Olivier Francheteau: Exclusive Interview

Olivier Francheteau

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Olivier Francheteau has been a decorator for 40 years. From childhood, his room was always a site for experimentation or even an exhibition gallery, as he was constantly rearranging the decoration. Olivier Francheteau signs his difference by important work on associations and chromatic contrasts. Today, Best Interior Designers had the chance to exclusively interview Olivier Francheteau. Enjoy!

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CAREER

How did you get involved in the interior design Industry?

I guess I started when I was around 9 years old. I was obsessed with the decoration of my bedroom and I needed to change it every month. It could be like changing the posters thanks to a new theme or changing the way they appeared on the walls. My mother was horrified to notice how bad the walls looked after so many changes! I was already aware of the importance of decoration to feel good.

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How would you describe your work style? Do you have any kind of signatures that help to identify your projects?

Colors, for me, are everything! I have learned a lot watching them, playing with them, and thinking of their power and influence. I have read many books and studies on this subject (chromotherapy, Feng shui, etc) to become an expert, it is a real plus now on my projects. My clients choose me for that reason.

Being in love with our work is always the key to achieving better results. Are you in love with this job? What do you love most about being an interior designer?

I know that I am lucky and blessed for doing this job, but honestly, I can’t do any other job! Decoration is so deeply in my DNA. In a modest way, my work tries to make the world more beautiful, I am so happy to see the photos before and after the renovation and to hear my clients say that they feel very good in their new home.

What is your philosophy on design and life?

To look for beauty to forget this crazy world.

INSPIRATION

Keeping up to date on all the trends is essential for anyone who wants to conquer this market. In what ways do you keep current with new trends?

I don’t follow trends so much because I don’t want to copy everyone. I just have a distant look at the trends on Instagram and a few interior design magazines like yours.

Which major international events do you attend/follow to get the latest novelties?

Milan and Paris are important to follow but I don’t feel comfortable when it is crowded around me and since the covid19 it has been worst!

How would you describe your personal decorating style?

I would say elegant and colorful but I guess I am not the best person to describe my style.

All artists need some inspiration to work, and interior designers are artists too. So, what or who really inspires you?

Music inspires me, I always work listening to music, I am a big fan of Björk who is so creative in her music and videos. Otherwise, nature is very inspiring, when i walk alone and far away from the noise of the city, it is a good way to have interesting ideas. At last, to sleep is a good way to have good ideas. I am used to waking up in the middle of the night with a brand new idea to decorate.

PROJECTS

How important is a perfect chemistry between you and your clients to achieve the best results?

It is the key to success to know the clients well. That’s why I ask more or less 40 questions in the first meeting to discover my clients. I even ask questions like what is your favorite book and why. At the end of the process, I know them better and my goal is to express all their answers in the project to tell truly their life story.

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Choosing the best pieces to compose a project can be the secret to getting the best overall result. Although it seems easy, this is a delicate task and needs full attention on time to execute. Do you have some tips for those who do not know well how to start a challenge like this?

The best piece is the one that is the perfect answer to the project, to the concept. Never choose a piece because it is simply beautiful, never! Every choice must tell something, must have a meaning.

Do you think working with teams in interior design is better or worse than working alone? Why?

To work alone makes the process of the project longer so it is good to collaborate with others but only when you find the people who understand and respect you.

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FUTURE

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

The more I work, the more I try to escape from reality with my projects in a way to surprise my clients.

What has been your greatest accomplishment as a designer? What goals do you have for the future?

My greatest accomplishment is to be still in love with my husband since 2005! He is a big support in my life!

Do you have a favorite project or a favorite story about one of your projects?

I remember a project with some clients from Paris who bought a villa in Nice and since that they became friends and I have a dinner with them every month. When I asked them how they wanted the villa to look like, their answer was white walls, which is the most horrible answer you can give to me because white does not give any energy and even de not calm you down. so it is really a useless color for walls! I told them that it could not be possible with me so we talked a lot about the power and effects of colors and they finally gave me the opportunity to do what I wanted. In the end, the project was very… colorful and they are used to telling me how their interior is beautiful and how they feel good in their villa thanks to the beautiful colors!