claire bourgeois linglart french interior designer

As an interior designer, Claire BOURGEOIS-LINGLART shapes spaces with timeless elegance.

Claire BOURGEOIS-LINGLART has established herself in interior design through her approach that is both bold and pragmatic. His eclectic tastes, inspired by art, design and memories from his childhood, help create incomparable spaces. Join us to discover Claire’s journey and her vision of interior design.

Can you describe your style?

It’s an elegant, original and timeless mix and match.

I only care a little about keeping up with the times. Everything inspires me! My style has few codes, but ideas and desires change all the time, and I mix with the identity of the places and that of the owners.

I love the charm of useful objects as much as pieces from great designers. I find my pieces both on Leboncoin and at Drouot sales. I like to enter small shops and workshops throughout my travels, which always hide great discoveries. For me, beauty is everywhere!

Can you tell us about your design philosophy and what sets your work apart from others in the industry?

I seek to reveal or awaken a place in each of my projects. This requires a little daring, knowing how to make colours vibrate, make patterns interact, and mix materials. I aim to create spaces that captivate the eye, generate emotion, and resonate with the soul.

Where do you draw inspiration from, and how does it manifest in your design projects?

Everywhere! I attend trade shows, like Salone del Mobile in Milan (which I loved this year); I also find gems in the Emmaüs or the Barters on the island as soon as I see one. And then, as soon as I visit my family, close to the Belgian border, I always spend a day in Ghent, Kortrijk and its surroundings. These cities are very inspiring and full of treasures. The pieces that I spot always find a place in my projects.

I also draw inspiration from memories of my childhood. I grew up in Chartres and spent all my holidays in Aveyron. Daughter of a gardener dad, plants hold an unconditional place in my projects. For me, plants are the finishing touch to every arrangement.

Can you tell us a little about your background and how it has influenced your career in interior design?

Of course, there was CHANEL, where I started my career in the artistic department. My two decades with the house have taught me excellence in finishes and a keen sense of style. Besides, I cultivate this quote from Gabrielle CHANEL: “Fashion goes out of fashion, style never does”. A constant reminder that although fashion evolves, true style remains eternal.

When I was younger, I also had the chance to live in diverse cultural and geographical environments. I lived in Los Angeles for three years. Think of the deliciously regressive shop fronts with pastel facades, the large houses with bay windows and enormous terraces, the abundance of cacti and palm trees, and the slightly folk and bohemian look of the interiors, where light plays a capital role. John Lautner’s Sheats-Goldstein Residence alone encapsulates these memories.

I also spent a year in Zurich, where my attraction to the purity of shapes and steel materials emerged. In Switzerland, design has a unique identity. It favours minimalism, quality, functionality and innovation. USM furniture, an emblem of this modern design, is the perfect example, and I regularly find a place for it in my projects.

I recently visited Luis Baragan’s studio house and the Frida Kahlo Museum while in Mexico City. It is an objective visual and sensory experience for a fan of Frank and raw pigments like me.

There, I returned from a 3-week trip to Japan. I still admire Japanese craftsmanship, especially woodworking, a true ode to gentleness. I am always struck by their sense of perfect gesture and their minimalism. Their creations evoke a light poetry, a feeling of suspended time.

How do you support your clients in their interior decoration projects?

Every customer has their own story. Some need guidance, others need reassurance. Often, my clients are enthusiastic about their renewal project, but their doubts also disconcert them. “Too much choice kills choice” is a dismay expressed by many customers. I allow them to release the pressure. I also remain attentive to their hobbies, which I always want to pay attention to.

How do you prioritize different aspects of a design project, such as budget, functionality and aesthetics?

It’s a delicate balancing act. It starts with a deep understanding of the client’s needs and vision. And functionality always comes first! A space must perfectly fulfil its purpose.

And then, budgetary considerations are essential. I want total transparency with my clients. Depending on the allocated budgets, I offer options that allow you to make informed choices. Ultimately, my job is to provide. I firmly believe that good design can be accessible and achievable, regardless of the dedicated envelope.

Finally, aesthetics plays a central role. My approach combines aesthetics and functionality, ensuring each design element serves a purpose while contributing to harmony.

Ultimately, it is a holistic approach that integrates all of these aspects. For me, it is essential to guarantee the equation of all these parameters. Beyond decoration, this commitment that I make to my clients is vital.

What advice would you give someone wanting to decorate their home on a small budget?

Redecorating your home on a limited budget is doable and a chance to unleash your creativity!

Garage sales and online markets offer treasures that, with a bit of imagination, can become unique pieces.

Invest strategically in essential items like rugs, lighting, plants or mirrors to make a significant impact. Carefully selected accessories such as cushions, curtains or bowls add colour and texture without breaking the bank!

Finally, declutter and rearrange furniture for a more welcoming, spacious feel and explore the transformative potential of paint or wallpaper.

What projects and desires do you have for the coming months and years, Claire?

I love my job. It’s a real emotional roller coaster. Every day is different; every job site is different. I always meet new suppliers, new artisans, and new customers. Of course, it is also stress, but it is stimulating stress. In short, I won’t change anything!

For example, at the moment, I am being consulted to divide a house to make six studios. Still, I am also finishing a 5m2 kitchenette, and next month, I will start the total renovation of a 150 m2 house. Besides that, I bought a small house in Menorca. I’m having a blast, it’s my little rough

Thank you, Claire; talking with someone so passionate about their job is always a pleasure.

More on Claire @ clairebourgeoislinglart.com – IG