INSPIRATIONAL ICON: JACQUES GRANGE

Oct 28 2013

by Catherine M. Austin

Jacques Grange in front of Damien Hirst

via The Selby

It is rare and glorious event to come face to face with an icon one has admired, studied, and been inspired by for years. My recent trip to Paris was truly the trip of a lifetime….and I actually experienced a few of these “pinch me” moments.

We visited the atelier of Jacques Grange and the legendary designer gave us a personal tour of where he creates his design magic. His client list includes some of the world’s most sophisticated tastemakers: Yves St. Laurent, Pierre Berge, Princess Caroline of Monaco, Valentino, Alain Ducasse, Karl Lagerfeld, Jacques Chirac, Francois Pinault, Ronald Lauder, Aerin Lauder, and Mathilde Agostinelli.

via The Selby

In contrast to many of today’s designers, Grange received a strict, classical education. After studying at the Lycee Janson de Sully and L’Ecole Gerson, he went on to L’Ecole Boulle, where he learned the crafts of cabinetmaking, plasterwork, and weaving. At L’Ecole Camondo, he studied the history of architecture, design, and decorative arts. Upon graduation, he worked for the renowned designer Henri Samuel and antiques dealer Didier Aaron. He was greatly influenced by Madeline Castaing from whom he says he learned the “poetry of decorating.” He opened his own design firm in 1970.

Master of the Mix

“Combining good taste and audacity is a subtle art that interior designer Jacques Grange has perfected for over four decades…From rococo elegance to modern chic, and with Oriental and North African influences blending with Western styles, Grange’s touch is unique.”- excerpt from Jacques Grange Interiors

Living Room of Jacques Grange

Art plays a major role in his interiors which is why he designs for some of the world’s most serious art collectors. He effortlessly combines antiques from various periods with modern and contemporary art. His living room shown in the 2 images above is a perfect example of his mastery. He combines a contemporary carpet from Iran with a 19th century chaise longue, a 1950s Jean Royere low table, boxy 1925 club chairs, an 18th century desk, and art by Damian Hirst. According to Grange, this work by Hirst “has the quality of all great art: First it shocks you, then you realize it’s great.”

It is no wonder that Grange received the designation of Chevalier of Arts and Letters from the Minister of French Culture. His passion and charm are contagious. In a recent interview with Architectural Digest, Grange is described as “a whirlwind of energy, hopping between continents and clients. ‘I’m lucky I’m not a dancer,’ he says with an engaging laugh, ‘I can work until the day I die.”

Images of his work and from our visit are below…