The attention to detail is astonishing. Where does she source her pieces?
“My clients sent me to Marrakech to find one-of-a-kind items,” Mathilde explains. “For example, these pieces are marriage certificates written on cedar wood. I found a bundle of these in the souk.”
The stunning interiors at 30 Pont Street house the spirit of North Africa combined with a European relaxed sophistication. The French gray marble is cool and adds light to the spaces, while the velvet and cotton textures are warm and inviting. I want to move in.
The exquisite oak flooring has been black tinted, providing the perfect showcase for the bespoke furniture designed in-house at Secretcape. I notice intriguing design details, such as the font-inspired basins in the bathrooms. It would take more than a day to go round the house just taking in all the details.
Plush carpets you could sleep on, window boxes with fresh mint and rosemary, beautifully designed tableware.
We look out from this magical eyrie to the beautiful terrace below with its fresh plantings and a specially made window (on the ceiling of the basement flat) that turns opaque at the touch of a remote.
Where does she get her inspiration?
“I love order and symmetry,” explains Mathilde. “And I love hospitality and receiving people. I love seeing people enjoying themselves and feeling good. These values are expressed in my design work.”
“I’m also meticulous – I cannot even leave my house in the morning if it’s not in order. So my clients can sense this when they get to know me.
“They can feel that I am giving myself fully for them. That I am fully committed to each project I work on. I am a perfectionist and very passionate about what I do.”
As we make our way down to the second and third apartments – ever more spectacular – the vibrant artwork on the walls catches my eye. Who’s the artist? “Ah, yes she’s brilliant!” smiles Mathilde. “Sylvaine Ebb is from Lebanon and has a great spirit. Her work looks amazing in this house and I have commissioned her a lot.”
With 7 projects on the go, I ask her if she gets time to recharge. “I am probably a bit of a workaholic,” Mathilde admits. “It’s not easy for me to take time off but I love travel. That energises me.” Her favourite destinations? “I love the South of France and Porto Vechio, Puglia and Doha are also places I love visiting.”
Noticing an Hermès cushion on the bed, which are her favourite designers?
“Hermès, I love, yes – also St-Louis for their timeless quality. But I don’t always use brand names. I often visit markets for one-off pieces that can look beautiful too and complement high-quality fabrics and furniture.”
Looking back at her success, what advice would she give her 19-year-old self?
She smiles: “To believe in myself. Believe in my projects and ideas and to never ever give up!”
So what’s next for Secretcape? I get the feeling Mathilde’s motivation is not about the money.
“Not it’s definitely not,” she agrees. “I hate talking about money. I’d rather focus on creating great interiors and let my team deal with the accounts.
“For me, my motivation is to continue creating a career out of something I am most passionate about – interior design. To create beautiful homes for my clients and to express myself and my passion in the process.
“I want to be the Natalie Massenet (Net-A-Porter founder) of interior design!”
30 Pont Street for sale
The three Secretcape-designed apartments at 30 Pont Street are now for sale. Available as one lot or as separate apartments.
Listed with Knight Frank Mayfair. Call Stuart Bailey on 0207 881 7720 / 07789 956931
Listed with Napier Watt. Call Jonathan Adams on 0207 935 0011 / 07974 666634
Secretcape Interior Design – Where and How?
1 Down Street Mews
London W1J 7AU
+ 44 (0) 20 7499 7255
[email protected]
www.secretcape.co.uk
@secretcape
Slyvaine Debs – artist
www.Sylvainedebs.uk
[email protected]
+ 44 (0) 797 182 4626
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