Tastemaker: Stephane Chamard

Paris-born architect turned interior designer Stephane Chamard‘s interiors and architectural wonders have appeared in Wallpaper, Marie Claire Maison, Elle Decor, Canadian House & Home, and Maison Coté, as well as in books City Style by Piet Swimberghe, and Studio Apartments by James Trulove. His Paris-based business, stephane CHAMARD agency, has handled the architecture, interior design, and decoration of some of the most stunning, livable residential homes in France, England, and Portugal, as well as to commercial projects for clients such as Ralph Lauren, Safari Perfume, and JM Maniatis. Now based in Toronto, Chamard lends his expertise and renowned artistic vision to homes in both Europe and Canada, including such local gems as the Dovercourt House and Coach House.

Tell us a bit about yourself. What should people know?
I’m from Paris and I came here because I fell in love. My husband Phil is a doctor, so it was easier for me to come here than the other way around.

When did you know you wanted to work in interior design?
First, I’m an architect. I was an architect in Paris, but mostly I did private houses. A homeowner asked me what I would do regarding furnishings, so I helped her. She threw a lot of parties, word got around, and that’s how I got clients and became specialized in interior design. I don’t have a creative recipe. Every home should be personal – every picture, frame, and piece of furniture should be personal. Otherwise it’s just a show house. I was well-known for that in Paris, and now that’s what I’m trying to do here.

How do you learn about a client’s needs and desires, even if he or she isn’t aware of them?
I try to interview them for about two hours. Do they like to have parties? Do they like to use the bathroom jointly, or is it more private? Are they TV people? What do they like to do when they travel? I won’t propose a white suede sofa to someone who has two kids and likes to entertain a lot. Everyone thinks they are average, but they are not, and they don’t have to have an average decoration or an average house. Even beige can be exciting – in sable, carmel, ivory it can be very relaxing.

Aside from decorating people’s homes, you have a passion for moving into new places, remodeling them, and then moving onto your next project once you’ve completed your vision. That seems like a lot of work.
I use my house as a playground. In my current home, everything when we arrived was beige. I thought, how can I make it feel bigger? So we removed all the closets. The floor was natural wood and the walls brick. I painted it all white. All the furniture will be like jewels. I will find a chair that’s emerald green. I’m obsessed with the 70s right now. You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a good vintage collection in Toronto.

What’s a helpful piece of home decorating advice?
I like fashion and trends, but not for your house. They will age it immediately. If you think outside the box, your decor will remain original all the time. When you are original, you will find things at better prices, too, obviously because they won’t be in high demand.

What’s your favourite furniture store?
Atomic Design. They specialize in 60s and 70s pieces. And the places I travel.

What else inspires you?
Movies like Thomas Crowne Affair, 2001, Space Odyssey, Dangerous Liaisons.

What are some of your favourite interiors?
Yves Saint Laurent’s house. I was invited for a dinner and it was very special. Everything around me was a museum piece.

What’s your favourite restaurant?
Right now I really like Byblos. The food is amazing and it’s the best service I’ve had in Toronto. The staff all seem involved in the cooking. It’s only 70 seats, which is big but not too big and can stay intimate. I also like Carmen. I’m always up for a good paella.

Let’s get social for a moment. How do we stay up-to-date with you?
stephanechamard.com.