François Frossard (Megeve, France, 1964) easily transitioned as an Industrial Designer for the acclaimed Lee Weitzman into one of the most cutting edge interior designers in the country. François’ signature “grand style” infused with “high bold drama” can be found in celebrated venues around the world. He leads the current new romantic design movement, infusing decadent glamour with whimsy and mystique, pairing contradiction with tradition.

Talking with Dida Sousa, François reveals a little bit about his philosophy, inspiration and favourite elements in design.

How and why did you get into the design Industry? Where did you study?

Got started as a cabinet maker and went to professional school for that where got degrees in the field of “Cabinet maker “, “Kitchen cabinet maker” and “Carpenter”. Then I went to study architecture in Geneva for 3 years and then Ecole Boulle Paris.

Ecole Boulle Paris is famous in Europe for design and arts.

How would you describe your design style? How varied are your designs?
Do you have a signature touch in your designs?

Bold and dramatic, but can also tone it down to adapt really to my clientele. That does vary from project to project.

What is it that you love most about being a designer?

The ability to see people’s expressions when the place opens, this is a really amazing part of the design!

Where does your inspiration come from?

From the day to day of living my life, my travels and the places that I visited as well as visit. Inspiration is something that really comes and goes, it is not where you can just push a button and turn it on or off.

Is there anything exciting that you are working on at the moment that you can tell us about?

Every project that we are working on is amazing. I was able to diversify myself, so now from hotels resorts that we are doing in Jamaica, Cabos San Lucas and Cancun to Nightclub in Texas, Chicago or Dubai, or restaurants in the Bahamas.

I think that we are working on so many projects that really, they are all bringing us some excitements in a certain way. The list right now is too long to really mention every projects.

What colours, textures and furniture pieces do you love the most to work with ?

I tend to adapt based on the project that we are doing and where the project is.

For Jamaica, we research really the history and style of Jamaica and gave our client a twist on the design for the resort that we are doing there. Some of my clients really don’t tell us or give me a direction, we have kind of Carte Blanche

Gibran Chapur that hired me and my team as the exclusive designer for his hotel brands, does not tell me or give me a style or a direction, I define a certain approach to the project that I also do discuss with him and we GO!!!!!

What is your philosophy on design and life?

It’s one with out the other!

Why did you choose to represent  Boca do Lobo in Florida Market ?

I think that the brand is amazing to start with.

Myself as a previous cabinet maker and been in the past creating and fabricating furniture prior of getting involved into design, always had a certain love for amazing furniture pieces and craftsmanship.

I also think that Miami is the perfect market for that brand, Miami is pulsating city that is 24/7 Non Stop

Also being so close to South America, we have a tremendous market from there being here in Miami as well as European now moving to Miami.

Which Boca do Lobo piece reflects your personality..?

Really don’t have one in particular, I simply think that each piece has something special, a story behind that can be told as you look at them.

Describe yourself in three words

Workaholic person that think 24/7, sketch on napkin for new ideas all the time.

Passionate

And the third one: I don’t know, maybe a Little Crazy

But again  who is NOT…..

Talking with François Frossard: Dida Sousa