At Home in the Office with Michael Aiduss and Houlès

It all started at Villa Kerylos. From the moment designer Michael Aiduss serendipitously discovered the celebrated house in Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the French Riviera, he was enthralled. With a passion for history, architecture and fine craftsmanship, Michael found Kerylos a source of enduring inspiration. So when French heritage brand Houlès tapped him to create their first designer trim collection since the company’s founding in 1928, Kerylos became his muse. Join Susanna and me in Michael’s stunning Montclair, New Jersey design studio to see his inspiration, a peek at the collection and his creative design aesthetic.

In what was once the world’s largest lacrosse netting factory, Michael renovated the large industrial space into a stylish studio for his design firm. With soaring ceilings and expansive windows, the scale is deftly managed so the rooms comfortably simulate living spaces, where both staff and client can be inspired. The airy sample library, below, is an homage to Villa Kerylos with its peristyle console and pillows featuring trims from the collection.

Every space evokes Michael’s love of antiquities, architectural structure and luxurious materials – the designer in his office below.

Inspiration and reference materials abound.

Built in the early 20th century and now part of the French Ministry of Culture, Villa Kerylos is an ode to ancient Greece in all its glory. Combining the best of this classical civilization with the modern comfort of belle époque villas, the estate echoed Michael’s sophisticated and worldly approach to design.

From broad gestures to the minutest of details, the use of scale, pattern and materials at Kerylos all resonated deeply with Michael who magically translated its many motifs into his exceptional collection. Houlès then interpreted it with the elegant and exacting craftsmanship that the house is renowned for.

Like Kerylos, the collection represents classic beauty, modern sophistication and understated glamour. And as Michael has so deftly proved, trim can elevate design in many unexpected and creative ways (his update of Houlés’ Paris showroom for the collection debut below).

all photos by Stacey Bewkes for Quintessence

So thank you Michael, for welcoming us into your inspiring design studio and Houlès, for sponsoring and sharing your exquisite collaboration, craftsmanship and French savoir faire! We are so inspired!