Like mother, like daughter — spotlight at the home of talented object designer
Today, we’re having a word with Clémentine, an observant design enthusiast, an artistic director and a half of mattina moderna studio, which she runs and develops along with her mother Catherine.
Take a peek at Clémentine’s joyful apartment, recently rounded off by Ubi Armchair in beige; learn about fun she finds in a decorate-redecorate circle, and discover her styling golden rules – all in this captivating conversation.
What exactly is mattina moderna?
mattina moderna is a French slow design studio based in Nice and founded in 2020 by a mother-daughter duo. mattina moderna creates collectible objects in very limited series. Inscribing its creative process in a sustainable and digital approach, the studio creates its pieces in 3D models and then handcrafts them to order. All works it offers are custom-made.
We can’t stop ourselves from asking if there’s any story behind the brand’s origins. Can you reveal how it all started?
After 10 years in Paris I felt like slowing down, getting back to my roots, and developing a more personal project. I was already working in design and have always been self-employed. Back in my hometown in 2020, I was working on a project I created several years ago, while nourishing the desire to start from scratch.
My mother also had a job, and she always dreamed of having a place of her own, to cultivate her creativity. She loves to hunt for beautiful vintage pieces and rework them to give them a second life. So, it was quite natural that after a few months we started up mattina moderna together. First by offering upcycled pieces, then by meeting local artisans and working hand in hand with them to create unique pieces.
Last June, we finally launched our very first limited-edition capsule. We are now ready to launch our 3rd collection! It's insane!
It goes without saying that you are all for interiors with character. Your home is filled with bold icons of contemporary design. Do you have any advice to anyone who wants to introduce some more originality to their home?
Recently, a friend told me that I am a maximalist. I confess I never thought of myself that way. I've always devoured decorating magazines, spent hours on Pinterest or Instagram pinning references. I like to create strong visual universes. And I recently realised that it was impossible for me to stick to one particular style.
I love the conviviality of English cottages, the character of Memphis design, the lines of the modernist movement, the power of details in a renaissance palazzo. But above all I like a place to be warm and to reflect the identity of its owner.
Everything is usually based on a colour palette and textures. They are the starting point of any reflection. Then you have to listen to your instinct and follow your desires to create a unique and harmonious decor (for yourself).
Recently you’ve finished your big home renovation project. Rearranging the interior from scratch seems like an exciting journey! Could you tell us about the process of styling your new living room?
The key information is that I am renting. There are always limited possibilities to personalise a flat you don't own. But I have a lot of imagination and I'm not afraid of undoing a project a few months after finishing it (I move a lot, haha).
When I moved to my new flat, I wanted to change things up. My old living room was very colourful but quite minimalistic. This time I wanted something fuller and more eclectic. A sort of cabinet of curiosities. And I must say that the choice of a strong wallpaper was the basis of everything.
I love the conviviality of English cottages, the character of Memphis design, the lines of the modernist movement, the power of details in a renaissance palazzo. But above all I like a place to be warm and to reflect the identity of its owner.
Clémentine, creative director of mattina moderna
I wanted to create a gallery wall by hanging all sorts of things on it. It's a bit like the centerpiece of this living room. I then articulated the living spaces around it by mixing materials and colours. I like the contrast: an aluminum side table with raw lines to accompany the cosy and elegant curves of my Ubi armchair, a glass coffee table that disappears into the space and highlights the objects that are placed there, a brutalist wooden dining area composed around a coloured bookshelf. Mixing vintage with ultra-modern. It's all about balance. You have to enjoy mixing elements, take risks and not be afraid of rearranging spaces regularly until you find your ideal combination.
What’s the design piece that you’d be ready to welcome in your home without a second thought?
Terrazza DS-1025 sofa from De Sede by Ubald Klug, 1973 – without any doubt! It represents everything I love about design: originality, utility, comfort. I like its curves, its timelessness, and the fact that it is modular and therefore adaptable to any interior, from a smallest living room to the largest spaces. Isn't that the secret of a successful design? The perfect combination in my opinion.
