Le Moulin, a haven of peace hidden in the hollow of a valley: Meeting with Marine

1 - Can you tell us the story of the Moulin de Bellequeue? What attracted you to this place and how this project came about?

We were looking for a country house two hours from Paris, a place of our own, where we could get together on weekends, create memories, and welcome our loved ones. And then we came across Le Moulin. It was love at first sight: a group of buildings nestled in the hollow of a valley, crossed by a river, without any noise pollution, without neighbors, just the sound of water and birds. A simple, natural, almost raw luxury. Here, we live to the rhythm of the seasons, we slow down, we refocus.

2 - What do you like most about life at the Moulin?

The immediate disconnection that occurs when you enter. In contrast to the Parisian rhythm, here I get up without knowing what I'm going to do, I'm going to do some DIY, arrange a piece of furniture, go and take care of the garden... Simple gestures that remain concrete, visible and satisfying.

3 - How is this place designed to accommodate families?

The Moulin is first and foremost our home; it's also a place where our friends and family come with their children. It was designed and equipped for this purpose, so it's also naturally a great place for our guests. My goal is to lighten the mental load on parents as much as possible. Everything is available here: baby monitors, travel cots, Minois products, all kinds of games, and more. By being well-equipped, our guests have more quality time with their families.

4 - You are the proud parents of 2-year-old Liv. How did you find a balance between your family life and your professional project?

Liv is our greatest project! After a long PMA journey that lasted 4 years, in which we armed ourselves with patience, it was very important for us to reconcile our professional projects that drive and excite us, but also to enjoy her. I took a professional break for 15 months and kept Liv at home. It's hard to do, but we tell ourselves that we have to learn to let go. Fortunately, we are quite productive, we get through a workload quite quickly, and thanks to good organization, we manage priorities to enjoy Liv as much as possible. I'm not saying it's easy; it took time to find the balance.

5 - Liv participated in our photoshoot for the LUGO bed. What memories do you have of that day?

It was a lovely day, and the team was very friendly. Lucas is also a designer, so it was a real pleasure for him to see this approach to children's furniture. It's a double challenge to succeed in creating objects that are practical, beautiful, and safe.

6 - What is your approach to decoration at the Moulin? What are your influences?

We carried out the renovation with the expertise of the Hauvette & Madani agency co-founded by my husband. We wanted to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, mix new and old, apply soft colors... Lucas has a particular appetite for noble materials, for example there is marble in the door frames, in the niches or even in the plinths. I often say that I am my husband's most difficult client because I wanted it to be photogenic, robust and easy to live with! and then I added my decorative touch thanks to second-hand objects for example. It was a 4-handed job!

7 - What did you like about Charlie Crane's world? A favorite piece of furniture?

I discovered the brand during my pregnancy. Charlie Crane shines with its very designer approach to children's furniture. This immediately appealed to me because I wanted beautiful objects that were both practical and durable. Since I work from home, I really need to surround myself with "beauty." I don't clutter myself with unnecessary pieces and I always choose carefully. My favorite object is the YOMI bed; its design soothes me a lot. As for Liv, she fell in love with the SABA chair. She sits there with a book, invents stories... I love watching her do it.

8 - You're opening a new place soon, Solezane. Can you tell us a little more about it?

It's a house 1 hour from Paris, so a little closer than the Moulin, it's perfect for our customers who want to escape the capital in a very short time. We also wanted it to be a little haven of peace, again thanks to the talent of the Hauvette and Madani agency and decorated with second-hand objects. Our goal is to have all the comfort of a hotel room but in the countryside. Opening planned for the end of September!

9 - What makes Solézane different from Moulin? What is your ambition for this new place?

There is no real difference in the sense that it is a place that, like the Moulin, was designed to share moments with family and friends, to create memories and have a good time. Solézane will be a slightly smaller space (5 rooms compared to the 6 at the Moulin, editor's note). Activities will also be organized there: delivery of breakfast baskets, yoga instructor, bicycles, and of course our good addresses in the surrounding area...

10 - What would you like to pass on to Liv through your lifestyle and your projects?

I would like to teach her that you can live with less but better in the sense that it is not necessary to have everything. I think we can sum this up by the importance of choosing a beautiful object with care. I realized that I had not bought her a toy for a year! She has her toys, everyday objects, a tricycle bought in a flea market but we do not overconsume. I think that the environment in which we live influences well-being, so we might as well lighten it, enhance it, make it functional and pleasant to live in. Luxury is made of simple things. Finally, I would also like to teach her the art of perseverance. We can accomplish anything and have everything we desire as long as we put our heart into it.