Summer shopping with Darren Henault

Last week we introduced you to Darren Henault, whose extraordinary talent for creating luxurious, livable spaces has won him awards, accolades, and the attention of the most important design publications in the world. His clients include celebrities, business leaders, and the social elite. For Henault, “living beautifully is about editing and figuring out what positive changes to make that will affect how you feel about your home and, ultimately, yourself.” Epitomized in this home in Millbrook:


And this New York living room, seen in New York Spaces:

We spent an afternoon with him on the hunt around the DDB looking for his favorite finds for summer. Here's what he loves, and why.


-"This Diana églomise chest of drawers from Jean de Merry is a great find. A gorgeous Old World technique on a clean and very usable piece of furniture:

-"The Windsor étagère from Frederick P. Victoria & Son is gorgeous. As it's custom, you can lacquer it, distress it, whatever you like. Again something old made new:

-"The textured linens and silks from Nancy Corzine are beautiful. They're formal but crisp and light enough to live with in the summer."
-"New bedding from Leron! Change the room from Winter to Spring just by having the folks there whip up something light and airy:


-"Have I mentioned my new rug collection at Holland & Sherry? How about using my designs and making them in cotton or linen? They're happy to oblige."

New collection: Jean de Merry textiles

Jean de Merry has always been committed to preserving traditional construction methods with their furniture collections. The California-based company, started in 2001 by Christian D. Maroselli and Jean de Merry, is perhaps less known for its textile collection, which extends the brand’s philosophy of preserving tradition and the sophistication of classic construction. Using bygone weaving techniques, luxurious hand-woven fabrics come together to create a collection that explores texture, scale, tonality and the natural beauty of the materials.


Working mostly with wools and cottons, the core collection also includes offerings in bamboo, mohair, cashmere, alpaca and recycled polyester. Here's a look at the latest additions to the line:

In the News: Jean de Merry Presents Premier Modernist Collection at DDB

Founder of namesake multidisciplinary, Azadeh Shladovsky launches her first modernist, artisanal furniture collection at the coveted Jean de Merry showroom at the DDB after an overwhelming response from the East Coast since debuting this Fall in LA and Chicago. The modernist collection of sculptural furniture premiers this Fall-Winter 2011-2012.

With this collection, interior designer and founder of eponymous, Los Angeles based firm, Azadeh Shladovsky, explores her unique relationship with nature and highlights her ability to create powerful expressions that are as beautiful as they are functional. Her perspective is informed by and, to a degree, controlled by the forces inherent in her wood medium.

Using forms and structures present in the wood as guidance, Shladovsky adds an element of tension with brass and other metals. Opposing forces of soft and hard, lustrous and matte, organic and linear create a drama of contrasts, which reinforce the integral character of the individual materials. In her work, Shladovsky uses nature and its processes as a guide, both in how each piece is formed and how it is perceived.

“The pieces in this collection reveal my artistic evolution,” Shladovsky said. "The collection reveals the evolution of my relationship mainly with the forces of nature, especially those I cannot control. These pieces are meant to provoke a dynamic sensory experience and engage my audience in a dialogue that struggles with questions of tension, control and peace."

Just as Jean de Merry is an artisanal line producing pieces that are timeless, unexpected and anchored by quality and craftsmanship, so is Azadehʼs approach to handcraft. Both LA-based lines employ talented American craftsman trained in age-old techniques to apply their knowledge to woods and metals. The end results are wholly new designs rooted in older forms and based on traditional ways of manufacturing.

Product Pick: See Yourself in the Ramo Mirror

Jean de Merry and Christian D. Maroselli founded the namesake furniture line Jean de Merry in 2001 with a mission to uphold the craft of a bygone era.

From a small French town where generations of de Merry’s family operated a tanning business for four centuries, to creating a visionary home collection manufactured at his Los Angeles workshop, Jean de Merry has grown into an French Deco-inspired, artisanal line producing pieces that are timeless and anchored by quality and craftsmanship.

American craftsman trained in age-old French techniques apply their knowledge to wood veneers, leather, shagreen, parchment and bronze. Textile, glass and mirror manufacturing was launched this year, and the birth of the Ramo Mirror came to fruition.

The Ramo Mirror is a hand-forged metal frame with antiqued fold finish with crystal cabochons in an emerald finish with a Jean de Merry mirror with antiqued mercury finish in the center.

See yourself in the Ramo Mirror at the Jean de Merry showroom at the DDB.

Q&A with ‘Young Traditional’ Jeff Andrews

Jeff Andrews is another of tradhome's Young Traditional Designers to keep your eyes open for this year. He spent some time with us in New York recently to tell us what he's loving this Spring and a few of the first things he did when the weather finally warmed up.

GDG: What were some of the Spring 2011 products you were most looking forward to this year?

JA: I couldn't wait to see what Kyle Bunting was up to! He always has amazing new ways to use hide, such as wall upholstery and rug designs. I also recently saw Maya Romanoff's exciting new line of fabrics, which I love! They can be used for drapery, upholstery and wallpaper. I was also so looking forward to seeing what Jean de Merry would do this Spring. I love their gorgeous new fabrics, custom accessories (like wall mirrors and lighting) and of course, their furniture!

GDG: What should we keep our eyes open for this Spring?

JA: From us, look for pastels mixed with grays, layers of pattern, driftwood inspired furniture and new projects on my website!

GDG: What is the first thing you did once the weather finally warmed up?

JA: Worked on getting a tan and shopped, shopped, shopped! I’m always on the lookout for fabulous new finds!

GDG: Can you share any fun examples of going stir crazy this Winter?

JA: Living in California, we haven’t had the crazy winter you had in New York.  We did have a lot of rain this winter; the upside is that my yard looks amazing!

Stay tuned to GoDesignGo for more of tradhome's top 20 "Hot List" Designers to know what you should keep your eyes open for this Spring.

Ladies & Gentleman, Miss Piggy Sits with Jean de Merry

Jean de Merry has made its way onto the set of the new Muppet Movie, which features Miss Piggy as a Vogue magazine editor.

The movie’s set design team visited the Jean de Merry’s LA showroom looking for the perfect desk for Miss Piggy’s New York City office, and they found just what they were looking for. The desk they chose is based on a Paul Dupre Lafon desk and is made with antiqued parchment and Jean de Merry leather with brass hardware.

“It's got just the right amount of class and sass that Miss Piggy requires,” said Thomas O'Donnell, Jean de Merry Showroom Manager.

The movie will be released Christmas 2011. The working titles are 'The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made' or 'The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made' and is based on the muppets uniting to save the Muppet Theater, which sits on top of a black gold mine, from an evil oil tycoon.

Bac Chair is Back!

It is official - the Bac Chair is back. And thank goodness because it is a beauty and Jean de Merry's feature of the day! Shown in their very own Asler Fabric (color Angus) and with Brazilian Cafe Grain legs.

The Lumiere chandelier

To kick off a new week Jean de Merry is proud to feature one of our favorite pieces.  The Lumiere chandelier.  Standard in 3 sizes and 4 finishes (although we have proven that you can have this chandelier in any size).  Is the height of your room an issue - we can help - request the flush mounted custom version!  Striking and timeless - every home should be so lucky to have this piece of art hanging from the ceiling!

Jean de Merry

Today's featured item is the Square Sideboard!  Simple, elegant, and useful.  Provides storage and glamour.  An excellent addition to a media room, living room or dining area.  Shown with Ebony Lacquer, Antiqued Parchment and Bronze Hardware.  Completely customizable - change the size - change the color - change anything!

Jean de Merry and the Goddess of the Hunt

Acclaimed French furniture maker, Jean de Merry, brings to life the ancient Roman myth of the goddess of the hunt with their Diana Credenza. Diana, associated most often with wild animals and woodland, is depicted on the cabinet using a beautiful hand-painted reverse glass technique, with solid bronze glass on the top and sides. The cabinet also features top latch drawers, making the piece both functional and a major statement in any room.