French Houzz: Retro Scandi Style Inspires Bordeaux Makeover
An old inner-city house that hadn't been lived in for 10 years gets the TLC it deserves and more than a dash of quirkiness
After her fair share of travelling, interior designer and decorator Ninou Étienne finally settled in Bordeaux, where she has now been living for 10 years. Nestled in the heart of the city and vacant for the previous decade, the typical old Bordeaux house she purchased two years ago was in need of a full makeover. “It was a very dark house, entirely carpeted. We needed to open up the place to let a maximum of light pour right in, while allowing for easy circulation,” Étienne says. “I had no other option than to restructure the full space in order to recreate a pleasant aesthetic and functional living space.” As for the look of the place, Étienne explains that she got her inspiration from 1950s Scandinavian design. This interior look is actually the result of an irresistible blend of influences, taking us to Scandinavia but also around the world, and from the ’50s to the present.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Interior designer Ninou Étienne and her family
Location: In the city centre of Bordeaux, on the right bank of the river Garonne, France
Size: 250 square metres, with 15 rooms spread over three floors
That’s interesting: Vacant for 10 years, this house was home to an architect who passed away 15 years ago
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Interior designer Ninou Étienne and her family
Location: In the city centre of Bordeaux, on the right bank of the river Garonne, France
Size: 250 square metres, with 15 rooms spread over three floors
That’s interesting: Vacant for 10 years, this house was home to an architect who passed away 15 years ago
This pretty corridor, boasting a grey, white and black floor, has set the tone for the remainder of the house. “This floor is made of cement tiles dressed with a ’50s cubic pattern,” says the designer. “I also used these three colours throughout the house, depending on the rooms and the atmosphere.” To ease the entry into the kitchen, two fun posters of the Scandinavian decoration brand House Doctor grace the walls on both sides of the door.
“When we bought the house, the kitchen was yellow. I found it particularly sunny and I searched sample cards to find the same tone.” To make it stand out even more, Étienne decided to go with black tiles. “As for the large rangehood, it is one of the rare elements I kept in place.”
In the kitchen, the designer, who is also an avid bargain hunter, decided to go with a ’70s Formica table with a tulip stand and a pretty wooden Skaï chair.
Here, the black metal shelves are inspired by Mathieu Matégot, an iconic designer of the ’50s who loved to work with perforated metal sheets. The result is as graphic as it is practical.
“I like to not take myself too seriously when it comes to decoration,” Étienne says. It is one way to explain this cutting board, a quite alternative choice with a hint of cynicism. This would be a big hit with medical students.
All the elements in this pretty sitting room were bargains hunted down by the designer. They also include this black and white graphic carpet.
The famous Vertigo suspension light by Constance Guisset dominates the dining area in a masterful and areal way. The timber floors were refinished throughout the home.
This recycled glass table with metal tubes was found in London, where Étienne previously lived.
“This armchair was a bargain I found at a flea market and was covered by my upholsterer friend, Laura Cawte.”
“I set up my office where the former resident, an architect, had his before me.”
On the wall of this history-rich office is the magnificent ‘Mediterranea’ wallpaper of the great Piero Fornasetti – here representing Jerusalem.
This stone staircase was repainted. The frames on the wall showcase architecture projects from the ’50s.
The living area of the master bedroom includes rattan furniture for a change of pace.
“For my bedroom, I chose a striking colour, turquoise, and blended many influences as I wanted the feeling of travel to be present,” Étienne says. Here, the visitor will find a pinewood chest, an Art Deco dressing table and a confessional door leading to the dressing area and the bathroom.
“In the dressing area, we broke up the space to make the bathroom bigger and added a simple wooden frame with multiple glass windows to illuminate it,” says Étienne.
Piero Fornasseti is present here in this master bathroom, too, this time with his ‘Variazione’ wallpaper.
The freestanding bath and washbasins were found at a flea market.
A fresh and light feeling radiates from this pretty children’s bedroom. Before the overhaul, this was a kitchen. “Previously, there was a kitchen on every floor,” Étienne says.
This blue door leads to a small bathroom.
Here it is, with its stone washbasin and original tiling. The idea was to offer a small corner for a little washing and grooming.