interiors monthly france supplement frebruary 2009

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C A R P E T S F U R N I T U R E R U G S B E D S L A M I N A T E U P H O L S T E R Y V I N Y L

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Who are we?G

Informing, representing, supportingG

The GEM, a group of French furniture exporters supportsFrench furniture professionals in their moves to expand internationally


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FRANCE

C A R P E T S F U R N I T U R E R U G S B E D S L A M I N A T E U P H O L S T E R Y V I N Y L

Ubifrance Mission Economique in the UK is a team of 25professionals dedicated to assisting French companies intheir development in the UK market. We mainly focus ontrade development missions to find relevant partners, newdistributors and identify customers.

Our programme this year includes:• A French Design Forum showcasing 15 French artisans

specialising in the luxury segment of interior design. Weare also organising a seminar on French and Britishdesign with top international designers and renownedspeakers from the Industry.

• A French pavilion on 100% Design. We will present 10bespoke French designers. The event will offer a uniqueenvironment in which British entrepreneurs can discoveroriginal products and find new business partners.

UBIFRANCE, the French Agency for international businessdevelopment, helps French companies to expand theirbusiness abroad.

In connection with the commercial departments of theFrench Embassies abroad, UBIFRANCE offers a completerange of products and services to support Frenchcompanies in their development abroad :• information products, consultancy services, market

research to work out their development strategy on aninternational level

• promotional activities to favour partnerships withcompanies abroad

France has a long tradition of design andcreativity in the furniture sector. Ubifrance-Mission Economique in the United Kingdom ispleased to co-operate with Interiors’ Monthlyand to promote 6 French companies designingand manufacturing their products in France, 2of whom are currently looking for UKdistributors or agents

Clement & LiseM. Vincent LetourneuxZA Le Borage49710 Le Longeron - FranceTel: 0033 2 4146 5829http://[email protected]@motard-meubles.com

FourrierM. Lambert Alison12 rue des Serves01340 Bresse -FranceUK Agent: Val Concept DesignMs Valerie CouturesTel: 0033 5 5642 1489Mob: 0796 318 [email protected]@fourrier.netwww.fourrier.net

GautierM. Martyn LincolnUnit 4, Curo ParkSt Albans AL2 2DDTel: 01727 877 [email protected]@gautier.co.ukwww.gautier.co.uk

GEM28 bis,avenue Daumesnil75012 Paris - FranceTel: 0033 1 4468 [email protected]

J BastiatM. Alain BastiatRoute d'Orthez40700 [email protected] Agent: Val Concept DesignMs Valerie CouturesTel: 0033 5 5642 1489Mob: 0796 318 [email protected]

Labarere62 chemin Vignolles64300 [email protected] Agent: Val Concept DesignMs Valerie CouturesTel: 0033 5 5642 1489Mob: 0796 318 [email protected]

La BoisselerieM. Christophe VitardZone Artisanale85590 Treize-Ventswww.laboissellerie.frUK Agent: LBA InteriorsM. Arnaud LebarillecMob: [email protected]

Contacts

For more information Please contact:Sandra Pini - Marketing AdviserTel: 0207 316 [email protected] Embassy - Economic & Trade Department21 Grosvenor Place, London SW1X 7HU



France

This is exactly what Clément & Lise hasdone, giving new life to traditionalFrench design.

Founded in 2007, it has sought tocombine the traditional skills of cabinetmakers with up to date design andpatina.

It has employed a collection of femaledesigners with the specific aim ofappealing to women, especially thosekeen on having something a bit differentin their home

‘Based on French historical references,the style has clearly been revisited tomake it trendier. Each model is thoughtas a jewel that is intended to be amasterpiece of home decoration,’ saysthe company.

Special care is given to each product interms of design, patina and functions.Designed and finished in France, themodels are made in Europe mostly in

solid cherry and beech.Focusing on creation and technological

innovation, new models are introducedon a regular basis, mainly at majorfurniture trade exhibitions.

Clément & Lise has taken part inMaison & Objet in September andMeuble Paris in January. Within the nextfew years it also hopes to exhibit atmajor international furniture fairs overthe world.

The company says its designs – aimedat the upper end of the market – aresuitable for both traditional andcontemporary homes, with one, orperhaps two pieces, being used as thecentrepiece of the room.

Thanks to the success of the range,Clément & Lise is a fast growing brand.Already present in the US, Russia, Dubaiand most continental Europeancountries, Clément & Lise has set itssights on the UK, where it is confident itstarget end consumer has been unaffectedby the recession.

It hopes to supply one major retailer inevery large UK town.

CLEMENT & LISENEW FOR OLDTaking a traditional look andgive it a contemporary twist

ParisMajeste La Muse de Versailles


6 Interiors Monthly France supplement

France

BASTIATTRADITIONJ Bastiat has been makingchairs for two generations

Located in the Bressearea, the Fourrier housegathers craftsmen whouse materials, patinas andoils according to yourpersonal taste resulting infurniture which peopleare be proud to have intheir home.The collection includes

units for virtually allsituations, includingcorners, straight, curved,centre units and surved.

‘Know-how andcraftsmanship adapted tocontempory settings; the artof carpentry and upholsteryare perpetuated,’ is how JBastiat describes its proudtraditions and its future.Today, tried and trusted

techniques are combinedwith an ever-wideningchoice of colours with top of the rangetextiles from international fabric makers.The finest materials of the cabinet

maker, such as cherry and walnut, glowand mellow over the years.The workmanship of the chairs

creates a unique, harmonious piece

which blends equally well with periodfurniture as with contemporary design.The company offers an enormous

collection of dining chairs in many styles,along with carvers.It also has a dozen upholstery designs,

all with showwood frames.

FOURRIERHOUSE OFTRADITIONSince 1923, Fourrier has been perpetuating itsfascination for display cabinets.



France

LABAREREMODERNISMSince 1870, the family ownedcompany has been making furniture

Since its launch almost 140 years agoLabarere has specialized in making furniturefor the home.Today it offers a wide variety of products

across 13 ranges.Among the latest, is Heritage. This solid

range covers the dining room, bedroom aswell as a large occasional offering.Marie Antoinette is a Louis XV & Louis XVI

period inspired collection offering a choiceof lacquered fronts in an antique woodfinish or bright colours with solid tops anddrawers.Pieces include nine drawer commodes,

coffee tables, two-door drinks cabinet, desk,consol table, buffet and dressing tables.

Les Parisiennes takes a more cheekyapproach with several chests of drawersclearly influenced by the flowing curvesof Folie Bergere skirts.The collection was one of the ranges

on show at Meuble Paris last month,drawing admiring looks from visitors forits freshness.Maintenon is more classically French in

style, covering dining room, displaycabinets and occassional pieces. It has achoice of antiqued finishes.The company has been working with

well-known designers for a number ofyears and today Jean-Claude and his wifeMuriel Labarere continue the adventure

of juggling between tradition andmodernism.All the current collections are a

reflection of the soul of the family, whosehistory is so intertwined with the makingof furniture.The furniture inspired by the styles of

Louis XV and Louis XVI is the essence ofFrench charm and has a loyal customerfollowing.The styles are enhanced through close

collaboration with designers such asDidier Versavel and Philippe Di Meo.The company’s strength lies in its

choice of finishes, with more than 20available.

Labarere has been working with renowneddesigners for a number of years. The focus of thelatest collection ‘ Les Parisiennes’ by Didier

Versavel is modernity and femininity.

Such collaborations allows Labarere to expand itshorizons by combining tradition with modernity.

Contact: [email protected] www.labarere.com tel: 0033 (0) 559 678041



France

Gautier is one of the best-knownfurniture brands in the world. Thecompany started its operations back in1958 in France and over the last 50 yearshas attained a global footprint withsatisfied customers in every corner ofthe world.The company says its biggest resource

is its dedicated and talented team of1,050 employees worldwide who designand make Gautier furniture to exactingquality standards.The vision of the company is to

anticipate consumer needs and deliverworldclass contemporary furnituresolutions. This has been possible throughits strong commitment to designinnovation and creativity on one side andthe adoption of high end manufacturingtechnology and stringent qualitystandards on the other.This dual focus on technology and

design creativity hasallowed Gautier to beat the forefront of theglobal furniture marketand customers respectthe brand for its

contemporary andinnovative styling andthe impeccablequality standards ofits furniture.The international

Gautier networkenables the brand tobe available tocustomers through300 stores in morethan 50 countriesaround the world.The Gautier home

furniture rangecovers the entirespectrum of living spaces includingbedrooms, living rooms, childrens’bedrooms and nurseries, dining spaces,storage units and other furnitureaccessories.All the products are made in France

backed by skilledFrench designingandworkmanship.At the heart of

Gautier’sexcellence is itscontemporarystyling and designphilosophy whichensures that itsfurniture has astrong visual andaesthetic identity,is designedergonomically forcomfort andpracticality, andmakes optimal

use of the available space.Gautier has long been acknowledged

as a leading expert in furniture forchildrens’ bedrooms and studio flats.Safe, intelligent, multi-purpose,evolutionary and attractive, it provides

ingenious spaces forgames, storage,work and, ofcourse, rest. Spacesaving, in that thefurniture can serve

many different functions, is one of themain characteristics of the childrens’bedrooms. As for studios, a modern lineof innovative modular elements ideallymeets this constantly changing segment’srequirements.Gautier’s commercial strategy has

always gone hand-in-hand with a brand-oriented marketing and communicationpolicy. Through sustained media presenceand a controlled and well constructedimage, Gautier has been able to developits identity, endowed nowadays with astrong reputation with professionals andthe general public alike.Some 15,000 orders are dispatched

every day, with a third of these exported.In 2007 the firm generated sales of150m.

GAUTIERGLOBAL VISIONAfter 50 years, the company has becomeone of the world’s best-know furniture brands



France

La Boissellerie makes a large range ofinnovating modern grey elm and oakfurniture.The Odyssée by La Boissellerie is one of thefirm’s flagship collections.

CustomisedThe totally customised home cinema rangeconsists of side-by-side elements in twoheights (167cm and 215cm) and in twowidths (56cm and 96cm) to better meetthe space restrictions of modern homes.

StorageIt features several storage features, such asniches, doors, drawers and display cabinetfor maximum storage opportunities.

InnovatingIt has anti-pinch security drawers anddoors with buffers. The table is suppliedwith easy opening and 2 integrated leaves.

Rare speciesDescribed as a contemporary design thatexceeds fashion, it uses North AmericanGrey elm. Decimated in the past century

due to disease, the previously already rarespecies now only mainly exists in the northof the US. Isolated within forests of othermore common species, the elms areselected individually while standing beforebeing shipped to France where they aresawn and dried for several months. All ourwood comes from authorized forests.The collection includes a living and

dining room collection, including buffet,dining tables and chairs and display unit.Sales contact - LBA Interiors -Arnaud Lebarillec 07502020570,email: [email protected],fax: 00 33 (0)351 653 148,Postal address: ZONE ARTISANALE - 85590TREIZE VENTS - FRANCE,web: www.laboissellerie.fr

LA BOISSELLERIEUNIQUE TIMBERBy using the rare Grey elm, the company hascreated designs that stand out from the competition



France

GEM is a specialist organisation, formedat the initiative of the National Union ofFrench Furniture Industries (UNIFA) and apartner of CODIFA (the Committee forthe Development of the French FurnitureIndustry). Its role is to inform andpromote awareness among all thesector’s players. It also acts asspokesperson and ambassador for theFrench furniture industry outside France.GEM supports the development of its

member companies in internationalmarkets by co-financing and organisinggroup projects.Its activities revolve around three main

focuses:• Reinforcing the representation ofFrench manufacturers at internationalevents;

• creating and co-ordinating companies’commercial activities and

• centralising and meeting the need forinformation regarding internationalmarkets.By its nature, objectives and the

structure of the French furniture industry,GEM provides advice and guidance to alltypes of company, regardless of their sizeand product range, their market niche orlevel of expertise in the field of exports.GEM currently comprises 110 French

companies. These companies arerepresentative of the sector as a whole,although the domestic market providesthe largest number of members.These 110 companies generate a third

of the turnover of furniture production inFrance. Craftsman and industrial leadersalike are welcomed by GEM.

Developing the sectorIn order to optimise the presence of itsmember companies at trade exhibitionsabroad, GEM offers a series of operationstailor-made to meet the needs of eachcompany:• Identifying and cataloguing events

throughout the world to enablemembers to assess the benefits ofparticipation;

• Grouping manufacturers togetherunder a collective French banner, toprovide a single point of contact indealings with the event organiser;

• Logistical support for those companiesunder the collective banner (standarchitecture, group transport,communication activities).

Organising assignmentsOn behalf of its members, GEM organisesassignments abroad with the aim ofcreating export opportunities and/ordeveloping an international presence.GEM proposes the grouping together

of companies with similar orcomplementary commercial interests interms of market or country on a sharedassignment. However, meetings with

local professionals may be joint orindividual, according to need.The main activities offered by GEM

include information on production anddistribution, detailed knowledge of theconstraints and specific characteristics ofthe market and host country, factoryand shop visits, meetings with localopinion leaders and potential partners.

Enhancing export skillsIn partnership with the public assistancenetwork, GEM coordinates employmentunder the Voluntary InternationalBusiness Placements scheme (VIE) onbehalf of its members, particularly SMEs.The principle is to to identify specific

export requirements and to unite two orthree companies in a joint employmentproject.

An unmissable eventA key event for the profession, theMeuble Paris exhibition was held from22-26 January 2009 at the Paris LeBourget exhibition centre. Sharing thesame organiser, the trade show was heldat the same time as the Maison et Objetshow (23-27 January).On this occasion, GEM made a key

contribution to the international aspect ofthis event.GEM’s role at the Meuble Paris show

was to:• on behalf of its members, to managethe arrival and reception of theirinternational customers and prospectsat the show and to welcome foreigndelegations - and any other sectorprofessionals wishing to make contactwith a French company - to its standand guide them around the show.GEM skilfully fulfilled this dual role,

which guarantees a high-qualityreception and permanent representationfor the French furniture industry both formember companies and their guests.

GEMUNITEDGEM, a group of French furniture exporters, supportscompanies in their moves to expand internationally


FRENCHDESIGNFORUM2009

DESIGN CENTRE CHELSEA HARBOURSPACE, THIRD FLOOR, SOUTH DOME

LONDON SW10 0XEIN ASSOCIATION WITH

SPEAKERS: RABIH HAGE, DAVID COLLINS, ANDRÉ DUBREUIL, MATALI CRASSET, META, AND MAX FRASER

3rd -4th MARCH 200910am - 6pm

INTERIOR DESIGN FORUM & EXHIBITION ON FRENCH MANUFACTURING

Limited seats, book your free ticket now! TRADE ONLY Call Constance Nuytten: 020 7316 4166 or email: [email protected]


interiors monthly france supplement frebruary 2009

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