Without a doubt, Eric Valero is one of my favourite Art Directors in the design world at the moment. His approach to design is timeless, chic and extremely elegant. The essence of his design aesthetic is that quality is always a must! Valero’s knowledge in the use of different techniques, materials and processes in the artistic direction of wallpapers, fabrics, area rugs and furnishings is more than evident. His collections are stunning! What can I say, I am a big fan!
Since 2012, Eric Valero is the Art Director of the prestigious french house of Nobilis in Paris. In 2010 he received the Laurete of Wallpaper Lab organized by the prestigious Musée Des Arts Décoratifs, at the Louvre in Paris. He has also had the opportunity to collaborate with French designer Christian Liagre while working in the penthouse of Rupert Murdoch. Valero has designed fabrics, wallpapers, jaquards, carpets, furnishings for the most prestigious design houses like Fardis, Mulberrry Silk, Holding Hermés, Parry Murray, Vénilla, Étamine (Zimmer & Rhode), Galerie Triff, Manuel Canovas and Graty Lorthiois.
Thanks to the magic of Instagram I discovered that Valeros’ is the man behind the art direction of Nobilis. As soon as I saw his work I wanted to have an interview with him and have the opportunity to learn more about his incredible approach to design. That day is here, and I am so happy to share Monsieur Valero’s thoughts on design with you.
Eric Valero
Iván Meade – What was your first experience with design?
Eric Valero – As far back as I can remember, I have always had a pencil in my hand. As a child, I was painting everything around me at my family house in the countryside, from flowers to landscapes.
Eric Valero for Nobilis
Iván Meade – What is design for you?
Eric Valero – Design is a spirit of life, the way to make our lives more beautiful.
Eric Valero for Nobilis
Iván Meade – You are currently the art director of the prestigious Parisian design house Nobilis – For our readers who do not know Nobilis, what is the story behind this house, and what is your roll in Nobilis?
Eric Valero – Nobilis is an old family house created by Adolf Halard in 1928 in the Saint Germain Des Prés area of Paris. Wanting to publish beautiful, artistique fabrics and wallpaper, he named the company Nobilis, which in Latin means noble, elegance and good taste. After 88 years, Nobilis employs 200 people and has show rooms throughout the world. For the past 4 years, I have happily been the art director and continue to raise the house in a contempory and glamourous mood.
Eric Valero for Nobilis
Iván Meade – What is the source of your inspiration?
Eric Valero – I am a sponge, I open my mind everywhere at every time! Interiors designers from the 1930s-1950s also inspire me a lot, it was such a chic a period.
Eric Valero for Nobilis
Iván Meade – Your design direction is very clean and elegant, but still the materials and design forms convey a more understated approach to luxury – What is luxury to you?
Eric Valero – Luxury it is an attitude, a way of life. In our time, handmade products with a requirement for detail are a real luxury, they are more emotional and that makes all the difference.
Eric Valero for Nobilis
Iván Meade – What is your current favourite material, and why?
Eric Valero – I like natural fibers, linen, silk and wool very much – these materials have life.
Eric Valero for Nobilis
Iván Meade – What is the best advice you could give to somebody who is new in the world of design?
Eric Valero – Try to stay themselves and never renounce, and of course open their mind and their heart.
Eric Valero for Nobilis
Iván Meade – What do you think has more of an influence on your work, your personal lifestyle, the current trends in design, or that very french je ne sais quoi?
Eric Valero – There is no diference between my life and my work, so my personal lifestyle combined with my instinct: my own ‘je ne sais quoi’ influence.
Eric Valero for Nobilis
Iván Meade – Your Instagram account is definitely one of my favourites, everything you post is very well curated, so I imagine that you have a wonderful lifestyle. What is the best part of your day and why?
Eric Valero – Thank you, that is very kind. I am very exited in the morning to start a new day of creation, especially on my blue bicycle across the ‘Esplane des Invalides’ on my way to Saint-Germain des Prés.
Iván Meade – 5 things you can’t live without?
Eric Valero – My partner for 30 years, the voice of Ella Fitzgerald, a glass of Champagne, my small Greek island in spring and a pencil to draw.
Eric Valero by Nobilis
Iván Meade – What is the main element that in your opinion, any home should have?
Eric Valero – A chic and comfortable sofa.
Eric Valero for Nobilis
Iván Meade – In your opinion, what is the most beautiful object you have ever seen and why?
Eric Valero – I am in love with an incredible console designed by Jean-Charles Moreux (1889-1956). It is an console in marble with white laquered oak feet, lions hand ornaments with antique references.
Eric Valero for Nobilis
Iván Meade – What is your favourite project, and why?
Eric Valero – Actually, I am thinking about a new line of armchairs and sofas. I am very exited because more and more I like working in the third dimension. It is a very good complement to my textile and wallcovering creations, a way to work as a ‘decorateur ensemblier’.
Eric Valero for Nobilis
Iván Meade – Living in Paris, the world’s capital of style and fashion, must be an incredible experience – What is your favourite part about living there?
Eric Valero – I truly like the spirit of the left bank of Paris: the ‘rive gauche’. Especially the 6th and the 7th arrondissement famous for their antique dealers, gorgeous garden ‘Jardin du Luxembourg’, fantastic bookstores, the charming ‘Musée de Rodin’, and of course the elegant cafés. This is the real soul of Paris!
Eric Valero for Nobilis
Iván Meade – Lastly, you have already created a stunning body of work. What would you like your legacy to be?
Eric Valero – My wish would be that Nobilis grows up and continues to become more and more elegant.
I invite you to vist Nobilis website to get inspired and mesmerized by their beautiful products:
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