Interview with Pierre Yovanovitch
At the beginning of 2021, we asked a few questions to one of the greatest talents of our time. A patron of French craft open to influences from around the world, an art collector who believes in the functionality of design and a globetrotter raising chickens in his beloved house, Pierre Yovanovitch invites us to discover the richness and subtlety of his aesthetic universe.
Discover this beautiful book presenting his most spectacular projects from around the world. Available in our online bookstore , signed by Pierre Yovanovitch himself.
We are currently going through a health, social and certainly philosophical crisis. Does this give a particular meaning to your work? What is the role of Beauty in this context?
The current crisis is having effects on lifestyles that I consider positive (less fuss, more time for reflection, increased attention to nature) and negative (isolation, more virtual, less real). These changes are very rapid and radical. They obviously have an impact on my business.
My job is not to change people’s way of life but to create an environment in which this way of life is as natural and pleasant as possible. In this context, the role of beauty would be to bring people into harmony with their lives. It is therefore linked with happiness but it should not determine who we are. As I say this, I can immediately think of a thousand counter-examples, however, I still think that this is a good way of approaching my work.
Is design an art form for you?
Design and art are interrelated in different ways. I love art and that’s why I place it at the heart of my design practice. I often work with artists to create in-situ works that become major points of my projects. Design is different of course. We have to take into account the practicalities involved: weight, comfort, durability and function. Aesthetics should not take precedence over the function of the object.
Who would Pierre Yovanovitch be today if he hadn’t become an interior designer?
I would have become a gardener. Being outside allows me to escape and get lost in the wild. I find it very therapeutic. Spending time in nature makes you really understand the changing seasons and the effect of global warming.
What makes your interiors French?
I have a tailor-made, even haute couture, approach to all my projects. I work with French craftsmen, who are experts in their field, whether it is cabinetmaking, ceramics, glassblowing or even upholstery, in order to create tailor-made furniture and decorations that suit the daily life of my clients. French style is based on the richness of our culture and the diversity of our craft. It sometimes suffers from the weight of this heritage, and therefore from a lack of boldness, but it is still often able to transcend this.
This is what I am looking to do: to build on this monument whilst maintaining a form of carefree lightness, which in itself is also very French. At the same time, it’s an unwavering commitment to quality and attention to detail. The French style is tailor-made. It is about making sure that every element in the room is the perfect size and of the highest quality in order to do the best work possible.
Finally, it also means open-mindedness, it is not about chauvinism. In my case, these are my international inspirations (later developed), my taste for travel (I recently visited Ljubljana and Glasgow)…
You have created a line of furniture, what function does it have? Is it for fun or out of necessity to equip and decorate your projects?
Let’s say it’s a desire. It started with small creations for projects, which became more numerous and then naturally led to collections. After about 15 years of creating bespoke furniture for my interior design projects, I unveiled my first collection, OOPS, at the New York R & Company gallery in 2017. I pay particular attention to the function and the quality and the aesthetics of my pieces. We work with exceptional craftsmen who have unique know-how, but it is also essential that these designs last over time.
The 2017 OOPS collection then prompted me to create a second collection two years later, LOVE, at the same gallery in New York in 2019. As we continue to include bespoke furniture and lighting in our interiors projects, the success of these two collections have made the agency evolve. Now interior architecture and furniture are considered equally and have run tandem to our projects.
Where do you find inspiration and from whom?
Nature is my greatest source of inspiration. Because the most beautiful materials come from nature. A project always begins with the quality and beauty of the raw material. Natural materials have so many different textures, depths and characters. This is what gives personality to an object or a space. Light is also very important in my projects. It determines the atmosphere of a room. That’s why I use natural light as much as possible.
I also draw my inspiration from different design movements, such as the Swedish Grace, a relatively unknown movement from the 1920s. Gunnar Asplund, who I considered one of the best Swedish architects of the first half of the 20th century, was part of this movement, as was Axel Einar Hjorth. Rigor, balance, curve, depth of materials are the characteristics of pieces of furniture from this period. Often simplistic, of raw and organic quality (pine), and extremely sophisticated at the same time, they were remarkable.
I also admire the Nordic designers of the 1930s and 1960s, such as Frits Henningsen, Paavo Tynell, Flemming Lassen, or the American designers Paul Laszlo, Paul Frankl, Terence Harold Robsjohn-Gibbings, James Mont, Harvey Probber. American designers of the last century knew how to get around conventions: steel, cork, ceramics, wood, many of which were not found in Europe. Paul Frankl’s cork and oak coffee table is fascinating! My attraction to this period of American design correlates to the interiors I create. I love the strength and authenticity that emanate from these designs with near architectural perfection, apparent simplicity, personality, elegance, a touch of originality without ostentation or even arrogance and timeless accuracy.
What is the place you prefer to be in the world?
My home, because it is my sanctuary. The place where I both reconnect with my roots and where I feel inspired. A place where I can interact with nature, my animals – my dogs, donkeys, chickens. It is also a place where I can express myself creatively and where I can work with artists.
What do you wish for humanity in 2021?
More joy and more wisdom.