A dialogue between history
and contemporary design

Having founded his own studio at the age of 24, Pierre has been creating interiors, furniture, and decorative objects for over twenty years. Each of his works bears a strong signature style — expressive, personal, and reflecting his particular approach to design not only as a result but also as a process.

In developing his projects, Pierre places great importance on the use of traditional materials and artisanal craftsmanship. His favorite stage of creation is the dialogue with craftsmen — the moment when a fleeting, intangible idea turns into something real, something one can feel and touch.

The inspiration for the collection came from Parisian coffered ceilings found in palaces and private mansions — from pure classicism to historical styles, such as those seen in the Hotel de la Païva on the Champs-Élysées.

“I see such ceilings as a distinct form of art, and it was precisely that which inspired me to bring geometric lines into the rug’s design — so that the sky would quite literally fall at our feet. I wanted the collection to be as narrative and as rich as the artistic era that influenced it.”

– Pierre Gonalons, author of the collection

The idea of “the sky at our feet” also became the conceptual foundation for the photo shoot of the collection in Paris. Now, one can gaze at the sky reflected in architectural surfaces — seeing it upside down, through the prism of movement. This vision was brought to life with the help of parkour athlete Lola Roy.

Pattern variations

For the designer, the central idea of the collection was to transfer the art and elegance of Parisian ceilings onto the floor. Having lived and worked in Paris for many years, Pierre draws inspiration from the city’s aesthetic across different eras. For his collaboration with Art de Vivre, he based his designs on 17th-century palace ceiling paintings.

Reflecting on these unique examples of decorative architectural art, Pierre sought to transform them into another medium — translating their geometry and ornamentation into rugs. Thus, each rug, much like a coffered ceiling with its molding, becomes a symbolic frame within which an interior composition unfolds.

Forms

The shapes and motifs of the rugs refer to the art of the past while offering a new perspective on it — both literally and metaphorically.

• The idea of “turning things upside down”

• Geometry and restraint

• Symmetry

Colours

Pierre Gonalons and Art de Vivre share more than a love for France and its culture. Their mutual attention to materiality and tactile qualities aligns perfectly with the brand’s philosophy of softness. The warm-toned palettes proposed by the designer harmonize with Art de Vivre’s signature shades.

Fittingly, the color inspiration also comes from France itself — from the beige limestone of Parisian façades to the soft gray-blue hues of the Norman coast.

Weaving

Materials and Craftsmanship

All rugs were hand-woven in Nepal using wool, silk, and cashmere. The dyeing process was also done entirely by hand, with Pierre Gonalons personally overseeing each stage to ensure perfect color precision.

The Tibetan knot technique and yarns of varying cuts created a distinctive texture. The rug surfaces appear almost sculptural — perfectly embodying the idea of inversion, the transformation of one essence into another.

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