Visit: Ground to Grow Café Project

Today I am taking you on a tour of the café I had the pleasure to design in the heart of Le Marais, my favourite district in Paris!

This space used to be a run down, uninviting luggage store that we transformed into a bright and homey café in just a few months (don't miss the before photos at the end of this blog post!).

I wanted this space to feel warm and relaxing so it is in harmony with the delicious healthy food that is served in this vegan café. In the same spirit as when I design homes, I've been working on creating that hug feeling I love in interiors. We used a warm and muted colour palette, natural materials and introduced lots of curves!

I'm pretty sure the builder still hates me for insisting on making the counter curved and for asking for half of the Zellige tiles to be cut into triangle shapes... But I'm really happy I didn't give up as it makes all the difference! When renovating, if you really think something is worth the extra effort, stick to your vision, no matter how many people tell you differently!

We used this beautiful wallpaper from Seasons Paper in the sitting area to add a touch of colour to the space. It really ties the space together as it complements the colour of the Zellige tiles on the counter and connects with all the curves and arches we introduced in the design.

All the tables, chairs, stools and most of the vases are vintage finds I sourced on Facebook Market Place. Vintages pieces add character to the space and allowed us to keep some budget to spend on beautiful lights, millwork and handmade tiles.

The team that made this project possible! From left to right: Johnny the builder, Hélène the owner of the café and myself.

Before Photos

I promised you some before photos so here they are and they look nothing like the warm and cozy café it is today! I love working on this type of run down spaces as it really allows me to be creative and the before / after shots are extremely rewarding!

This has been one of my favourite projects to work on and I was thrilled to see it featured in several magazines including Elle Décoration and The Simple Things. Next time you are in Paris, I strongly recommend putting Ground to Grow on your list, they serve the best toasts and pancakes I have ever tasted!

PS: Don't forget to download my free guide below where I'm sharing my top tips to add warmth to your home!

Design Destination: Morocco

I am a huge travel addict and take a lot of inspiration from my travels around the world. Today I’m taking you to one of my favourite design destinations: Morocco!

Photography: Shutter Stock

My designs are highly inspired by the Moroccan vibe. Here are the things that inspire me the most, from Marrakech souks to the Atlas Mountains.

1. Stunning riads in Marrakech

Marrakech is home to the most beautiful boutique hotels I have ever seen. With their lush patios, rooftop terraces and stunning decoration, riads are real oasis in the middle of this busy city.

Photography: Yasmine Riad

2. Handwoven wool rugs from the Atlas Mountains

I definitely have a thing for Moroccan rugs. I love the comfiness of the thick wool, the warmth of the colours and the imperfections in the patterns. They instantly bring texture and coziness to a space.

There are many stores where you can buy beautiful Moroccan rugs across Canada but you can also purchase them directly from Moroccan suppliers on Etsy.

Here are a few projects where I used traditional Moroccan rugs:

Photography: Ama Studio

3. Handmade ceramics and Zellige tiles

Pottery is a tradition that has been passed from generation to generation in Morocco and it is present everywhere.

In interior design, I am a huge fan of Zellige tiles. The fact that they are handmade gives them a beautiful texture that I absolutely love. Their imperfections add a lot of warmth to a kitchen or bathroom, which can otherwise feel quite sterile.

Photography: Ama Studio

For tableware, LRNCE is an amazing brand based in Morocco. They produce beautiful vases, jugs and plates that add a nice touch of colour to your dinner table. They also have beautiful and unique artworks.

Photography: LRNCE

4. Raffia lampshades

Lots of products made from raffia come from Morocco. They do beautiful baskets and lampshades that add a natural touch to an interior.

Honoré Décoration is one of my favourite brands and all their products are made in Morocco, including these stunning pendants and wall lights.

Photography: Honoré Décoration

I hope you've enjoyed this brief overview of what Morocco has to offer for design lovers!

PS: Don't forget to download my free guide below where I'm sharing my top tips to add warmth to your home!