At just over 1,000 square feet, the upper level was once a maze of small bedrooms and her grandfather’s painting studio. “We knocked down a load-bearing wall to open up the main living space,” Aurélie says. “The layout had to work around the original windows, so we placed the kitchen where the light pours in from the lake and the living area where a French door leads to the terrace.”

Now, polished concrete floors and crisp white walls create a neutral canvas that lets color and personality take center stage. Large-scale artwork by Tim Frager energizes the living space, proving that yellow can instantly lift the mood. Aurélie echoes that vibrancy throughout the home, explaining, “I can’t live without color—it’s my love language.”

Julien Fernandez

Iconic reissued design pieces—including a tulip dining table by Eero Saarinen, a Flowerpot pendant, and low-slung blue Togo seating by Michel Ducaroy—anchor the living room. “These pieces fit perfectly in my compact space, and they’re ideal for family life,” Aurélie notes. The result is a home that feels playful yet purposeful, where every element earns its place.

That philosophy is most evident in the kitchen, where the island, painted in a rich egg-yolk yellow, serves as a bold focal point. Surrounded by white cabinetry and gray marble, the hue feels even more saturated and joyful. “I need that daily dose of joy and energy,” she says. Aurélie carries subtle touches of this signature shade into every room, creating cohesion without overwhelming the space.

Wallpaper from Pierre Frey became the launchpad for the home’s palette, introducing a lively mix of pink, orange, yellow, and blue that flows from room to room. Even the terrace continues the story: coral-toned furnishings and tableware create a sun-washed extension of the interior, while a striped green awning—its hue borrowed from the surrounding trees—adds contrast and shade.

Credit: Julien Fernandez

Aurélie’s grandfather’s former studio has been transformed into bedrooms for her sons, while the attic-like mezzanine—once a shared dormitory for visiting grandchildren—has become the primary suite. “I didn’t want to change the spirit of the space,” she says. To preserve its cozy charm, she replaced damaged paneling with wide white slats and introduced a custom headboard upholstered in orange-striped fabric for a graphic punch.

I can’t live without color—it’s my love language.

— AURÉLIE LABORDE, INTEROR DESIGNER

The bedroom continues her signature design code: bold color, graphic pattern, and distinctive pieces like Donuts wall lights by Axel Chay and Muuto bedside tables. In the primary bathroom, retro influences come through in large-format tiles, a wall-mounted toilet, and a modular vanity by USM, adding both function and character.

Credit: Julien Fernandez

Credit: Julien Fernandez

Throughout, polished concrete surfaces keep the focus on art and objects, reinforcing Aurélie’s belief that color and design should feel joyful, lived-in, and personal. The result is a warm, vibrant home that honors its past while embracing a spirited, modern family life.