When patterns dream of childhood: Meet Julie and Mélissa
How did the meeting with Charlie Crane go?
Julie: In addition to our Season Paper brand, we have a pattern design studio where we create print collections for brands. So we've been seeing each other at trade shows for a long time with Thomas (Editor's note: the founder of Charlie Crane).
Thomas: Season Paper is a brand that I have admired since the beginning. I have always been sensitive to their universe, both poetic and graphic, which resonates perfectly with our vision at Charlie Crane. We share the same taste for beautiful materials, the requirement for responsible production, as well as the ambition to create products made to last. This collaboration naturally emerged as a meeting of shared aspirations and values.
How did you adapt and choose your design for Charlie Crane furniture?
Julie: After long discussions and more than 10 years of Season Paper patterns, we finally made the choice of a timeless and poetic pattern, Movement. We reworked it in autumnal colors, deep and soft but with character, a warm and natural brown/fawn. It is ideal for brightening, bringing warmth and light to a neutral and bright room. It is easily combined with a wide range of colors, whether they are bright, explosive or pastel and subtle. We wanted a design that wasn't childish or too figurative. It leaves room for the imaginary, it can exist in any interior.
Melissa: We wanted a print that you never get tired of, all round and especially with the “hand-drawn” paw of Season Paper. A print that can easily be integrated into a modern interior. This Mouvement print was very successful in our collections, so we naturally wanted it to be placed on a nice Charlie Crane collection.
If you had to decorate a newborn bedroom, what would you do?
Julie: Neutral and light tones for light, natural and soft materials, vintage furniture. Newborn babies make me want to clean everything up and go back to basics. But babies grow up fast! And there, color can be invited cheerfully with very colorful objects and rooms.
Melissa: Oh it's a hot topic for me. I want to recreate a small protective cocoon for a newborn, so that he can discover the world gently. The choice of materials is therefore very important, soft cotton, fleece, light wood, all rather refined. We take advantage of it at the beginning. This is the moment when we can really decide on the look of the room... before the Snow Queen takes over against our will!
In terms of decoration, do you prefer mix and match or monocolor/monoprint?
Thomas: The more time passes, the more I appreciate the audacity in decoration: the mixtures of patterns and colors inspire me enormously. But when my children were small, I favored soft, bright tones, and a soothing, almost minimalist atmosphere. It is also this cocoon and refined spirit that animates Charlie Crane. Each time, our collaborations allow us to explore new horizons, by offering more colorful or more arty prints, such as those in this capsule with Season Paper, a nod to the universe of Henri Matisse. It is always a great opportunity to add a more assertive touch to our universe while remaining true to our identity.
Julie: So it's all or nothing! Either no print at all, or I don't know how to stop. I draw so many patterns and I have so many around me that after a while it stings my eyes. So I need quiet spaces in the house. But what I like about patterns is being able to combine them, juxtapose them, see the colors mingle and vibrate together. One pattern alone is not enough for me.
Melissa: It depends on the use! I would rather say mix and match for children's clothes to create crazy looks, on the other hand, in decoration I don't mix so much, I like the idea of a flagship print associated with beautiful solid colors and well-thought-out combinations of materials.
As an expert in pretty things, how would you advise combining children's decor and decor for adults?
Julie: We don't really have any decor... It's more about materials, light and a few well-chosen pieces of furniture, between vintage and iconic pieces of design. And while we are quite minimalist in our choices, this does not really apply to our children! Finally, basically our children's rooms are rather simple, with white walls, ecru carpet and antique furniture. So that they give free rein to their fantasy and creativity! This results in rooms full of primary colors and designs stuck on the walls, where wooden objects and flashy toys of all kinds coexist. There are also works (lithographs, photographs, drawings) and light fixtures that were in other rooms in the house and are now in their rooms. Not to mention their toys that often land in the living room. In the end, there is no real distinction between children's decor and decor for adults, everything ends up mixing and it's quite lively and joyful.
Melissa: I would say that you need to create a fairly “neutral” base that can easily evolve over time and tastes that change quickly. The children's rooms (and the parents' living room) are quickly overrun with toys, colors and clutter. It's cool but it can make your head spin a bit. The main thing is to have practical and well-thought-out storage everywhere to quickly lighten up when it overflows! And then do not think too much in terms of decorating adults and children, simply choose the right materials, colors and shapes to create a beautiful overall harmony. Also, depending on the personality of the children we do not always want the same things, decorating when we are parents is a constant work in progress.
What other Charlie Crane creations can we mix with in this collaboration? (H3)
Thomas: The Season Paper Movement print fits perfectly into our existing palette, especially thanks to its camel, which uses the same tone as our collection. If you love the KUKO x Season Paper bassinet (my favorite collab!) , you can easily combine it with the LEVO deckchair in camel version for a softer and harmonious look. For a brighter touch, the print also goes very well with our nude, a warm and deep color.
What are your favorite Charlie Crane products?
Julie: The LEVO deckchair. For me, it has become an iconic piece of design. Too bad I no longer have children old enough to have a deckchair because I can imagine it perfectly in my living room.
Melissa: Team transat LEVO here too is really Charlie Crane's signature. I really like its very clean base and the fact that you can change the upholstery along the way!
Thomas, what Season Paper wallpaper would you choose for an elegant, minimalist, cozy bedroom and children's bedroom?
For an elegant bedroom, I would opt for mother-of-pearl wallpaper, inspired by art deco. For a minimalist decor, I would go for graphic wallpaper, like the Season Paper x Heju collab. Looking for a cocooning touch? I love the birds wallpaper, which is one of my favorites from the Season Paper collection. It makes you want to stay at home to admire it. For the kids' bedroom, I love their dachshunds wallpaper, which is both fun and not boring.
The Charlie Crane Team
