Our History

Many years ago, Efim Mouromtsev, the man who would go on to establish the Art de Vivre brand, was captivated by a rug of extraordinary beauty at an oriental bazaar. His knowledge of rug weaving was limited at the time, but he was certain that he had stumbled upon a true masterpiece. He resolved not to return home without that rug.

A few days later, he was already testing out the new rug in the living room of his West Berlin apartment. However, something was amiss: the perfect image that Efim had envisioned on his journey home didn't materialize. The rug's colors seemed to have lost their vibrancy, and the pattern its expressiveness. Even the interior itself began to appear peculiar.

One might suspect some ancient oriental sorcery at work. But the reality was far more intriguing: delving into the history of the matter, Efim discovered that in the 17th century, when the art of rug weaving made its way to Europe and the Savonnery manufactory was established in France, a new understanding of rug placement in the interiors had emerged. It was during the reign of Louis XIV that the French decided a rug should not only captivate with its exotic allure, but also be chosen or custom-made for the interior.

Inspired by this revelation, Efim Mouromtsev conceived a groundbreaking concept — not just to sell handmade rugs, but to create a perfect harmony between the rug and the interior, offering customers a French approach to decorating. Thus, the Art de Vivre brand was born, that translates to "the art of living" in French. While much has evolved since the “Sun King” era , interiors adorned with unique, original objects continue to be highly valued.

For over two decades, Art de Vivre decorators have been handpicking rugs for the interiors of top designers, whose projects grace the pages of the most fashionable magazines. The concept, born out of a passion for rugs, a thirst for knowledge, and a commitment to providing exceptional service to our customers, has proven to be a resounding success. We hope you'll have the opportunity to experience it firsthand.