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August 23, 2015

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Home » Sunday » Home and Design

A-list designer always goes with his intuition

Source: Shanghai Daily | August 23, 2015, Sunday | Print Edition

WHO is he?

Baptiste Bohu is a French interior and product designer who opened his studio in Shanghai seven years ago and launched his first lifestyle collection in 2014. He graduated from business school and studied in the UK, Australia and the USA before coming to Shanghai. Initially he was going to pursue a career in the business world, his passion for design finally made him change his mind. Drawings houses and interiors from a very early age, he said he always had a strong interest for design and architecture.

He started with architectural projects and finally went to interior design specializing in high-end residential projects and some commercial projects such as restaurants or boutique hotels. Quickly he attracted an A-list clientele.

He was recently selected in the AD100 list, listing the 100 most influential architects and designers.

Tell us about some of your works and the one you are most proud of.

I have recently completed a project in Xintiandi named PREE. Its very graphic and uses my black, white and gold signature. There is also 7017, a NYC type of restaurant in a lofty industrial style space in People’s Square. Most of my projects however are private villas or apartments in Shanghai, Beijing, Wuhan or Wuxi. I am very proud of the projects when the owner really feels at home. The challenge with residential projects is to create a space in which people feel at home.

Are you currently involved with any project?

I am currently involved on seven projects, which is a lot since we are a small team. I have some very exciting projects such as a boutique hotel on Chongming Island, which will be completed around October. I’m also working on three beautiful villas, a restaurant, a showroom, and a mansion in Beijing.

Describe your design style.

My style is very eclectic and somehow people tell me “Oh, that is so BB Style.” BB is my brand name and short for Baptiste Bohu. I myself cannot really tell what “my” style is since I always go with intuition. However I know that I am deeply influenced by French interiors that I love to remodel into a new cool way. I am all about contrasts so I love to mix old and new, Chinese and French, premium and rough materials. I love details and decoration so I cannot do minimalist interiors.

Where are you most creative?

I am more creative at night, wherever I am. It comes suddenly from what I saw during the day. I suddenly feel like drawing. I work most of the time in my home office. Listening to music helps me a lot, and I listen to any types of music from British rock to classical and electro. Art is also an inspiration for me. To be creative you need to feel calm and let your brain be opened to anything and any influences, that’s why I think it is easier at night because it is quiet, no pressure, and no phone calls.

What does your home mean to you?

Home is extremely important to me. First my astrological sign is Cancer which is defined by people for whom home is everything. Second, I am very design sensitive so I need to feel very comfortable in my home with objects I like. Third, I live far away from my family and my country so my home in Shanghai is even more important, it’s my heaven.

What do you collect?

I am not a collector of one specific item, I buy objects very randomly. For instance, the way I design my own house is not the way I design homes for clients. I buy randomly what I like, from an expansive mirror to a very cheap old table that I find in the street and will renovate. I have a big affection for old objects and furniture because of their history and the amazing craftsmanship.

What will be the next big design trend?

Internationally, the trend is to go simpler and authentic, using rough materials such as bamboo or rattan and used in a simple and natural way. It is more ethnic and going back to origins. China is a bit different and I think the trend is an opening to other cultures. So far, design has been a bit restricted in China between typical Chinese or “European” styles. Now people tend to have a wider view of design and are more open to other influences.

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