Charlie & Friends: Meet Marion aka Fringe and Frange
Marion Gruber, free-spirited motherhood
Creative and inspiring, Marion is more than just a breath of fresh air on our Instagram feed. The influencer and mother of three shares her vision of parenthood and her dreams of faraway places. Need a breath of fresh air? Then read on!
Mother of three children in 5 years! Can you tell us how your experience of motherhood has evolved? Are you the same mother now as you were at the beginning?
Marion Gruber: I think it's in my nature to see the glass as half full. I make lists, plans, I anticipate and prepare a lot of things, but it's more to reassure myself. Yet when things happen (very often not at all as envisaged), I welcome them without overthinking it, appreciating all the little things in life. In my parenting, it's exactly the same. I'm not rigid about schedules or routines — I try to do the best I can and make life easier for us, whatever it takes.
And in the end, it suits us perfectly: the children are super laid-back, we take them everywhere, they adapt to everything. Their bond is very strong — it's truly magical to witness. And we involve them in all our projects, we talk to them a lot, despite their young age, and I feel like they love it.
I think I'm the same mother as I was five years ago — yes, perhaps with a bit more tiredness (laughs). I still get tears in my eyes when I see them accomplish something new, I still have that feeling of overflowing happiness in my heart, I tell myself every day that what Guillaume and I have managed to do is incredible. I'm just constantly overwhelmed and I go to bed every day thoroughly tired from my days, but honestly, it's a small price to pay for all the happiness I have alongside it!
Was having three children a long-held dream, or a desire that grew over time? The IVF journey must surely be something of a rollercoaster… and a miracle too!
Marion Gruber: I always dreamed of having three children. The idea of a large family, of children who have siblings to play with constantly, to grow up and evolve with, always resonated with me. But then with my first pregnancy, I realised that having three might not be quite as straightforward as I'd imagined, and how lucky I already was to have a baby in my arms. When you've been through an IVF journey like we have, I think you really have to appreciate what a gift from life it is — a miracle and a blessing. But… the longing for more never left me. And 14 months later, I was pregnant with James. We could have told ourselves it was enough, that we were truly the happiest and luckiest people in the world, but I had the feeling that one was missing. And then Luna arrived, and I never had that feeling of "not enough" again. I immediately sensed that we were complete. The missing piece of the puzzle. I still can't explain it!
You have three wonderful children, you've written books, launched a hat line, have an incredible house, you create inspiring content, and you have an amazing move planned. It all seems almost "easy". Do you have any advice for moments of doubt and keeping your spirits up?
Marion Gruber: Thank you so much! It's not that it's easy, but challenges don't frighten me — on the contrary, they're so inspiring, a real driving force. I need to create things, to dream, for my own balance. It's a lot of work, but since I love what I do, I do it with so much joy that it's even more motivating. And as for life projects… It's now or never, and I hate having regrets. I do have moments of doubt, but I'm lucky to be surrounded by wonderful people, so putting into words the things that worry me or seem unclear — to those close to me, whether family or colleagues — immediately sets me free. I always tell myself not to lose sight of the goal, and that in the end, success or not, the journey to get there will be so full of instructive and positive things that you just have to go for it. We rarely regret the things we see through to the end — more often the things we didn't dare to do. So, there it is, I always have projects in mind, so why not try to make them happen? I think being proud of the path you've walked and the work you've done is one of the best feelings there is.
So, how is that Los Angeles project coming along?
Marion Gruber: It's clearly THE project in progress: changing our lives, leaving everything behind to start over on the other side of the world. Exactly the kind of slightly mad challenge that leads to constant questioning — the upheaval is so huge… but one where the outcome will be so very worth it. For now, we're still working through our immigration paperwork and visa application. We've been out there to find a house and visit the children's schools. It's becoming real!
Which essentials will you be taking with you in your suitcases?
Marion Gruber: We're going to try to travel light — but actually we're both far too passionate about so many things to pull that off! I need my sewing machine, my knitting supplies and my crochet hooks. Guillaume needs his guitars, I'll be taking a good part of my wardrobe, our sofas and a few pieces of furniture we love — and of course our Charlie Crane high chairs!
15 years of love with your husband, 3 children, working together with Guillaume… Help us out! What are your secrets to a lasting relationship?
Marion Gruber: We talk all the time. All the time. We're lucky to be aligned on our projects and dreams. And we each have our own passions, our own time. With the children, our balance is constantly evolving. It takes work to find how to adjust it to life in general, but we manage to step back and find each other again. A real team effort, and lots and lots of love!
While waiting for LA, we're always delighted by the photos of your house in Hossegor. Why do you love Charlie Crane furniture?
Marion Gruber: Charlie Crane has been with us since Romy arrived 5 years ago. We watched her grow up in the LEVO baby rocker, discover food in her TIBU high chair, and then James came along, sleeping in the KUMI crib, and then Luna came to complete the picture, always comfortably settled in the same Charlie Crane furniture.
How does this furniture evolve alongside your children and within your home?
Marion Gruber: We have truly been through every evolutionary stage of the furniture.
After the KUMI crib, Luna now sleeps in the KIMI bed, and one day we'll open it up so she can get in and out as she pleases. We even took it a step further with the LEVO baby rocker, which now cradles the children's dolls.
Do you have a design piece on your mind right now? Something you're dreaming about?
Marion Gruber: Yes! I'm dreaming of a Ray Wilkes Chiclet armchair for our next home…
What will we see on your Instagram account in a year's time? And will we still need to follow you on Instagram, or on another platform?
Marion Gruber: Hopefully photos with beautiful Californian palm trees in the background, and new projects to share! I love photography far too much to leave Instagram, but I'm trying to do more videos so I've opened a YouTube channel and a TikTok account — so who knows, maybe I'll be everywhere at once?
A big thank you to Marion for her time. Follow her on her Instagram account @fringeandfrange!
