My Houzz: Inspired by Art, Travel and Long Dinners
A second-generation gallery owner living near Paris surrounds herself with international art and style
From the street, this small detached house, with an exterior that’s typical of the Parisian suburbs, doesn’t make much of an impression. But stepping into the garden opens up an oasis of greenery that transports visitors to Asia — and that is just the beginning of the journey.
For second-generation gallery owner Catherine Mikolajczak, deciding on her decor is an opportunity to live out her dreams. “I love repainting the walls and spend my time buying and selling furniture. I cannot stay in a static environment; I need it to evolve with us,” she says.
For second-generation gallery owner Catherine Mikolajczak, deciding on her decor is an opportunity to live out her dreams. “I love repainting the walls and spend my time buying and selling furniture. I cannot stay in a static environment; I need it to evolve with us,” she says.
The decor was inspired by Balinese homes and the traditional houses of Marrakech, both of which have long fascinated Mikolajczak. “I traveled a lot in Asia when I worked in fashion. There I discovered architectural styles that I really like and that I wanted for my own home,” she says.
“As we are very busy with our jobs and our five children, we absolutely had to create a spot for relaxation in order to be able to escape without leaving home,” Mikolajczak says.
A corner under a pergola is furnished with rattan furniture and Moroccan tables. The couple like to hang out with loved ones here in an atmosphere characterized by tropical and bohemian elements. The piece that is most emblematic of the space is the iconic peacock chair. “I love mixing metal objects with wickerwork,” Mikolajczak says.
A corner under a pergola is furnished with rattan furniture and Moroccan tables. The couple like to hang out with loved ones here in an atmosphere characterized by tropical and bohemian elements. The piece that is most emblematic of the space is the iconic peacock chair. “I love mixing metal objects with wickerwork,” Mikolajczak says.
Not a single blade of grass remains in the yard. “I designed this [169-square-foot] area myself to create a large terrace that is easier to maintain. However, with the planters and trees, nature is still omnipresent,” Mikolajczak says.
The area has a southern exposure and is sheltered from the wind by the neighboring building. “It creates a kind of greenhouse effect that allows us to grow exotic varieties that are difficult to find in Île-de-France,” Mikolajczak says. She loves plants with sculptural forms and captivating scents. “It’s part of the sensory experience of traveling — in our very own garden,” she says.
The area has a southern exposure and is sheltered from the wind by the neighboring building. “It creates a kind of greenhouse effect that allows us to grow exotic varieties that are difficult to find in Île-de-France,” Mikolajczak says. She loves plants with sculptural forms and captivating scents. “It’s part of the sensory experience of traveling — in our very own garden,” she says.
“We often chat with a couple who run an exotic plant nursery in Villecresnes. They give us very good advice,” Mikolajczak says.
Here there are cactuses, succulents and even a corkscrew willow, which rises from a hole in the deck, made of trumpet tree wood. The white pebbles surrounding the trunk add to the Zen-like atmosphere.
Here there are cactuses, succulents and even a corkscrew willow, which rises from a hole in the deck, made of trumpet tree wood. The white pebbles surrounding the trunk add to the Zen-like atmosphere.
This addition replaced the old garage. Built on a concrete slab, it houses the living room, pictured; the master bedroom, accessed by the stairs in the background; and the TV lounge, in the basement.
The expanses of glass open the living room to the outside and flood it with light. “They enhance the feeling of spaciousness in a room that is, after all, only [291 square feet], since we adopted the dimensions of the old garage. Fortunately, the ceiling height is quite extraordinary since the zinc roof is [about 8 to 16½ feet] high,” Mikolajczak says.
The expanses of glass open the living room to the outside and flood it with light. “They enhance the feeling of spaciousness in a room that is, after all, only [291 square feet], since we adopted the dimensions of the old garage. Fortunately, the ceiling height is quite extraordinary since the zinc roof is [about 8 to 16½ feet] high,” Mikolajczak says.
The brightness of the space allowed Mikolajczak to paint the main wall a deep Seychelles blue. “When we started the work, I fell in love with Farrow & Ball paints. However, the matte finish is not practical when you have children because fingerprints are unforgiving,” she says. She eventually decided to create her own paints inspired by what she had seen in magazines, but with a matte lacquer finish. “This is the same pigment as the matte paint, but a wipe of the sponge suffices to clean anything off.”
The colors change every six months or so, “much to the annoyance my husband,” says Mikolajczak, laughing. “I told him that decor is therapeutic for me. When I need to turn things over in my head and refocus, I move the furniture around and change the color of the walls, because they affect our emotions.”
Artworks: Monique Orsini (left) and Rero (right); bookcase: Bric à Brac, Drugeot Labo
The colors change every six months or so, “much to the annoyance my husband,” says Mikolajczak, laughing. “I told him that decor is therapeutic for me. When I need to turn things over in my head and refocus, I move the furniture around and change the color of the walls, because they affect our emotions.”
Artworks: Monique Orsini (left) and Rero (right); bookcase: Bric à Brac, Drugeot Labo
The entrance to the kitchen was enlarged to make it easier to walk in from the living room. Since the wall in question is load-bearing, an I-beam had to be installed. A sliding glass partition divides the spaces while preserving the bright, airy feeling. There is underfloor heating under the polymer-concrete floor.
Painting: Hopare; sofa, mirror, floor lamp, coffee table and side table: Caravane; pillows: Le Monde Sauvage; white lamp: Maison Sarah Lavoine; rug: Jamini
Painting: Hopare; sofa, mirror, floor lamp, coffee table and side table: Caravane; pillows: Le Monde Sauvage; white lamp: Maison Sarah Lavoine; rug: Jamini
The painting of a woman in a hat immediately catches the eye. “The only rule you need to know for hanging a work of art like in a museum is that the center of the canvas must be at the observer’s eye level,” Mikolajczak says.
As for how to select artwork for an interior, this expert says that there is no formula. “Art is, above all, an emotion. Beauty and harmony are subjective, so you just have to follow your gut,” Mikolajczak says. “Even if you aren’t rich, you can still start building an art collection and allow it to grow over the years. After all, there is a wide range of more or less affordable artistic expressions such as paintings, sculptures and drawings. The combinations you come up with should be instinctive.”
Another piece of advice from the gallery owner: Never choose a work of art based on your furniture because, according to her, the interior should adapt and act as a frame to enhance the art, not the other way around.
As for how to select artwork for an interior, this expert says that there is no formula. “Art is, above all, an emotion. Beauty and harmony are subjective, so you just have to follow your gut,” Mikolajczak says. “Even if you aren’t rich, you can still start building an art collection and allow it to grow over the years. After all, there is a wide range of more or less affordable artistic expressions such as paintings, sculptures and drawings. The combinations you come up with should be instinctive.”
Another piece of advice from the gallery owner: Never choose a work of art based on your furniture because, according to her, the interior should adapt and act as a frame to enhance the art, not the other way around.
In the original part of the house, the kitchen was expanded into the former hallway. Cement floor tiles hint at Mikolajczak’s love of travel, mansions and the mas, or traditional Provençal farmhouse.
Stools: Cosydar
Stools: Cosydar
The kitchen is Mikolajczak’s husband’s playroom. “He’s like a Cordon Bleu chef,” Mikolajczak says. The U-shaped layout, with its bar counter, makes for a cozy breakfast nook or a space for the whole family to gather and chat when someone is cooking.
“It really brings the family together and makes the kitchen the heart of the house,” the owner says.
Kitchen cabinetry: Ikea
“It really brings the family together and makes the kitchen the heart of the house,” the owner says.
Kitchen cabinetry: Ikea
The kitchen leads directly to the dining room. Mikolajczak created the salmon-colored wall paint in this room too.
“The dining room is very important because we are a bit hedonist: We like to take the time to be together and share a nice meal,” says Mikolajczak, who cherishes this ritual during her otherwise busy days.
The large mirror — placed in the corner to double the light in the room — was a bargain find. The Berber baskets on the right-hand wall are souvenirs from a trip to Marrakech. The waxed concrete floor echoes the earth tones of the cement tiles in the kitchen.
Dining table: Maisons du Monde; chairs: Frenchrosa; pendant lights: Merci; low Indian seats: Ouma Productions
The large mirror — placed in the corner to double the light in the room — was a bargain find. The Berber baskets on the right-hand wall are souvenirs from a trip to Marrakech. The waxed concrete floor echoes the earth tones of the cement tiles in the kitchen.
Dining table: Maisons du Monde; chairs: Frenchrosa; pendant lights: Merci; low Indian seats: Ouma Productions
In addition to works of art, Mikolajczak collects straw hats.
Painting: Hopare
Painting: Hopare
A staircase leads to the bedrooms. Small cutouts in the wall connect it with the living room next door (the cutouts are visible over the mirror in the living room photos above).
“I borrowed this idea from Moroccan interiors,” Mikolajczak says. “This naturally illuminates the stairs while showcasing sculptures.”
“I borrowed this idea from Moroccan interiors,” Mikolajczak says. “This naturally illuminates the stairs while showcasing sculptures.”
The upstairs hallway is another opportunity to display works of art.
Rug: Caravane
Rug: Caravane
This is Juliette’s room, at the end of the hallway. Since the 17-year-old girl wanted decor with a sunny feel, Mikolajczak opted for a curry yellow that goes perfectly with the rattan furniture and the natural wood of the closets.
Lila-May is the youngest in the family. The decor in her room was deliberately kept very neutral. “As she is only 5 years old, we wanted to create a canvas that she can customize bit by bit according to her tastes,” Mikolajczak says.
The large armoire is actually a china cabinet, which was personalized with wallpaper on the inside. “It brings a vintage touch to the room and allows you to see Lila-May’s pretty dresses on their wooden hangers.”
The large armoire is actually a china cabinet, which was personalized with wallpaper on the inside. “It brings a vintage touch to the room and allows you to see Lila-May’s pretty dresses on their wooden hangers.”
Lou and Adam, the two boys from Mikolajczak’s husband’s first marriage, stay in the third bedroom every other weekend. Mikolajczak’s oldest daughter, Marussia, also stays here when she comes home from school in Montreal.
Here, too, works of art adorn the walls and bring graphic design and character to the room.
Here, too, works of art adorn the walls and bring graphic design and character to the room.
Back downstairs, on the other side of the living room, are the entrances to the basement TV lounge and the master bedroom.
The TV was moved to the basement from the living room to make the latter a place for distraction-free quality time with family and friends. When family members want to watch a movie, they just go down a few steps to enjoy this cozy space completely dedicated to entertainment in front of the TV.
Sofa: AM.PM; floor lamp: Caravane; painting above the sofa: Jean Faucheur
The TV was moved to the basement from the living room to make the latter a place for distraction-free quality time with family and friends. When family members want to watch a movie, they just go down a few steps to enjoy this cozy space completely dedicated to entertainment in front of the TV.
Sofa: AM.PM; floor lamp: Caravane; painting above the sofa: Jean Faucheur
The master bedroom lies off the living room. It is raised up by a few steps. There are no original artworks here, but there is a wonderful nonwoven wallpaper mural that’s based on a hand-painted original. Thanks to the 13-foot-high ceiling, it’s not overwhelming.
“I felt like having a neutral room dedicated solely to rest, a bit like a decompression chamber,” Mikolajczak says. “The fresco in here is spectacular and so encompassing that you feel like you are in a cocoon.”
The bottom of the wall is painted in yet another color created by the owner.
Wallpaper: Ananbô; bedding: Le Monde Sauvage
“I felt like having a neutral room dedicated solely to rest, a bit like a decompression chamber,” Mikolajczak says. “The fresco in here is spectacular and so encompassing that you feel like you are in a cocoon.”
The bottom of the wall is painted in yet another color created by the owner.
Wallpaper: Ananbô; bedding: Le Monde Sauvage
The furniture, curtains and decor are another testament to Mikolajczak’s love of travel.
“We wanted to create a Zen and earth-toned atmosphere that would be as neutral as possible and match the outside well,” says Mikolajczak, who likes to open the glass doors whenever the weather allows.
“In the summer, we feel like we are on vacation: We take baths with a view of the garden, then walk only a few steps to have a Moroccan tea under the pergola.” In winter, the couple have the pleasure of feeling as if they are in the mountains. “Taking a bath when there are [8 inches] of snow on the terrace is such a delight!”
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
“In the summer, we feel like we are on vacation: We take baths with a view of the garden, then walk only a few steps to have a Moroccan tea under the pergola.” In winter, the couple have the pleasure of feeling as if they are in the mountains. “Taking a bath when there are [8 inches] of snow on the terrace is such a delight!”
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Catherine Mikolajczak, pictured, founder of Galerie 42b; her husband; their five children (Lila-May, Juliette, Lou, Adam and the oldest, Marussia, who is usually at school in Montreal); and their dog, Daphne
Location: St.-Maur-des-Fossés, southeast of Paris
Size: About 1,905 square feet (177 square meters), including an addition of 829 square feet (77 square meters)
Renovation budget: $237,000 to $356,000
“We bought this house in 2009,” Mikolajczak says. “We were looking for a home big enough to accommodate our stepfamily of five children. St.-Maur-des-Fossés was ideal: It is a charming, quiet town. With the river Marne nearby, it has a pleasant countryside setting that makes us forget Paris is only [about 6 miles] away.”
The couple kept looking despite an expensive market, eventually finding this house, which is typical of 1920s workers homes in France. “We immediately saw its potential because we could build an extension in the garden,” Mikolajczak says. The garage and a small house that had stood in the backyard were torn down to make room to expand the originally 1,076-square-foot space into a 1,905-square-foot home.