In interior design, it isn't easy to achieve anything completely original. Thousands of years of history inform the design choices we make today – often without us even realizing it. But for Jouffre, the specialist atelier known for high-end upholstered furniture, interior design's past deserves to be celebrated.
With L'écho, a showroom displayed at New York Design Week, Jouffre has curated something truly original. Combining the influences and signposts of design's past with an optimistic view of design's future, the upholstery house has painted a gorgeous vision of design's present – and every detail is immaculate.
To hear more about L'écho and sustainable interior design, Homes & Gardens sat down with Taylor Scott Ross, Jouffre's design director. Here's what he had to say, plus a room-by-room tour of the stunning space.
A look inside 'L'écho'
'At Jouffre, history influences our daily work, drawing from French upholstery traditions,' Taylor tells H&G. 'We innovate by learning from the past, aiming to keep craft traditions thriving against industrial efficiency. Suddenly, the echoes that are bouncing through our exhibition are so much more than relationships between objects – they are exchanges between historic materials, iconic design vernaculars, and neo-traditional methods.'
Taylor describes the metaphor of an echo as a 'Wayfinder to explore space and time,' and each individual piece within the showroom embodies this idea. The visual depiction of an echo appears throughout the display as well, taking on multiple forms. In this corner of the space, a 'Cybele Dance' Rome Chair – designed by Combray Design and featuring textiles by Rogers & Goffigon – takes inspiration from art history, incorporating intricate hand embroidery.
As much as Jouffre's work is grounded in the past, it's forward-thinking too, particularly when it comes to making sustainable decisions. Taylor shares that 'recognizing cyclical design trends' makes this decision-making easier – by noting what has made an impression and resurfaced years later, Jouffre can lean into the design ideas that have true staying power.
In this case, the atelier was 'specifically inspired by the aesthetics that occupied the design zeitgeist during the mainstreaming of PU foams and which form languages were unlocked as a result of working with foam,' says Taylor.
'Partnering with Enkev, we use their eco-friendly materials to create modern silhouettes that show sustainability can be chic, sophisticated, and whimsical. Design is always referential; being transparent about our roots and intentional in our direction allows us to push the envelope,' he continues.
Nature was also a significant point of reference for Jouffre, and the design house's partnership with Enkev is just one outdoors-inspired touch to be found throughout. With 'a rich palette of wooden structures and organic textiles, complemented by moments of greenery,' natural materials define the showroom's aesthetic, even across contrasting rooms.
'For instance, the "Sybele Dance" armchair, embroidered by Combray Design, is nestled beneath an Anita cane tree. Inspired by the gardens of Pompeii, Aurélie and Laure of Combray Design merged their love for art history and poetic sensibility to create embroidery depicting dynamic figures dancing among Mediterranean foliage,' says Taylor.
'Using renewable materials is crucial for us and the interior design industry in 2024 because it aligns with our commitment to sustainability and ethical practices,' says Taylor. 'For our interior designer clients, providing bespoke, high-end work with tailored comfort is essential. We believe in adding value by investing in the future of our global community.'
The Echo Bed, designed by Nikki Bregman for Jouffre and pictured above, exudes textured character, adding depth and visual interest to the room. Doing far more than your average headboard, its plush design is made from Musica fabric from Sedallo, oak, Cocolok, Taillok, and wool from Enkev. Its nature-inspired color palette pairs beautifully with a deep and moody shade grounding the walls.
'As a leader in the upholstery industry, we have a significant platform to define standards and raise the bar for environmental responsibility. In a world already filled with excess, our goal is to create beauty and joy with conscientiousness,' he continues.
In some ways, hand-crafted furniture and decor are things of the past, making way for mass-produced, store-bought items. But Jouffre proves that intricate, artisan-made pieces still hold a place in the design world.
'The heart and soul of Jouffre lies in the artisans on our team and our close-knit community of skilled craftsmen. Guided by the belief that "everything is possible," we strive to achieve the sublime and the impossible, keeping our designs fresh and innovative,' says Taylor.
Each item featured in the showroom was made with the utmost attention to detail. The Cage Sofa, pictured above, was designed by Studio Giancarlo Valle, and its 'woven oak structure' was 'meticulously fabricated by Souchet's woodworkers,' says Taylor. Made with alpaca fur, white oak, teak, and Enkev wool, the aesthetics are just the beginning of the collaboration's craftsmanship. Sat just beside the sofa and clad in white and yellow fabric is the Echo Chair – a detail designed by Taylor himself.
'I designed this statement piece using the bold "Sophia Rose" handwoven textile from rruka, and it was brought to life through the collaboration of dedicated artisans who prototyped and fabricated its complex frame, hand-wove the fabric, integrated innovative materials from Enkev and stitched-by-hand,' he says.
Each section of the Jouffre showroom takes on its own unique color palette – each neutral, yet still quite bold. While the bedroom feels moody and characterful, a small alcove around the corner incorporates a lively warm hue and floral arrangements. Taylor shares that 'serenity and timelessness led the way' when the team was developing the showroom's color scheme. 'Earth tones and dusty hues' create the illusion of 'strolling through sand dunes and spotting radiant prairie sunflowers punctuating the landscape,' he continues.
'In our showroom, we use complementary materials and shapes to draw the eye. For instance, the warm walnut and quartzite of the Pina Coffee Table, the energetic "Sophia Rose" textile and natural wenge on the Echo Chair, and the subtle metallic accents of the Dormus Sconces create a harmonious, engaging environment,' says Taylor. 'Balancing color and texture with thoughtful accents ensures a dynamic yet cohesive space where color enhances rather than overwhelms the design.'
'The curation of our showroom and the design of the new pieces radiate a sense of elevated whimsy,' says Taylor. 'Our goal is to create future-minded work that people can envision living with, embracing speculative design to inspire contemplation and projection into the future. This approach allows us to blend the past and the future, resulting in aesthetics that have a space-age undertone rooted in postmodernism, solar punk, arts and crafts, and French Americana.'
Walking through the Jouffre showroom is meant to feel like a journey, with 'complementary material duos and sweeping, curved shapes' guiding guests throughout. Taylor notes that the Dormus Sconces by Studio Luddite, placed on the main showroom's wall, the Pina Coffee Table by Gregory Beson, combining natural wood and stone, and the Kansas Lamp by Luke Malaney, crafted with ask and copper tones, 'all showcase nontraditional shapes that add intrigue and depth to the vignettes.'
'These elements not only enhance the visual appeal but also invite visitors to engage with each piece on a deeper level, fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity,' Taylor concludes.
Jouffre's showroom proves that the most successful designs reference the past while keeping a careful eye on the future. Hand-crafted, sustainable pieces are Jouffre's bread and butter, and will play a key role in keeping interior design thriving through 2024 and beyond.
