Port Noir
Honfleur, France — 2016
Frederic Forest has been invited by Christophe Delcourt and Jerome Aumont to creat a series of paintings and drawings for their private nest. A jewel of Normandy, a mecca for tourism and relaxation, the picturesque town of Honfleur stretches over entire streets of cobbled alleys and traditional half-timbered houses. In the Sainte Catherine district, the most typical of the town, one storefront stands out from the others: an old shop with an Art Deco façade invested by Jérôme Aumont, former editor-in-chief of Maison Française magazine, and Christophe Delcourt, designer and interior architect. “Honfleur is first and foremost a beautiful postcard, the cobbled streets have a crazy charm,” explains Jérôme, originally from Normandy. During a weekend, it was his partner’s turn to fall under the spell of the port town. They chose to set up their country home in this old shop found at the bend of a quiet alley. “In the evening, once the tourists have left, it is absolutely calm,” continues Jérôme. “Without the inconveniences of an isolated house in the countryside.”
A two-story terraced house, the former brick shop with a wrought iron frontage has been completely renovated. “The interior was frankly very ordinary, with the flaws of these small village houses, which are dark and have fairly low ceilings,” recalls Jérôme. These flaws have been skillfully transformed into character traits: the couple chose to alternate between muted colors, like those of the period walls, and light wood, spotted in particular on the staircase and on the headboard, a surprising touch of modernity in the master bedroom. Some period details have been preserved, such as the original parquet floors or the imposing fireplace. The hushed and minimalist atmosphere, where glass, metal, wood and leather blend with a restrained sensuality, is the perfect playground for the couple’s design collections, a celebration of French craftsmanship.