Three design lessons we’ve learned from Ajiri Aki, the woman behind Paris-based tableware co. Madame de la Maison:
The Nigerian-born, Texas-raised, Paris-based style setter has a Masters in decorative arts and worked as a stylist in the fashion industry in NYC before settling in the City of Light, where she now lives with her Swiss-German husband and two kids and scours French flea markets for treasures. Ajiri is also the author of Joie: A Parisian’s Guide to Celebrating the Good Life (and, we’re thrilled to report, she’s working on a follow-up).
Ajiri’s shared insight of all kinds with us over the past several years, from her own design point of view to savoring life the French way. Today she’s writing in with her tiny (but effective) house upgrade, ideal sheets, and the Paris museum where she gets inspiration. Read on…
A fancy bottle of olive oil.
A stack of books I need to read—and on the top, The Creative Act by Rick Rubin.
The Beauty of Time Travel, on the work of Ramdane Touhami.
Alexis Ffrench if I am writing and Aya Nakamura if I am styling or doing a photoshoot.
The sets on Nurse Ratched were insane!
Putting bookshelves up in the salon on both sides of the fireplace.
That I can make little upgrades to a room by just changing the light switches and electric plugs.
Solid linen sheets from Merci in Paris.
One wall in mine is currently Farrow & Ball Pitch Black, but I’m considering a refresh to Dead Salmon or Templeton Pink.
Beige everything.
Tongs!
Past/present juxtaposed.
The period rooms at the Musée des Arts et Décoratifs.
I love strolling Marche Vernaison and Paul Bert Serpette at the Puces de Saint Ouen in Paris. Endless inspiration.
I’m currently in the process of buying a new sofa…
You don’t need to follow design trends, ever.
A villa in Provence.
Thanks so much, Ajiri! Follow her work @madamedelamaison and madamedelamaison.com.
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