Your home is more than just a place to live. It’s a reflection of your history, your dreams, your culture, and the experiences that have shaped you.
As a French interior designer based in London, I often find that the most successful interiors are those that feel deeply personal, where every object and colour choice has meaning.
1. Start with what moves you
Think about the items you’ve carried from place to place: a ceramic bowl from Marrakech, your grandmother’s mirror, a stack of dog-eared books. These are more than things—they’re chapters of your story. Use them as anchors.
2. Build around a narrative
Instead of designing a space around a style ("mid-century modern," "minimalist"), design it around a memory or a feeling. Did your honeymoon in Portugal inspire a love of tiles? Does the scent of lavender transport you to Provence? Let that guide your palette and materials.
3. Mix influences authentically
You don’t need to choose between Parisian elegance or African boldness. Blend them. A vintage French bergère armchair next to a woven Ghanaian basket tells a richer story than any showroom ever could. Interiors should be like passports—well-travelled and full of stamps.
4. Make space for the present
Your story doesn’t stop with the past. Add new layers with artwork from local makers, photos of recent adventures, or a shelf dedicated to your current passions. Your home should evolve as you do.
5. Trust your instincts
If it feels right, it usually is. There is no formula for a home that speaks your language. It’s about resonance, not rules.
Belle & Cosy Interior Design: Bringing bringing heritage to life
At Belle & Cosy, I’ve worked with clients who wanted to bring their heritage to life in their interiors: from a Parisian flat blending Brazilian and African influences, to a London family home where vintage French posters share walls with contemporary African art. These projects weren’t just about making things look good—they were about creating spaces that feel like home.
If you’re ready to start designing a space that tells your story, I’d love to help..
