A dialogue between form, function and feeling

When we first looked at our outdoor space, it felt like a place we passed by, not a place we lived in. Beautiful, yes, but not yet part of our everyday rhythm. We wanted to change that. We wanted it to come alive — to become a true extension of our lifestyle and family moments.

 

The vision was simple yet deeply personal: to transform the outdoors into a setting where life unfolds naturally. A corner where mornings start with the boys’ laughter over breakfast outside. A shaded spot to open a book and steal a quiet moment. A generous table for dinners that last long into the evening, where stories and conversations take their time. And most importantly, a canvas for endless playdates, games, and memories with our cocos — a space where they grow, explore, and live freely.
 

From the very beginning, our design intent was rooted in elevating our own family experience. It wasn’t just about style; it was about designing for comfort, ease, and togetherness. That is why we chose Kettal by Vivium — a brand that represents timeless design, crafted with care and intent. Their pieces offered us exactly what we were looking for: elegant forms, unparalleled comfort, and the ability to flow effortlessly with the architecture around them.

 

To layer this vision further, I drew from my own South American background. Tropical accents brought a sense of jungle vibrancy into our lounges — textures, tones, and energy that remind me of home. The result is a space that feels both elevated and deeply personal, where modern design meets soulful warmth.

 

And today, I can say with certainty: it worked. Since the outdoor space was completed, it has been in constant use. The boys rush outside for breakfast, afternoons spill into long conversations on the lounges, and evenings often end under the stars. What was once an overlooked space has now become the heart of our family life — a living, breathing extension of who we are.

 

 

Every choice was made with balance in mind. The calm palette is elevated by bespoke lounge chairs in vibrant tones—a nod to my South American influences that bring personality and playfulness to the setting. The interplay of textures, the layering of upholstery, and the subtle infusion of color reflect our philosophy at C’est ici: restraint in harmony with boldness, timelessness imbued with storytelling.

 

 

 

This collaboration with Kettal by Vivium has shown us that design has the power to transform not just spaces, but the way we live. It is more than furniture — it’s the framework for memories, connection, and the quiet magic of everyday living. within the lush surrounds of Jumeirah Golf Estates lies a hidden haven—an outdoor sanctuary that quietly reveals itself the moment you step inside. When I envisioned this space, I wanted it to be more than a garden or patio; I wanted it to feel like an extension of the self, a place where beauty and presence intertwine to create a true retreat from daily life.

ARCHITECTURAL WONDER OF THE MONTH

Building on the momentum of our Capsule Collection, this month we want to spotlight the evolving relationship between fashion and interior design — two worlds that, over the years, have grown ever closer to create a seamless synergy when united in a project. 

 

Our Architectural Wonder of the Month takes us to Hangzhou, China, where this dialogue finds expression in the newly inaugurated first Aesop store.

This new opening highlights the steadily intensifying conversation between interior design and fashion, where the boundaries between the two worlds continue to dissolve. 

 

More and more, global brands are beginning to understand that their identity cannot be conveyed by products alone. Instead, it is also articulated through the environments they create—spaces that embody their values, aesthetics, and vision, offering customers a multi-sensory experience that goes far beyond the act of purchase.

Aesop has long been celebrated for weaving architectural sensibility into each of its locations, tailoring the design to reflect both brand ethos and local context. 

In Hangzhou, this philosophy continues, reinforcing how fashion and interiors now move hand in hand, shaping spaces that embody lifestyle as much as style.

This moment aligns with China’s wider push to elevate its position as an international retail and consumer hub. Just days after Aesop’s unveiling, Guangzhou opened its first downtown duty-free store on August 26 at the Friendship Mall International Finance Center in Tianhe District. 

 

The project — backed by China Duty Free Group, Guangzhou Grandbuy, Lingnan Holdings, and Baiyun Airport — is among the first eight downtown duty-free stores approved nationwide under a new policy launched in August 2024.

The emphasis on cosmetics and jewelry highlights a consumer shift toward curated, design-conscious environments where retail is not just about purchasing but about inhabiting a world of taste and aspiration.

 

Taken together, these openings show how the line between fashion and interiors continues to blur. Spaces once designed solely for shopping are becoming immersive, sensorial narratives that reflect a brand’s identity as strongly as its collections. 

 

The growth of lifestyle-driven retail in China signals a global trend: design is no longer a backdrop but a protagonist, shaping the way we connect with brands and, ultimately, with each other.

In interior architecture, some of the most captivating spaces are those that weave together memory and modernity.

Victorian-inspired design carries a nostalgic charm, ornate details, rich textures, and subtle drama that echo stories of the past. Yet when paired with softer palettes and layered comfort, it becomes unexpectedly cozy and intimate.

At C’est ici, we’ve always had a soft spot for Victorian details, often finding ways to reinterpret them across our projects. 

Sometimes it’s a subtle infusion, other times a bold expression but always through our own lens, creating fresh, distinctive interiors tailored to each client’s identity. 

 

Project RIO exemplifies this philosophy with its own distinctive narrative. Here, the Victorian influence was not simply decorative, but foundational. Wall moldings and monochrome patterned floors established a historical rhythm, while the warmth of wood and richly toned finishes introduced comfort and intimacy. 

This sense of nostalgia was intentionally layered with a counterpoint: strikingly modern insertions such as Vibia’s Array lighting installation suspended in the entrance, almost ethereal in its presence, and the bold colors expressed through custom fit-outs and furniture. 

 

The result is a design of contrasts—a refined interplay between the weight of history and the sharpness of innovation—crafted to feel timeless rather than tethered to any single era.

In contrast, Project Provence embraced a more subdued and refined sense of elegance, one that favored quiet sophistication over bold statements. The design exuded a calm, tranquil atmosphere, defined by a delicate interplay of soft, neutral tones that formed the core of the space. The palette, composed of light, classical shades—creamy whites, soft beiges, and warm grays—created a serene backdrop, inviting a sense of calm that permeated every corner of the room.

 

To add depth and subtle contrast, carefully chosen accents of black were woven throughout the design, grounding the overall aesthetic and providing a quiet sophistication without overpowering the space. These thoughtful touches were not just decorative; they played a key role in bringing balance and an understated modernity to the overall composition.

 

The design was further enriched by earthy textures, which added both visual and tactile warmth. Materials such as natural wood, stone, and linen were used throughout, not only to create a sense of harmony with the surrounding environment but to reinforce the space's grounding in nature. Subtle details, like carefully placed patterns or understated finishes, added layers of interest without disrupting the space’s calm flow.

 

The result is a design that feels timeless, evoking a sense of serene comfort that seemed to effortlessly transcend trends. The gentle, thoughtful interplay of materials and colors anchored the entire space in an enduring elegance, offering a peaceful refuge that felt as though it had always belonged. It was a design where less truly became more, and where every detail, no matter how small, contributed to a sense of enduring beauty and tranquility.

At C’est ici, wood has grown beyond its role as a mere material—it has evolved into one of our most distinctive design signatures. Over the years, it has become a detail we continuously return to, not only for its inherent warmth and timeless beauty, but also for its endless capacity to be reimagined. 

 

We explore wood as a language in itself: through intricate patterns, delicate textures, and a spectrum of tones, it allows us to transform the feel of a space. With each project, wood softens atmospheres that may otherwise feel too stark, introduces depth where simplicity calls for nuance, and infuses character that embodies our ethos of bold refinement, attentive craftsmanship, and thoughtful detailing.

Our approach is rooted in the belief that wood should never be relegated to the background. It is not merely a surface treatment or a supporting element, but a defining feature that brings both structure and emotion to the spaces we create. Whether used in the form of fit-out units, statement ceilings, or bespoke partitions, wood in its patterned expressions becomes the perfect mediator between warmth and modernity, between functionality and artistry.

 

This philosophy is evident within our own studio space, where we tested its versatility firsthand. Painted wooden partitions carve out subtle separations while still allowing light and transparency to flow freely, striking a delicate balance between openness and intimacy. On the ceilings, patterned wood introduces rhythm and tactility, creating layers that enrich the experience of moving through the space, while reinforcing the architectural language we believe in.

 

Our projects further exemplify this commitment. 

 

In Project Tivoli, wood was incorporated into the fit-out and cladding, with bespoke partitions that define space gracefully while maintaining a sense of openness. 

In Project Vicarello, a carefully designed patterned wooden ceiling added dimension and tactility, enveloping the interior with a sense of warmth while harmonizing seamlessly with natural finishes. 

And in Project Palm Desert, wood appeared as a striking detail within loose furniture and bespoke bar shutters, serving as both a grounding element and a celebration of craftsmanship.