THE LOBBY
Living Better While we continue to lament the effects of Coronavirus, one
an atypically luxurious room; a sort of wrapping, a protective
thing that lockdown has taught us is the value of space and
showcase, nestled in the greenery.”
time. Open spaces away from crowds to breathe in the fresh
Wide openings between indoor and outdoor eliminate
air, and the luxury of time to take a step back from the stresses
boundaries, while a fluid layout and the presence of elliptical
of daily life and reset.
curves create a sense of freedom. Interiors echo the natural
With that in mind, French designer Sybille de Margerie has
world and feature raw textures such as wood and stone, together
been exploring the idea of living better, taking the ponderings
with brass, leather, cotton and linen. Colourful wallpaper and
of Marcel Proust – who stated “the most remarkable journeys
plush upholstery add a poetic touch, while furniture is nomadic,
come from the inside, free from time and space” – as inspiration.
making the layout of the space customisable to the individual.
The resulting concept, Le Cocon de Luxe, comes in the form
“The original idea came from an egg-shaped concept, a
of an ovoid-shaped dwelling designed as an extension of an
cocoon – a birth, or rather, a rebirth,” de Margerie continues.
existing property or a remote refuge in the great outdoors,
“The layout is inspired by the complementary forces of Yin
where guests can isolate.
and Yang; through playing with opposite systems, the space
“This period has been such an inspiration to me that I wanted
balances a sunny side and a shady side, dark and light, night
to go beyond all constraints and conceive a space as part of a
and day. They may as well represent the duality of human
new design concept,” says de Margerie. “I wanted to design
nature; introvert or extrovert, an intimate life or a social world.”
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