- Interior
Born in Germany, lived in Australia and studied in Paris: interior designer Alicia Luxem did it all. There is no shortage of impetus and creative stimulus for this bold talent. Her designs leave no doubt that she knows her way around colour. With the Turenne project, she launches herself to the centre of our attention, flanked by vintage treasures, a nose for astute art, and a base like a shell.
In retrospect, a culturally diverse background and parents working in hospitality were the perfect foundation for Alicia Luxem to chart her own professional path. She may have been born in Germany, but she grew up in several countries, including even Hayman Island and Mauritius. From an early age, she was invested in drawing houses. At eighteen, she moved to Paris, where she studied interior design at the eminent l'École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. She could not have made a better choice. Even outside the school walls, she was constantly encouraged to unleash her creativity. Galleries, museums, theaters, stirring architecture and the overall charm of the metropolis left a lasting mark on her identity.
The beauty and inspiration she was surrounded with irrevocably found their way into her portfolio. After completing her studies, she gained several work experiences. For example, she was involved in a special project by Galleria Continua, in which a former paper factory was given a new purpose. Together with architects and landscape designers, she transformed the site into an exhibition space, an artists' residence, a restaurant, and a bookstore. She then worked for the well-known Pierre Yves Rochon firm for a while, just off Les Champs Elysées. Her tasks were mainly related to the designs of five-star hotels. Here she gained valuable experience at no less than one of the biggest names in the French tradition. Next on her itinerary were the offices of Gilles et Boissier and Studio KO, where she became involved with several contemporary projects. Finally, in 2020, the moment arrived when she took the step to start her own business. That decision was nothing but right, as this beautiful apartment agrees without hesitation. 
'People often know what they do not want and not necessarily what they do want’
The Turenne project was the second commission Luxem completed for this client. It had to be an apartment where you are immediately put at ease and especially natural materials make up the palette. That is why she applied a technique in lime plaster on all the walls, developing a gentle look to the rooms. Solid wood for the floor and carpets made of wool and alpaca introduced a homely charm, while the exuberant use of metal in the kitchen emphasises a modern approach. Custom-made furniture, again in solid wood, was given a matching natural paint finish. All these choices in materials are a clear testament to Luxem's vision. For example, she has a recurring preference for natural elements, since that way she allows comfort and harmony to emerge in her interiors every time. 
In addition, materials like that feel alive; a quality she loves. In each project, she compiles her selection mostly instinctively. The same goes for the colours she chooses. When she first visits a site, she develops a certain vision in her mind that accompanies her throughout the entire design process. Faithful to it, she follows this narrative until she looks at the result when the project is completed.
Want to read more about this impressive talent? You can read about it in the Summer 2024 edition of Imagicasa Magazine.
Photography by Amaury Laparra
Text by Cara Jacobs