Interiors

Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen Craft a Room Around a Jean Cocteau Drawing

Using a favorite work as muse, these acclaimed designers curate the ultimate interior

January 15, 2021

A collage of eclectic furniture and decor including a sofa, chair, paintings, lamp, and a sculptural table.

The devastatingly sophisticated interiors conjured by Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen demonstrate their deep appreciation for old-world opulence updated with a flair for modern living. Although their firm, Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam, may be best known for ultra-luxe finishes and sumptuous fabrics, like their new line for Lee Jofa, Vergeylen demures: “I like elegance spoiled a little to make it livable.”

“This is my dream living in an urban setting,” he adds. “The palette is warm and fresh, and the black accents give it an edited look. I’m a collector and shopaholic. You give me this room for a few months and there would be tchockes everywhere, but I love the edited look. It’s beautiful for me.”

Two smiling men standing indoors, one in a suit and the other in a sweater, with neutral-colored curtains in the background. — Paolo Moschino (left) and Philip Vergeylen. Photo: Courtesy of Paolo Moschino & Philip Vergeylen

Drawing for Paris restaurant La Méditeranée’s mural (circa 1935) by Jean Cocteau. Photo: Courtesy of Paolo Moschino & Philip Vergeylen

Drawing for Paris restaurant La Méditeranée’s mural (circa 1935) by Jean Cocteau. “I must have 60 or 70 works by Jean Cocteau, and I think of them as line drawings and poetry all in one,” says Vergeylen.

Woven rattan pendant light with a circular, layered design hanging from a chain, giving a warm, natural aesthetic. — Photo: Courtesy of Currey & Company

Antibes chandelier by Currey & Company.

Black dresser with gold handles and accents, featuring two drawers and bamboo-style legs, against a white background. — Photo: Courtesy of Paolo Moschino & Philip Vergeylen

Chest of drawers by Jacques Adnet.

Abstract gold and white pattern resembling a cloudy sky or marble texture, with intricate swirling designs. — Photo: Courtesy of Paolo Moschino & Philip Vergeylen

Riviere wallpaper by Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam. “The fabric is mustard colored and is one of our latest options,” says Vergeylen. “It started as an accident: We had a house in the country, and we had a fabric in the dining room. After we had a leak there were watermarks on the curtains, and I liked how it looked.”

Tall brass floor lamp with a beige lampshade on a slender, artistic stand. — Stela standing lamp by Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam nicholashaslam.com Photo: Courtesy of Paolo Moschino & Philip Vergeylen

Stela standing lamp by Paolo Moschino for Nicholas Haslam. “It’s clearly influenced by Giacommetti,” says Vergeylen. “I was house sitting for Cecil Beaton, and one of the things in his collection of Giacommetti.”

Bronze sculpture of a fragmented male torso and shield, showcasing muscular detail on a smooth, polished surface. — Quirinus by Igor Mitoraj continiarte.com Photo: Courtesy of Contini Art Gallery

Quirinus by Igor Mitoraj. “I have been obsessed with this sculptor since François Mitterrand commissioned some of his sculptures for the Elysee,” says Vergeylen.

Modern metallic chair with cowhide cushion and abstract design against a plain background. — Photo: Courtesy of Galerie Yves Gastou

Coque armchair by Philippe Hiquily. “I love playing with contrasts,” says Vergeylen. “This chair is a sculpture. Good pieces of whatever age work well together.”