Seeking the Truth Behind a Collection

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A true Parisian and a highly sensitive architect, Charles Zana imagines each project through the lens of a French lifestyle, sharing his sensitive visions of space with his international and French clients. A passionate collector like his father, he has done in-depth research on the great Italian design masters of the 20th century such as Ettore Sottsass and Carlo Scarpa.
LARRY’S LIST spoke with Charles Zana who talked about the essence of French lifestyle according to him, his own personal art and design collection, trends that we can expect to see in his future projects, as well as the Instagram accounts he find most inspirational.

Parisian architect and interior designer Charles Zana. Photo: Olivia Haudry. Courtesy of Charles Zana
Parisian architect and interior designer Charles Zana. Photo: Olivia Haudry. Courtesy of Charles Zana

 

10 Questions with Charles Zana

What is your number-one rule when designing a space to best compliment an art collection?
My number-one rule when designing a space with a collection is to understand the collector(s) behind the space. A collector is always looking for the truth behind the accumulation. I seek this truth.

 

What do you think is the essence of French lifestyle? How do you incorporate that into your interior design?
The French lifestyle is a myriad of elusive elements such as the taste for detail, natural elegance, the importance of heritage or even romanticism. The starting point of all our projects always remains a question of historical roots, tradition and culture. And at the same time, it’s about audacity and the desire for change, with a resolutely contemporary touch. Ultimately, French taste is the heritage of a traditional culture with all the freedom that we allow ourselves to take—for example, classic French cuisine twisted by today’s chefs.

Cascais stone chimney piece, armchairs by Jean-Michel Frank, Oval Buddha Silver sculpture by Takashi Murakami, artworks above fireplace by Glenn Ligon, My Act painting by Richard Prince and Christopher Wool. Photo: Jacques Pépion. Courtesy of Charles Zana
Cascais stone chimney piece, armchairs by Jean-Michel Frank, Oval Buddha Silver sculpture by Takashi Murakami, artworks above fireplace by Glenn Ligon, My Act painting by Richard Prince and Christopher Wool. Photo: Jacques Pépion. Courtesy of Charles Zana
Ours polaire sofa and armchair suite by Jean Royère, pair of coffee tables by Martin Szekely, pair of Serpentine sofas by Vladimir Kagan, stools by Charlotte Perriand, lamps by Gino Sarfatti, artwork by Adam McEwen. Photo: Matthieu Salvaing. Courtesy of Charles Zana
Ours polaire sofa and armchair suite by Jean Royère, pair of coffee tables by Martin Szekely, pair of Serpentine sofas by Vladimir Kagan, stools by Charlotte Perriand, lamps by Gino Sarfatti, artwork by Adam McEwen. Photo: Matthieu Salvaing. Courtesy of Charles Zana


How do art collectors differentiate from your other clients?
The collector thinks of placing his art pieces in the project. He wants a space designed around the collection.

What was the most memorable experience of designing interiors for an art collector?
The most memorable experience was an installation by James Turrell in a Parisian apartment.
Collaborating in the creation of a unique installation for a specific space is a totally different experience from hanging classic paintings. It takes a lot of technique. The artist came for the installation at the end of the project, it was unforgettable.

Sculptures by Fernand Léger and Boetti Alighiero; black and white photography by Raymond Loewy, the hanging lamp, the side table in the foreground, and the work on the rear wall are all by Ettore Sottsass. Champel sofa, Dune coffee table and a Franck Bridge chair by Charles Zana. To the left of the window, behind the Lutrario chair by Carlo Mollino, an Élysée lamp by Pierre Paulin. To the right, a table lamp by Andrea Branzi, rug by Manufacture Cogolin. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Charles Zana
Sculptures by Fernand Léger and Boetti Alighiero; black and white photography by Raymond Loewy, the hanging lamp, the side table in the foreground, and the work on the rear wall are all by Ettore Sottsass. Champel sofa, Dune coffee table and a Franck Bridge chair by Charles Zana. To the left of the window, behind the Lutrario chair by Carlo Mollino, an Élysée lamp by Pierre Paulin. To the right, a table lamp by Andrea Branzi, rug by Manufacture Cogolin. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Charles Zana
Indra headboard by Charles Zana, Untitled painting by David Salle, bamboo and paper floor lamp by Andrea Branzi, bedside table by Arne Jacobsen, Brasilia lamp by Michel Boyer, Rubelli velvet blanket. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Charles Zana
Indra headboard by Charles Zana, Untitled painting by David Salle, bamboo and paper floor lamp by Andrea Branzi, bedside table by Arne Jacobsen, Brasilia lamp by Michel Boyer, Rubelli velvet blanket. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Charles Zana


Would you share some of your favorite artists that you love to see in collector homes?
Mario Schifano, Daniel Buren, Vassilakis Takis, Andy Wahrol, Tom Wasselmann, I like creating cultured combinations.

Interiors and art often seem to be in flawless harmony. Yet, we know from our collectors that artworks eventually change. How do the interiors you design adapt to an evolving art collection?
A home is always in motion. What are important are the connections of shapes and colors. Staging works of art also means allowing free hangings and dialogues between them. Finally, when we are in front of the works, the hanging makes sense.

Présidence desk and chair by Jean Prouvé, Elysée floor lamp by Pierre Paulin, artwork by Ulla von Brandenburg. Photo: Matthieu Salvaing. Courtesy of Charles Zana
Présidence desk and chair by Jean Prouvé, Elysée floor lamp by Pierre Paulin, artwork by Ulla von Brandenburg. Photo: Matthieu Salvaing. Courtesy of Charles Zana
Sofa and armchairs covered in black colt skin by Pierre Jeanneret, coffee table in walnut and natural stone by Bung Hoon Choi, Liane leather pendant lamp by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. Photo: Jacques Pépion. Courtesy of Charles Zana
Sofa and armchairs covered in black colt skin by Pierre Jeanneret, coffee table in walnut and natural stone by Bung Hoon Choi, Liane leather pendant lamp by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. Photo: Jacques Pépion. Courtesy of Charles Zana


Could you tell us more about your own personal art and design collection? Which pieces are closest to your heart?
I like to mix styles, periods and accumulate several objects. Put them in front, behind, play with spaces. Things often evolve in my house, but I really appreciate the bamboo and paper lamp by Andrea Branzi, ceramics by Ettore Sottsass or the collage by Mario Schifano. Other artists are part of my collection like Carlo Scarpa, Alessandro Mendini, Alighiero Boetti, Pierre Paulin or Jean-Michel Frank.

Ispahan table in Iranian travertine and Archipel chandelier by Charles Zana, set of dishes in raw metal by Enzo Mari, chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, vases by Andrea Branzi, wall work by Bruno Capacci, Élysée floor lamp by Pierre Paulin. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Charles Zana
Ispahan table in Iranian travertine and Archipel chandelier by Charles Zana, set of dishes in raw metal by Enzo Mari, chairs by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, vases by Andrea Branzi, wall work by Bruno Capacci, Élysée floor lamp by Pierre Paulin. Photo: François Halard. Courtesy of Charles Zana


As a tastemaker, are there any trends from your perspective you could share with us? What can we expect to see in your future projects?
Going back to the essence of what I loved 30 years ago. It’s to find a simpler, truer form with less worked materials. A return to nature perhaps, getting closer to raw and real materials while respecting our existing heritage.

What advice would you give to a young designer in finding their own unique perspective in interior or furniture design? Or even to a young collector looking to create a minimalist space at home?
Always putting substance behind form, remaining open to changes in society.

Aile d'avion desk by Jean Prouvé, Tête lumineuse lamp by André Borderie, armchair by Pierre Jeanneret. Photo: Matthieu Salvaing. Courtesy of Charles Zana
Aile d’avion desk by Jean Prouvé, Tête lumineuse lamp by André Borderie, armchair by Pierre Jeanneret. Photo: Matthieu Salvaing. Courtesy of Charles Zana
Walnut table by Martin Srekely, Compas chairs by Jean Prouve, Obumex fitted furniture in marsh oak and gray Belgium stone. Photo: Jacques Pépion. Courtesy of Charles Zana
Walnut table by Martin Srekely, Compas chairs by Jean Prouve, Obumex fitted furniture in marsh oak and gray Belgium stone. Photo: Jacques Pépion. Courtesy of Charles Zana


Can you share some of the Instagram accounts that you find most inspirational?
FormaFantasma, the design studio of Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin (@formafantasma)
François Halard, photographe (@francoishalard)
Alexandra Golovanoff (@alexandragolovanoff)
Michele de Lucchi (@micheledelucchi)
Yann Couvreur (@yanncouvreur)
Invisible Collection (@theinvisiblecollection)
Carpenters Workshop Gallery (@carpentersworkshopgallery)

 

Related: Charles Zana
Instagram: @charles_zana

By Ricko Leung 

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