 Breadcrumbs

  



   ![A Cool Brand Founder & Author Talks Style, Inspiration & More](https://media.sheerluxe.com/F3a1dRAT8eGbda75wm130iC37tE=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2023%2F04%2Fwhat-shapes-my-style-thumb.jpeg?itok=pH9Z6fes)

  

 

 



 

  Photography: JESSICA ANTOLA 

 

 

 

[Interior Design](/home/interior-design)

 /  17 April 2023  

#  A Cool Brand Founder &amp; Author Talks Style, Inspiration &amp; More  


Ajiri Aki is the founder of Paris-based lifestyle brand Madame de la Maison. Now, ahead of the publication of her highly-anticipated book ‘Joie: A Parisian's Guide to Celebrating the Good Life’, we sat down with her to talk about what shapes her style and where she finds inspiration.  


ByGeorgina Blaskey

  /  

[ Save To My Favourites ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/36256)

 

  Photography: JESSICA ANTOLA 

 

 

 

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

 



 

 

 

 

 ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/aWi9yOyagI8JZPCKtnQ9lcuNQE4=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2023%2F04%2Fajiri-aki-author-photo-credit-jessica-antola.png?itok=w2TqJsni)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**I’m most inspired by the great design of the past**. That said, it’s all about finding ways to ground it in the present – so you could say I lean towards a slightly heavy mix of antiques and contemporary design. Also, when I moved to Paris after graduate school and decorated my first home, I started looking for things I loved and knew would bring me joy. My approach slowed down and it was then I realised I wasn’t easily swayed by trends. I much prefer to take my time in finding the perfect piece.

**I’ve been design-minded since childhood.** I’ve always been attracted to decorative objects and spaces and luckily for me, my dad let me paint a mural on my wall when I was in the eighth grade. I have such strong memories of choosing things most people would have thought were over-the-top. I’d say my mother was the first person who introduced me to the concept of design – so she’s been a huge influence on me. In the 1980s she had this amazing walk-in closet and I loved to hide in it and look through her clothes, jewellery and shoes. She loved colour and dragged me to flea markets to teach me that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. She had an eye and I slowly developed mine, too. Today, my own daughter inspires me a lot – I admire her curiosity and her confidence to try different things. I wish I still have the eyes and mind of a ten-year-old.

 

 After WORKING IN FASHION, I studied the decorative arts to dive more into textiles and fashion history. We used a methodology called MATERIAL CULTURE - you look at what’s happening in a certain culture when, and the materials that emerge as a result. It is a FASCINATING WAY TO LEARN.   
 

 



 

 

 ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/PAbUjgcFjN8EBl4-zh8hQ6mIYr8=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2023%2F04%2Fmadame-de-la-maison-small-landscape.png?itok=WPh5p1sM)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**During my fashion studies,** it was the styles and silhouettes of the post-war years at Christian Dior and Madame Grès that dominated my thoughts. The shapes, the silhouettes, the techniques… I am still so moved by the work from that specific period. Also, studying fashion helped me notice the spaces that fashionable people inhabited – which is what developed my interest in interiors. After working in fashion, I studied the decorative arts to dive more into textiles and fashion history. I learned about design history, cultural and societal history, architecture, antiquity, ceramics, interiors, and we used a methodology called material culture. You look at what’s happening in a certain culture when, and the materials that emerge as a result. It is a fascinating way to learn.

**I have a real love affair with France.** I live in Paris and love to visit all the different regions – there are plenty I still need to discover. My favourite areas are Provence and the Cote d’Azur. The south of France really inspires me, as it’s home to so many expats and creatives. I think it’s the sun, the ocean, and the relaxed vibe that makes me it the perfect place to clear my thoughts and find fresh inspiration.

 

 My approach SLOWED DOWN and it was then I realised I wasn’t easily swayed by trends. I much prefer to TAKE MY TIME in finding the PERFECT PIECE.  
 

 



 

 

**My one obsession is antique wine glasses and champagne coupes.** I’ve become fascinated with finding different styles and shapes. I love a round bowl, square bowl, shallow bowls, thin stems, bulbous stems, coloured glass… I cannot stop buying them. I love the idea that when people come to your house, everyone will have a different glass.

**The book that made the biggest impact on me is *[Awakening to A New Earth](https://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Earth-LIFE-CHANGING-otherworldly-Breakfast/dp/0141039418)*** by Eckhart Tolle**.** I first read it in 2008 when I felt very unsure about what my purpose was. There was a moment when I was listening to it on audio book walking around Paris when he said something about why we hold on to baggage from our past despite trying to live in the present. I bought the book and started underlining it like crazy. He changed my world and made me realise how much mental and vocal space I was giving to things I didn’t like about my life. I barely spoke or thought about what I did want, so I changed that immediately and slowly, my life started to change. Next, I’ll be reading *[The Idea of You](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Idea-You-scorching-Richard-obsessed-ebook/dp/B09165PCZ4)* by Robinne Lee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/PlaTgsQillotMQxq6vmuqm8thy8=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2023%2F04%2Fmadame-de-la-maison-ajiri-aki-full-bleed.png?itok=gwiNCCj0)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**I have so many favourite restaurants but** **two current favourites are** [Le Train Bleu](https://www.le-train-bleu.com/en/) and [Le Square Trousseau](https://www.squaretrousseau.com/). At home in the week, I like to cook simple meals (protein and veggies or pasta) and try to get more creative at the weekend. My family loves it when I make oxtail stew, osso bucco, boeuf bourguignon, and bo saam.

**I am a keen follower of Vanesa Grall** **from** [**Messy Nessy Chic**](https://www.messynessychic.com/) – I am love how she thinks and observes cultures, people and spaces, and then makes very thoughtful commentaries about it all. She connects the past and the present in the most intriguing way.

[**Supply Showroom**](https://www.supplyshowroom.com/) **is one of my favourite places to shop and find inspiration.** I really admire the way the team scours the market for prints before hosting events to educate and inspire the designers they love. This desire to inspire visually and emotionally is very inspirational in itself.

[**Aline Asmar D’Amman**](https://www.instagram.com/alineasmardamman/?hl=en) **is one of my favourite designers.** I love her work but I also find her approach to work and life so refreshing. She knows how to appreciate and work with historical references while staying very modern at the same time.

**If I could claim one brand for my own it would be** [**Buly**](https://buly1803.com/en-gb)**.** I love the ethos behind the brand and think Ramdane Touhami and Victoire de Taillac are so clever in their approach to branding. I’m equally moved by the product, package design and the experience I have in the stores.

*Ajiri’s upcoming book* [*Joie: A Parisian's Guide to Celebrating the Good Life*](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Joie-Parisians-Guide-Celebrating-Good/dp/0593236572) *published by Clarkson Potter is out on 18th April. Joie Copyright ©2023 Ajiri Aki Photograph copyright ©2023 by Jessica Antola. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Random House.*

 

 

 ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/dmlaFS1uBBviEyumuTcQB7WWTK4=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2023%2F04%2Fajiri-aki-1_0.png?itok=MFJ-vJpx)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

## *more from*

### Home



 [View All Home](/home) 

  ![36 Thoughtful Gifts For Hosts](https://media.sheerluxe.com/S_4tCw6hN0zqtqan-Cd2pErdqPM=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F11%2Fsl-gold-171125-site-assets-gifts-for-hosts-hero-thumb_0.jpg?itok=tJID5djp)

  

 

 



 

 [Home](/gold/home)/

  17 November 2025  

 [##  36 Thoughtful Gifts For Hosts  


 

 ](/home/36-thoughtful-gifts-for-hosts) 

 

 

 

  ![What’s New In Interiors This Month ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/5j8G8wcYowu9CayEHfB4gnA3OcQ=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F12%2Fsl-email-031225-whats-new-in-interiors.png?itok=CD8KZ2FA)

  

 

 



 

[Interior Design](/home/interior-design)

/

  03 December 2025  

 [##  What’s New In Interiors This Month  


 

 ](/home/interior-design/whats-new-in-interiors-this-month-12) 

 

 

 

  ![How To Elevate Your Kitchen Without Spending A Fortune ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/mlnEFxIEojiZFk5uMUuc1XBsv04=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F11%2Fsl-site-assets-111125-thumbhero-budget-kitchens.jpg?itok=CCQJjxoK)

  

 

 



 

[Interior Design](/home/interior-design)

/

  11 November 2025  

 [##  How To Elevate Your Kitchen Without Spending A Fortune  


 

 ](/home/interior-design/kitchen-updates) 

 

 

 

  ![What’s New Interiors This Month](https://media.sheerluxe.com/tPMjnoxayfjsDByHBpCDpNHOEz0=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F11%2Fsl-site-assets-101125-thumb-hero-whats-new.jpg?itok=3vKnNmuc)

  

 

 



 

[Interior Design](/home/interior-design)

/

  10 November 2025  

 [##  What’s New Interiors This Month  


 

 ](/home/interior-design/whats-new-interiors-this-month) 

 

 

 

  ![How To Get This Important Design Detail Just Right ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/5vzWrRdq3q8fo8iAuTAuedqLCnk=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F11%2Fsl-031125-site-assets-thumbhero-curtains.jpg?itok=BYd0CHxJ)

  

 

 



 

[Interior Design](/home/interior-design)

/

  03 November 2025  

 [##  How To Get This Important Design Detail Just Right  


 

 ](/home/interior-design/how-to-get-this-important-design-detail-just-right) 

 

 

 

  ![8 Interior Designers, 8 Dream Schemes](https://media.sheerluxe.com/KLiY24EaKsEOW_0w5uaQm4nBpiM=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fsl-site-assets-301025-thumb-the-snug-2.jpg?itok=SV0izgP3)

  

 

 



 

[Interior Design](/home/interior-design)

/

  30 October 2025  

 [##  8 Interior Designers, 8 Dream Schemes  


 

 ](/home/interior-design/8-interior-designers-8-dream-schemes-2) 

 

 

 

  ![ How To Make Banquette Seating Work In Your Home](https://media.sheerluxe.com/AaNqVtzduCv0XTzNHHtt2_yMHIg=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fsl-site-assets-221025-thumb-hero-banquette.jpg?itok=7Kk0j3Bw)

  

 

 



 

[Interior Design](/home/interior-design)

/

  22 October 2025  

 [##  How To Make Banquette Seating Work In Your Home  


 

 ](/home/interior-design/how-to-make-banquette-seating-work-in-your-home) 

 

 

 

  ![Everything Our Senior Homes & Interiors Editor Is Loving This Month](https://media.sheerluxe.com/hupUN1BxTgUVgMLZuA9KxjDX4xk=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fportrait-whats-new-in-interiors.png?itok=Xu5MzGKu)

  

 

 



 

[Interior Design](/home/interior-design)

/

  07 October 2025  

 [##  Everything Our Senior Homes &amp; Interiors Editor Is Loving This Month  


 

 ](/home/interior-design/everything-our-senior-homes-interiors-editor-is-loving-this-month-0) 

 

 

 

  ![Interiors Trend Watch: Brown](https://media.sheerluxe.com/b7yBttfG847s2imwciM8E48wfZs=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fsl-site-assets-021025-thumb-hero-brown-interiors-trend.jpg?itok=KL3_f5jJ)

  

 

 



 

[Interior Design](/home/interior-design)

/

  02 October 2025  

 [##  Interiors Trend Watch: Brown  


 

 ](/home/interior-design/brown-home-accessories) 

 

 

 

  ![Interiors Trend Watch: Bold Marble](https://media.sheerluxe.com/8dQjcfbTmtHwlsRkeWjQu4lq_1I=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fsl-site-assets-180925-thumb-hero-bold-marble.jpg?itok=AmF3QPEo)

  

 

 



 

[Interior Design](/home/interior-design)

/

  18 September 2025  

 [##  Interiors Trend Watch: Bold Marble  


 

 ](/home/interior-design/interiors-trend-watch-bold-marble) 

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 



  

 Share This Story

 [Facebook

 ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?display=popup&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com&u=https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fhome%2Finterior-design%2Fcool-brand-founder-author-talks-style-inspiration-more&t=A+Cool+Brand+Founder+%26+Author+Talks+Style%2C+Inspiration+%26+More) [ Pinterest

 ](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fhome%2Finterior-design%2Fcool-brand-founder-author-talks-style-inspiration-more&description=A+Cool+Brand+Founder+%26+Author+Talks+Style%2C+Inspiration+%26+More&media=) [ E-mail

 ](<mailto:?subject=A Cool Brand Founder & Author Talks Style, Inspiration & More&body=Hi%0A%0AI&#039;ve just read this article https://sheerluxe.com/home/interior-design/cool-brand-founder-author-talks-style-inspiration-more and thought you might like it, too.%0A%0ASheerLuxe is your in-the-know friend keeping you up to date with everything new in fashion, beauty, culture, lifestyle %26 home.%0A%0AYou can sign up for the FREE daily newsletter here. https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsignup%3Fseed%3Dsharing%26utm_source%3DWebsite%26utm_medium%3DSL%26utm_campaign%3DEmail%26utm_id%3DSharing>) 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at <info@sheerluxe.com>.

 

 

 

  ##  Fashion. Beauty. Culture. Life. Home 

###  Delivered to your inbox, daily 

 [Subscribe](/signup)