Жизнь в ритме Средиземноморья: как путешествия, кулинария и книги формируют интерьер и философию жизни

My home is the place I love, because it’s where imagination gives way to real life. It’s beautiful, but, above all, it is filled with my family, laughter and memories. The room I love above all others is the kitchen. I’m passionate about cooking, so it’s naturally the heart of my home. A big range cooker is indispensable. It’s where I create, entertain and bring everyone together. My signature scent is orange blossom mixed with old wood, beeswax and fresh flowers. The last thing I bought and loved is a pair of handmade wicker birdhouses for my garden. This year, dozens of swallows made their nests around the house, and seeing them return to them every day was one of the most magical experiences of the season. No party is complete without music, candlelight and people who end up dancing barefoot. In bed, I always wear pyjamas. I’m obsessed with them. I collect beautiful sets in the softest fabrics and with playful patterns, and I even have an antique Chinese cupboard in my bedroom dedicated to my collection. There’s no better way to end the day. My dream dinner party guests would be Renzo Mongiardino [the late architect and interior designer], to hear him talk about his extraordinary vision of interiors and his ability to create worlds through decoration. Edgar Morin [the late philosopher], for his profound philosophy of life and his belief that ‘life is only bearable when we bring into it not utopia, but poetry’ – through joy, celebration, love and shared experiences. Gilles Clément [the gardener and botanist], for his visionary thinking on nature and our relationship with the living world. And Peggy Guggenheim [the late art collector], for her fearless freedom and wonderfully eccentric way of living surrounded by art. My party piece is probably my sense of humour. I have a slightly mischievous side and love making people laugh. I think a great dinner party is one where everyone leaves with a smile. My signature dish is one that allows me to take a humble ingredient and reinvent it in unexpected ways. Lately, my vegetable garden has been overflowing with courgettes, so I have been exploring every possible way to cook them – from an incredible courgette pasta to delicate courgette carpaccio. I adore experimenting in the kitchen, especially by discovering flavours and techniques from different cultures. In my fridge, you’ll always find fresh herbs, lemons, good butter, Parmesan and champagne. The last places I visited were Taormina, Saint-Paul de Vence, the Giens Peninsula and Mykonos – this past month has been something of a whirlwind. It felt like a breeze of Mediterranean air, with each place revealing its own character, culture and rhythm. The best souvenir is a book. I always come home from my travels with a suitcase full of them, even though they’re incredibly heavy to carry. For me, they keep the spirit of a place alive long after I’ve returned home. My capsule wardrobe consists of a simple satin dress layered with a delicate tulle top, stacks of necklaces and flat shoes (always – I’m tall). The best book I have read this year is Femme Portant un Fusil [Woman Carrying a Rifle] by Sophie Pointurier. It’s a powerful and beautifully written novel about freedom, sisterhood and the courage to reinvent ourselves. On my playlist right now is Mylène Farmer’s Désenchantée. It instantly makes me want to sing at the top of my lungs and dance like nobody is watching. The one piece of furniture I couldn’t do without is a dining table. It’s where you share meals with family and friends, play cards, draw, work, celebrate and create memories. Children hide underneath it and invent endless adventures. It’s the one place where almost every moment of life happens; the only thing you can’t really do on it is sleep. I have recently discovered the beauty of slowing down and observing nature – it is an endless source of inspiration. I would have liked to have been born during the Belle Époque in Paris, with its extraordinary artistic freedom – and if possible mixed in with the glamour of the 1970s. My interior style is most influenced by the dialogue between cultures, craftsmanship, travel and storytelling. The one experience that continually inspires me is reading. Every book is a journey, and I always find inspiration in the stories, ideas and worlds they reveal.