At home with: Amélie du Chalard

Paris, France


“My home is a reflection of myself and the way I want to live.”

A Historic Home

Amélie du Chalard discovered Fritz Hansen before she discovered Poul Kjærholm’s pieces, but one thing led to another, and now du Chalard has a wide array of Kjærholm’s pieces throughout her incredible home in Paris. Once a private library in the post-WW!! period, then an artist’s studio, du Chalard’s home boasts high ceilings, lots of light, and plenty of wall space. “I keep my walls white so that I can use them as a backdrop for artworks of different sizes and mediums,” she explains.

“My home is a reflection of myself and the way I want to live,” she continues, “so it is filled with art and furniture that are meaningful to me. Since I was 15, the only gifts I’ve received for my birthday have been artworks. Paintings, sculpture, photographs, textile; I connect with many mediums. I feel similarly about furniture. All the furniture I have tells a story, and I am very focused on a diverse array of textures, from wood to cotton to wool to metal.” This is best seen in her large, 100 square metre ground floor, a space that acts as a living room, kitchen, dining room, office, and (now) a play area for her young children. “I like that it’s such a used space,” Amélie says. “There’s a lot of joy there!”

Design that brings out the best

That main space includes Arne Jacobsen’s Grand Prix chairs, which Amélie describes as “sculptural and graphic, with pure lines.” There is also her Poul Kjærholm collection, which includes the PK25, PK24, and PK22 chairs. “I like that they are different but all go together;” she says. “I think about art the same way: it doesn’t have to match, but the pieces should bring out the best in each other.” Amélie continues, “It’s also important to note that although these pieces are sculptural, they’re also very comfortable. That’s something my husband is always reminding me is important! And it’s true. I think Nordic design often has both elements - aesthetics and comfort.”

As for her next Fritz Hansen piece, Amelie says that she has her eye on the Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair in leather. “I know lots of people have it, and I don’t like to go with trends, but it’s a timeless piece.” She’s also interested in the Alphabet Sofa by Piero Lissoni, thanks to its low silhouette and modular quality. “The design is bit more playful, but it’s still clean,” she says. Like with her artist, Amelie’s loyalty to a designer deepens as she gets to know their work more and more. “I trust Fritz Hansen pieces, and being introduced to Poul Kjærholm and Arne Jacobsen - among others - has brought so much beauty into my space and life. When it comes to furniture, I go with my heart, and it has not failed!”