Isabelle Laydier

AT HOME WITH

Artistic Director

Brittany

/08

ISABELLE LAYDIER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF BLUMENHAUS MAGAZINE, IS FRENCH-DANISH, BORN IN BRUSSELS TO A DANISH MOTHER AND A FRENCH FATHER. AFTER LIVING 14 YEARS IN PARIS, ISABELLE DECIDED TO START A NEW CHAPTER IN BRITTANY WITH HER PARTNER AND YOUNG DAUGHTER.

How did your passion for botany and design begin? Has it always been part of your life or was it something you discovered over time?

Nature and art have always been present in my life, though in different ways depending on the phase. Both passions started early, largely thanks to my mother, whom I always remember with pencils in hand.

Your home in the Salesas neighborhood in Madrid reflects a bohemian and artistic style. What elements of your current environment inspire you when redecorating your space?

We’ve only lived in this house for a year, so we’re still giving it our touch. When we arrived, we made some changes: we painted everything white (the walls were grey, brown, and apple green), and my partner laid a parquet floor. Last summer, we also added a greenhouse in the garden. As for the style, I think it varies by room. Some are more richly decorated, others more minimalist, but the house comes to life through the furniture and objects we’ve found at flea markets or during our travels.

Your home has a special charm. Is there a corner or element that best reflects your personality?

I think my library reflects my personality and sources of inspiration. There are esoteric books, philosophical essays, children's stories, graphic novels, and botanical books… it’s an eclectic and vibrant mix.

"I love getting lost in books and traveling to different times and places without leaving home".

How did the idea of creating Blumenhaus come about?

In 2020, I co-founded Blumenhaus with my dear friend Camille Gressier. It is an art book about botany, explored through the lens of illustration, fashion, and various themes. We worked together for years and always said that one day we would create a project of our own.

Does your creative process change when you're at home or away?

At home, I like to surround myself with objects and books that inspire me, but I also find a lot of inspiration outside. I believe movement is essential to the creative process: traveling, visiting exhibitions, or just walking through the forest can be enough to spark new ideas.

"I like the idea that everything is adjustable and easy to move. I love changing the decor from time to time!"

Why did you choose The Masie?

The first pieces I discovered were the dining chairs — I loved their refined designs and how well the colors were combined. Then I got to know the rest of the collection and fell in love with it.

What do The Masie’s pieces convey to you?

To me, they have a very artistic air. They’re almost like works of art that elevate any space’s atmosphere.

You have an amazing garden and greenhouse. How do these spaces influence your home’s atmosphere?

We were lucky to collaborate with Serres Lams, a French company that builds greenhouses. This space has become a kind of wellness bubble, a little world of its own. I divided it into two areas: on one side I have a desk where I draw and work when the weather is good, and on the other, a vegetable garden where we recently planted tomatoes, radishes, and cucumbers.

What are your favorite plants or flowers to decorate your home? Is there one you consider essential?

In the past seven years, my partner and I have moved four times, and the plant that’s always followed us is the devil’s ivy. It’s easy to care for, and I love how it can hang, creating a jungle-like feel indoors. I also love picking flowers from the garden by season. We have crocuses, lilies, hyacinths, tulips, hellebores, Japanese anemones, lilacs, and chamomile, among others.