Capucine Gougenheim Geagea
When Maison Lelièvre and Galerie Vauclair join forces at La Pagoda in Paris
Invited by Maison Lelièvre for Paris Déco Off, Galerie Vauclair presented a rare selection of iconic pieces from the mid-19th century in a stunning setting created by Edgar Payet at the Pagoda—a scene worthy of the enchanted caravans one might imagine from the time of Marco Polo: winter garden furniture made of bamboo and rattan, refined ceramics and lighting that blended beautifully with the precious fabrics of Maison Lelièvre. Elegance blended perfectly with decorative art to create scenes inspired by the Orientalism in vogue during the 19th century, which was all the rage in salons, as eyes were enchanted by the surprises revealed on each floor of this legendary setting that is the Pagoda.
A production inspired by 19th-century Orientalism
With a passion for the Napoleonic III style, Galerie Vauclair also embraces the “cocotte” salon aesthetic: generously proportioned seating, layers of silk, damask, and deep velvets come together to create theatrical settings.
At the helm of Galerie Vauclair, Laurence and Denis Vauclair-Rouquette combine the exacting standards of antique dealers, the perspective of art historians, and the role of ambassadors of beauty. Each piece is studied, documented, and contextualized: origin, materials, and 19th-century technical innovations. This in-depth work, informed by dialogue with museums and artisans, serves to preserve and pass on cultural heritage.
In a scenography designed by Edgar Payet, tasked with showcasing the new fabric collections from Lelièvre and Tassinari-Chatel, the decorator succeeded in creating a memorable atmosphere of delicate elegance within this iconic residence. His staging created a dialogue between the collections and the Pagode’s unique architecture, balancing heritage with modern reinterpretation, bringing to the table the refinement of houses such as Galerie Vauclair, Gien, Maison Delisle, Fortuny, and Mathieu Lustrerie.
When haute décoration blends beauty, Orientalism, and modernity in a legendary setting
Since 1914, Lelièvre has been reimagining rare fabrics and nurturing its passion for four generations. True to French style and a member of the Comité Colbert, its collections of fabrics, wallpapers, custom rugs, and furniture transport you into the exquisite world of haute décoration through their unique styles and designs, history, and creativity.
A rare place steeped in history, the Pagode served as a refuge for the antiquarian Ching Tsai Loo—a major figure in the dissemination of Chinese art in the West—beginning in 1925. An intellectual and aesthetic legacy that still resonates today, just a stone’s throw from Parc Monceau in the 8th arrondissement.
A must-visit during Paris Déco Off, where the past skillfully inspires the present with a masterful elegance, just as Plume loves.
© Photos by Arthur Minot
La Pagoda
48 Rue de Courcelles, Paris 8th
Galerie Vauclair
24 Rue de Beaune, Paris 7th arrondissement
at the Paris Saint-Ouen Flea Market
Marché Paul Bert, Stand 79, Aisle 6
93400 Saint-Ouen
