the background of a white wall, his bronze candlestick is on the table. The authors of the works on the wall: B. Togo, G. Amer. Vases of Geneva designer F. Kramer. In the frame of the fireplace used an unexpected material - a polymer with an invoice for concrete. “Modern luxury” is a curious expression. Luxury is a timeless word, and modernity is something that is constantly being updated. Modern interior - one that meets our standards and expectations. At the moment, "standards" include:
1. Minimalism (which is not equivalent to emptiness).
2. Fashionable mix, or eclecticism.
3. Refinement (implies the presence of recognizable design icons).
4. Recently - graphic ornaments, reinterpreting the patterns of the 1950s – 70s.
Jam Jar Shelf console, diz. P. Marigold. On the wall is the work of F. Favier Vous n’êtes pas d’ici. The yellow barometer Hermès acts as a decor. Carpet Grappe, diz. R. and E. Burullek (Galerie Kreo). Мой личный рецепт современной роскоши — быть на шаг впереди моды и не пренебрегать ни единой деталью, которая могла бы сделать жизнь клиента более комфортной или счастливой. Coco Chanel gave a magnificent definition of luxury: “This is a necessity that starts where the necessary ends”.
Study. In the center is a table from the time of Napoleon III, the workshop of Boule, and a three-legged chair of the era of Louis XVI. Black and white work on the left: B. Votje. Three violins: Armand. On the floor is a cow skin with a Tergus zebra print. Installation of feathers: I. Barbier. Art for me is food for the mind and a source of inspiration in work. In the interior, in my opinion, it still has to fulfill its main goal: to be an ornament and to improve the overall atmosphere of the house. However, art is never simply decorative, because it carries too many values and values. I would say: art in the house is like the shoes of a man: he will tell a lot about his master!
Headboard bed in textile Hermès. Above him photo N. Goldin. Ceiling lamp A331, diz. A. Aalto, Artek. Maison de Vacances pillows and bedspread. Bed linen Slabbinck. 
Bedroom. 
Daughter's room. There is a house for Barbie and a canopy bed, but also a Pink Bell lamp, diz. N. Zupants for Moooi. 
Kitchen-dining room consistently decorated in black and white - from curtains to art. Chandelier and table Dimorestudio. Levaggi chairs. On the wall is a major work of T. Uyu. Curtains on the windows of Arpin. 
When I was younger, my favorite museums were the Orsay Museum in Paris and the Metropolitan in New York. Later, I discovered MoMA. Today I visit private foundations more: Fondation Beyeler in Basel, Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Fondation Mitterrand near Saint-Tropez - my must see. Favorite artist - Marina Abramovich. The modern poetry of her attitude fascinates me. ”
The owner of the house and the author of the project Alexandra de Garidel. At first, nothing foretold that Alexandra de Garidel would become a designer. The son of an aristocratic family that owns family locks (hence the prefix "de" in front of the name), Alexandra graduated from the Institute of Political Studies in Aix-en-Provence, and then the London School of Economics. After that, she confidently began her career as a financier. She worked at Deutsche Bank and on Wall Street, but then changed her profession. In 2001 she moved to Geneva, where four years later she opened her own studio, Thébaïde. Today, de Garidel is known as an artist, designer and set designer. Alexandra can freely and artistically combine styles and eras, and most importantly, she knows how to make a luxury house with a relaxing atmosphere and a sense of security. Her clients appreciate this gift.
