2011 Dec 26 Atelier 21: French Studio-Boutique Adds Color to Lido
The hallway is damp and dark, the room numbers barely discernible. Your expectations are understandably low. Suddenly, the door opens and you’re left blinded by the vivid hues, the sweet scent of potpourri and the warm sunshine cascading through the windows. A steady stream of French chatter pervades the room, softened by melancholy tunes and quiet laughter. The scene resembles more of an intimate social gathering than a studio-boutique.
Indeed, Atelier 21 is made up of a collective of French artists, with furniture designer Bénédicte and jewelry designer Fanny at the helm. The side rooms house their workshops, where beads and thread spill from boxes, and fabrics from India and France are piled up to the ceiling – proof that their wares are handmade and one-of-a-kind. The owners share an enthusiasm for experimenting with color and patterns, particularly Benny, whose placemats, square flop pillows and boutis mix Arabesque and polka dots with ease.
Atelier 21. By appointment only. Rm 2102, 21/F, Bldg A, Landscape Apartments, Jiangtai Xilu, Chaoyang District (6434 7009, 150 0110 0360) www.benedictebf.com
朝阳区将太西路风景线公寓A座21层2102室
Photos: Philippe Leberre
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