PATRICK FREY

PRESIDENT AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF FABRIC AND UPHOLSTERY SPECIALIST PIERRE FREY.

byDomenica Tan

PRESIDENT AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF FABRIC AND UPHOLSTERY SPECIALIST PIERRE FREY.

<b>photos</b> PIERRE FREY

A family-owned business with a heritage spanning eight decades, Pierre Frey is an established maison offering collections of fun, eclectic and graphically diverse textiles and wallpapers. With new designs launched twice every year, the company continually brings exciting aesthetics to homeowners, designers and architects alike. Patrick Frey provides insights on its latest collection and how homeowners can incorporate the designs in their homes.

What are the brand’s design philosophy and its main driving force when developing new collections for the home?

We seek to inspire clients and designers in the many ways our wallpapers and textiles can be used to highlight or change a room’s decor. We want to help them dream up new ideas that feed their imagination. I personally travel around the world to show and explain our collections to our customers. Whenever possible, I participate in conferences concerning the design industry – it is a way of promoting the French art de vivre that we value so much at Pierre Frey.

Name one misconception many homeowners have about using wallpapers.

People are afraid to experiment. However, wallpaper doesn’t have to be a huge investment. It can be as simple as using a single wall panel to add character to a room. Plus, it can also be removed very easily. The availability is wide in terms of design and textures.

With such a diverse range of home textiles and wallpaper offerings, how would you advise homeowners to go about finding the right materials for their home?

It is important to rely on one’s own taste and not be overly swayed by external influences. At the end of the day, it is you who come home to your space, and it should be a place where you feel safe and comfortable.

There are plenty of ways to use fabrics, but people often forget that it can be upholstered on a wall. This adds warmth to the room and changes up the ambience instantly. You can also use it to camouflage a door that you do not want visible.

Tell us more about the new collection and your role in the design process.

The 2018 collection is also very important to me. It was several years, after a trip, when I was inspired by the culture of the Native Americans. Their culture and beliefs are so rich and exciting that it has been a great source of inspiration. As for my role, I am a fervent advocate of creativity, and trend books do not influence me. I believe a lot in intuition, free choice, fantasy and juxtaposition.

Although I work with three stylists, I remain the decision maker. This implies that in case of failure, I am responsible. However, risks in design are what keep Pierre Frey relevant and customers interested. In addition to the in-house design team, we also like to collaborate with talented artists or designers who like statement-making designs. Our latest acquisition is with French furniture manufacturer Rosello. It specialises in chairs and furniture for the hotel and catering industry, and we are delighted to be bringing in these new offerings.