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Living With – Solène David

In Arles, Solène David creates a luminous home where design meets everyday living.

Living With – Solène David

Solène David, a home that lives

In Arles, in a house designed in 1926 by the architect Léon Véran, Solène David has created an interior that reflects her own personality: instinctive, warm, and constantly evolving.

A PR consultant specialising in tourism and gastronomy, she divides her time between Paris and the South of France with her husband Yassine and their two daughters. In this house with its generous proportions and abundant natural light, objects tell stories, spaces evolve with family life, and nothing is ever truly static.

Between family heritage, spontaneous crushes, and inspirations drawn from Pierre Chapo, Charlotte Perriand, and Vincent Van Duysen, Solène opens the doors to a sensitive interior where aesthetics are paramount.

Welcome to Solène David's home.

Is there a piece or object in your home that tells a specific story?

The drawing by the artist Tudor Onica. He gave it to my father in exchange for tennis lessons in the 1980s. My mother never really liked it, and the artwork spent many years in the loft.

Later, my father remarried, but my stepmother wasn't any more impressed. After searching for a place for it for a long time, the drawing finally ended up in my home. Let's just say it's an indefinite loan! My husband has gotten used to it now.

How important is comfort to you when designing a space?

I'm giving it more and more importance, even though aesthetics remain my priority. Ideally, I like rooms that manage to combine both, but if I have to choose, I prefer something that's both beautiful and comfortable to something extremely comfortable but lacking character.

Do you have a more instinctive or deliberate approach to your decor choices?

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Completely instinctive. It sometimes backfires, because I can fall in love with a piece of furniture or an object without knowing where it will fit in the house. But I always tell myself I'll find a place for it eventually.

How do you integrate new pieces into an existing interior?

I'm very attached to objects, but less so to furniture. I can easily get rid of one piece to make room for another. I also like to rearrange spaces. For me, nothing is set in stone: a house should evolve with those who live in it. My home office, for example, has become my daughters' playroom.

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Do you prefer statement pieces that structure a space or more subtle details?

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Both. Statement pieces set the tone and create an identity, while details add personality and depth. In my opinion, one doesn't go without the other.

Are there any designers or inspirations that influence your work?

I greatly admire Pierre Chapo and Charlotte Perriand for their ability to combine functionality and aesthetics. I am also very drawn to the work of contemporary designers like Hugo Toro, Laura Gonzalez, and Vincent Van Duysen, whose worlds inspire me a lot.

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How do you envision your home evolving in the coming years?

When my daughters are older, some spaces will take on a new purpose. I can already picture transforming their play area into a reading nook with a bookcase, a bar cabinet, and a beautiful lounge chair. It will also be an opportunity to rethink some rooms, change the sofa, and update the decor of their bedrooms over time.

Solène David's selection

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