sam baron's majordome collection for pierre frey reinterprets a boudoir lounge

IN 2020, SAM BARON WAS APPOINTED ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AT PIERRE FREY

founded in 1935, pierre frey is a french family-owned interior design company specializing in fabrics, wallpapers, carpets, rugs and furniture. today, it is run by pierre frey’s son, patrick, and his sons, pierre, vincent and matthieu frey, who continue to pursue the quality and eclectic design philosophy of its founder.

honoring the past and looking into the future, in 2020 pierre frey designated sam baron as the design and artistic director of furniture. attached to the decorative arts’ heritage, baron positions his creations between functionality and artistry, without omitting cultural and historical narratives. with his contemporary vision, the designer is able to reinterpret both artisanal and industrial know-how.

on the occasion of milan design week 2021, designboom met with sam baron at pierre frey’s milan store in via fatebenefratelli where he discussed his latest collection and how his forward-thinking artistic direction never forgets what made the pierre frey maison.

during milan design week 2021, pierre frey showcased its most recent collections images © designboom

MAJORDOME, SAM BARON’S LATEST COLLECTION FOR the french maison

during the event, sam baron presented majordome, a line that completes pierre frey’s heritage collection, which highlights the heritage of french furniture and its power to bring together tradition and future generations. featuring an armchair, a meridienne, a large pouf and a small pouf, the pieces offer a modern reinterpretation of the boudoir lounge.

‘my work questions the relationship between past and present, so it was natural that I would create something for pierre frey’s heritage collection,’ sam baron told desginboom. ‘the inspiration was the 1930s and 1940s, and madeleine castaing—someone who I admire deeply.’

founded in 1935, the french maison produces fabrics, wallpapers, carpets, rugs and furniture

madeleine castaing was a renowned antique dealer and decorator of the 20th century. at the time, when many turned to modernism, castaing exploded her distinctive aesthetic vision which blended neoclassicism, proustian romanticism, and wit. baron’s pieces pay homage by combining contemporary forms with classic cornice details subtly highlighted by animal motifs and velvet shine.

pierre frey brings its eclectic vision to the contemporary

‘madeleine castaing’s world was immense. not only was she a famous interior designer, but she was a great entertainer too,’ baron continued. ‘she hosted many shows and enjoyed creating perfect settings for people to gather around. I recently read a book about her and it struck me how many times the word ‘majordome’ — butler in english — appeared, that’s why I gave this collection the name.’

sam baron’s majordome line is brought together by its curved lines that embrace the body. the cut-outs in the lacquered base — something baron has used throughout his practice — exude elegance while linking the pieces together. when combined, they create a warm atmosphere that promotes new encounters, just like in a boudoir.

‘pierre frey is a bit eccentric in terms of fabrics and I wanted to bring this eccentricity to the furniture pieces while also concentrating on softness and comfort,’ baron concluded. ‘my job is to create pieces that are very contemporary without forgetting what is behind, without excluding what made the house.’

sam baron siting on his majordome sofa
portrait © designboom