The Interiors of François Catroux Put Together in a New Book

David Netto, a Los Angeles-based decorator who is also a design journalist, pursued famous interior designer François Catroux for nearly two years before he finally persuaded him to share his successful career achievements in a book. However, according to Catroux “the people who needed to know knew,” all about his professional inspiration and goals, and so there was no need to put it all out in a book. Fortunately, David Netto convinced him otherwise. François Catroux – simply titled – written by David Netto, is a comprehensive consideration of the work and life of an international master of interior design. See below some of the interiors he designed over the years.

Paris-based interior designer François Catroux’s client list is definitely one of the best in the business. And his successful career granted him fame and recognition. This new book looks at Catroux’s career chronologically, featuring his first projects in 1968, when he opened his Paris office, through his latest, completed only this year, and includes the interiors of houses and apartments around the globe, from Paris to New York, Hong Kong to Los Angeles. It really shows why Catroux has been the decorator of choice for aristocrats, moguls, royals, and oligarchs alike.

François Catroux is an innovator and explorer in interior design, who has always been a master of contemporary style. His trademark for contemporary design is mostly the result of being confronted with old interior designs.

In the image above we see inside of a landmarked 18th-century Paris hôtel particulier:“I transformed the inside completely to return to the purity of the original style,” Catroux says. “All the architecture you see is new.”

For his designs, Catroux also uses nothing but the best materials. Marbles, fine woods, and opulent upholstery are part of his definition of luxury. From his experiences during his several trips around the world, the designer uses inspiration. His passion for art is also an input.

Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg’s residence in Beverly Hills was decorated by Catroux in 2012. It’s an open-plan double-height central space contains a balustrade inspired by Wright as well as furniture by such American designers as George Nakashima, Wendell Castle and T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings.

In this New York apartment Catroux drew inspiration for his design from the building’s Art Deco aesthetic.

In the dining room of the Paris hôtel particulier apartment, Catroux used a bit of subterfuge to create drama. The curtains conceal the fact that the arches above the windows, added in the renovation, after the ceiling was raised, don’t contain glass.

In the process of making this new book, Catroux was surprised by how well most of his interiors hold up when viewed today. “The projects from the 1960s look fresh today. My best projects I hope look timeless.” What is your opinion in this?