Loft over the rooftops

When Australian designer Martin Grant moved to a new loft apartment in Paris, he had wanted to create a private oasis on the top of the city with a blend of vintage design and modern art.

Paris, Martin’s hometown is the city of light and fashion. He had known from young age that he wants to live and work in a creative environment and began doing so as a child. As he grew older he began designing (and sewing) his own clothes, a hobby which eventually led him into the path that would make him an acclaimed fashion designer at Collins Street in Melbourne, where he also launched his first collection. For several years he was more than comfortable with the vibrant life that surrounded the fashion world he lived in, until one day he decided to study sculpture at The Victorian College of the Arts. This little detour did change his style and also his fashion collections.

In 1992 he moved to Paris after a few years in London where he further studied textilecraft. He became quite excited by the city and its life and opened his first studio in an old abandoned hospital in Montmartre, which is still a haunt for all sorts of artists and photographers.

“It was a great atmosphere there,”

says Martin, it reminded me a lot of Collins Street.

Later he moved to the Marais district, where the studio is now located on Rue Charlot. Not far away from his own home, the attic of a house from 1880 with a view of Paris. Marais has really become Martin’s home. Here he now has the places he frequents and, and where he feels at home:

– When I return from New York or London, Paris, seems more rural, and it’s actually nice.

Martin’s apartment is on the sixth floor – in the past, this was the maid’s quarters, now it’s a light and airy penthouse with beamed ceilings and a terrace. On the terrace, he has created an oasis of flowers, herbs, lavender and even a small olive tree. It is not just with fabric Martin has talent for, but also plants.

The apartment was in perfect condition when Martin moved up so he did not need to extensively renovate it. His particular style however is reflected in both in the interior and the clothes he creates. Both reflect his refined sense of texturesand volume as well as a choice of classic fabrics. Martin had filled the rooms with classical Scandinavian design pieces from the 50s. He had loved these pieces from his childhood, as the architect-designed glass house where Martin grew up was furnished with similar furniture.

Martin’s other love is browsing second hand shops, flea markets and antique shops, and he is happy to drag off anything he finds home.

– This chair I found in a trash container. One leg sticking up out of the rubble and when I managed to pull the it turned out that there was a Scandinavian design classics from the 50s,”

– he says cheerfully. Another of his passions is contemporary art – and the Marais area is known for its variety of galleries, offering great modern art from emerging young artists.

Martin has hung several contemporary works over the walls, like a couple of pictures from Rosslyn Piggot (made of palladium). One can also find works of Australian photographer and good friend Polly Borland around the flat: her portrait of Queen Elizabeth is hung in the hall and provides a striking focal point there.

The apartment is elegant with only a few subtle colors. The emphasis is rather on the beautiful details and exquisite fabrics, like silk curtains that contrasts with the heavier toll on the couch. The green of the curtains match the room’s accessories such as pillows and flowers. Martin draws inspiration from the paintings he sees and natural objects he spots during his walks on the beach:

I’ve just been at home in Australia and traveled to the north, near Broom. It was wonderful to just wander the beaches alone

says Martin, who despite his love for Paris still has its roots in Australia.

Photographer: Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer
Author: Julia Mincarelli
Translation: Eva Juhlin-Dannfelt

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