In Mauritius, furnishing and decorating the interior and exterior, finding the right, innovative materials for floors, walls and lighting… has long been a daunting task, given the lack of retail outlets! Today, the island is brimming with local and international addresses that are pioneers in the field and hot spots for new decorating trends!
Delphine Raimond
Indoor design
Builders, developers, contractors and architects are all vying with each other to design homes that are modern, practical, comfortable, contemporary and eco-responsible. Leaving aside the structural and finishing companies, let’s zoom in on those involved in the finishing phase. The materials and decorative elements we choose authenticate the character of our home, sweet home.
Floor and wall coverings are fundamental to the personalization of the home. In this field, a plethora of suppliers meet every need: from paints – decorative, textured, specialized – from local manufacturer Sofap, a representative of major brands and committed to sustainable development, to XXL porcelain, ceramic, mosaic and tile pieces fromEntrepôt de la Pierre (September LGM issue), via Cemtech, which has made waxed concrete its flagship product. With twenty-five years’ experience under its belt, this Mauritian company boasts a level of expertise of which the country has no reason to be ashamed. While the raw, industrial look of cement complements any type of interior design, it even integrates it, as furniture and other concrete creations can now dress up our spaces. My favorite are the Brooklyn bricks, handmade here in the spirit of a New York loft. Or the infinite choice of cement tiles – the largest collection in Mauritius. Derived from centuries-old craft traditions, they are true works of art. Made from earth, sand and natural pigments, they require no firing or chemicals, and are therefore environmentally friendly. From urban design to old-fashioned motifs, they fit in with any project and decorate all or part of your surfaces. As for Marble & Stones, its seventeen-year presence on the island has made the company one of the market leaders in the robust composite stone that brings our kitchens and bathrooms to life. The design of its range of basins and bathtubs is inspired by reassuring curves or graphic, contemporary lines. The fine craftsmanship of its vases, pots and outdoor jars has won over not only individuals, designers and architects in the region, but also many luxury hotels in the Indian Ocean. 100% local, the manufacturing process favors short circuits and takes care of our carbon footprint. A special mention for the pebble table and its mineral, organic look.
What better room than the kitchen to reflect our personality? The nerve center of the home, it is adorned with the latest trends and ever more functional and ingenious equipment, to serve everyone’s lifestyle! As far as I’m concerned, it’s now impossible not to find what you’re looking for when it comes to kitchens in Mauritius. Among them, the chic and refinement ofUnique Concept, present alongside us in October and this month, but also the world of Raison Home, represented locally by professional kitchen designer Mathieu Audiger. Sleek, modern, inventive and clever, his creations blend in with your surfaces and adapt to all your kitchen and bathroom projects. Mathieu’s solid experience also gives him expertise – much appreciated in the region – in interior fittings and dressing rooms. When storage and organization combine space optimization and aesthetics, made-to-measure really does have style!
Lighting and decorating the space
Interior lighting is an essential but delicate phase. We all have in mind what we’d like to project into the real world, to embellish corners, sublimate decor and transcend colors! A specific atmosphere; an ingenious system discovered in a hotel room; the image of a soft, ambient light; suspended lights here… spotlights there, for a modern, discreet yet effective look… Instead of trends, I’d say that when it comes to lighting, it’s all a question of taste… and of falling in love! Specialized in this field since 2006, Metalite works with a host of architects and designers in Mauritius, the Maldives and Seychelles, Madagascar and East Africa. Combining cement, resin, metal, glass and wood, Metalite’s bespoke pieces stimulate the imagination of leading international designers and are featured in numerous exhibitions. As part of its commitment to respecting the environment, the company prioritizes product durability.
What’s more, many decorating addresses offer veritable jewels of lighting. Floor lamps, wall sconces and pendants are retro, contemporary or classic, dressed in elegant, natural materials such as wicker, rattan, bamboo, wood, linen, jute, paper… or incorporate metal and wrought iron, for a resolutely contemporary, industrial touch. Ever more sustainable, lighting fixtures are becoming solar-powered, bulbs LED, materials organic.
Euphoria: the art of transforming your living spaces
In 2017, Virginie Dalais and Eric Grenouilleau founded Euphoria, Home Styling Store, with the aim of democratizing interior design. “We firmly believe that your home environment can have a significant impact on your well-being, which is why we’re committed to creating warm, welcoming and comfortable living spaces,” Eric breathes to me. The Mont Choisy Mall showroom certainly defines the island spirit, with its conviviality and soft, relaxing comfort. “We don’t just sell furniture and decor, we sell an enhanced living experience, personalized service that’s responsible and mindful of your tastes and needs, solutions tailored to your lifestyle. These are the core values of Euphoria that guide our every action, to transform your home into a sanctuary of happiness and style.” In addition to its own creations, Euphoria exclusively represents prestigious brands that meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability. Weylandts, Gervasoni, Dareels, Kenneth Cobonpue and many others sign innovative designs that blend modern, vintage and timeless elements…
Macumba is certainly the benchmark, in its style, for longevity. Three decades of presence are clear proof of the local trust placed in the brand, a pioneer in the Mauritian decor sector. Founder Catherine Giraud – featured in this month’s portrait – doesn’t “pretend to furnish a house from A to Z, but rather to offer objects and pieces in limited numbers that give character to contemporary, standardized spaces.” When it comes to trends, Catherine reveals that she has never followed any. “Just because powder pink is fashionable doesn’t mean I’m going to start doing powder pink! I follow my heart, my feelings, my tastes… I imagine that people need softness – this isn’t New York! But that’s all subjective, of course!
Opened in mid-October in Pointe aux Canonniers and founded by a Franco-Italian, Lacalita is halfway between an Ali Baba’s cave and a decorating museum; a mine of decorating and gift ideas! Singular Christmas trees made of silver or gold wire take pride of place in the window and catch my eye, even before I enter the showroom. Several spaces for a succession of successful atmospheres, where my eyes land everywhere! Indus” furniture, seats of all styles and coverings, statues, rugs, hats, bags and clutches, lights, candlesticks, mirrors and other unique pieces – illustrations of contemporary art – play with colors, shapes and inspirations from elsewhere… Bed and table linens come in a range of ecru, earth, brick and linen colors… Stéphanie’s candles are also available (see Local Color of the Month), and outside, a universe that invites contemplation and curiosity, given the decorative, sculpted and mysterious wooden doors… This is a place to discover!
Established since 2021 in Rivière Noire, Expressions Métis has just opened in Pointe aux Canonniers. Mary, the passionate founder, lives half the year in Bali, to be at the heart of “what’s being done”. Her pleasure is to be as close as possible to the artisans, to unearth what you can’t see anywhere else. In her boutiques, everything comes from Indonesia, because most of the world’s products are produced there, but many of the designers she selects are European. Like the Bali-based Italian designer of an original teak coffee table topped with a rope, whose yarns, tested and inspected in Europe, are woven in Indonesia. Or a Dutchman who grew up in this Asian country, before attending a design school and launching his own collection there, including an ultra-trendy chair… all in rattan. Far from its old-fashioned, synthetic look, the material is back with a vengeance, in new, modern shapes and shades, even skinless, giving it a raw, even more natural look. “We can’t call it a trend, but rather a comeback. Today, rattan is part and parcel of our interiors, and it’s normal to find it in a contemporary home!” says Mary. Rattan is used for lighting fixtures and headboards, goes perfectly with teak and is much less expensive. A few local creations also caught my eye… some very nice surprises!
Alongside Camille, one of her collaborators, Shenaz welcomes me to her home, in this former distillery in Goodlands, bought almost sixteen years ago, gradually rehabilitated into a living space and crowned in 2015 by the foundation of a temple of design and decoration: Ekla. A showroom with multiple spaces where you can wander, marvel and drink in the history of each piece, its origins and manufacturing secrets. An art gallery featuring eclectic collections sourced from the four corners of the globe. An unusual venue for events and exhibitions… Ekla is everything and much more! Lighting fixtures, rugs, tableware and singular creations from the imaginations of renowned European designers blend with local works, such as those by interior designer Daniel de Robillard. Imagined, designed and crafted in Mauritius, they sublimate walnut wood, ceramics and marble. They feature graphic, vegetal and organic motifs, and are made of rope, marquetry or… soliflores in a trunk! Diana de Marigny’s enduring sculptures in ebony reveal themselves in the material. While the weaving of Nanimarquina carpets, a benchmark for responsible design, expresses the know-how of India and Nepal, kilims with contemporary motifs derived from natural pigments bear witness to the traditional work of Afghan women. The linen is available in trendy colors, whose names are a journey… Saffron, peacock blue, verdigris, storm, ultramarine… “. Our selection is made with the idea of marrying styles and eras, preserving a part of our heritage, our grandmothers’ pieces, to mix them with modern design and conceptualize a timeless spirit!”, Shenaz confides to me. Renewed every three months, the next collection arrives at the end of November; I can’t wait to discover it!
Enhancing theoutdoors
It’s no secret that a host of brands offer Maurice a choice of outdoor furnishings to suit every space, taste and budget. So let’s get ready for summer! Plaisir du Jardin, which opened four years ago, has made trends its niche, offering an impressive range – most of it in stock – of garden furniture and indoor and outdoor décor items that are increasingly innovative, original and trendy. Vanessa, Eve and Maxime, the manager, welcome us and advise us with a mastery of the subject that has shaped the reputation of the premises. Already brimming with new products, the showroom will see the delivery next March of items unearthed internationally: vases, serving trays, portable or connected solar lamps with Bluetooth speaker, a collection of outdoor rugs – flagship products for years – and paintings, among others. While Fatboy and Fermob connected lights remain the brand’s big hit, anything colorful works very well in Mauritius. “Gardeco vases, made of thick, colored, mouth-blown glass, are true works of art signed by the Brazilian designers of the Seguso family, who cut their teeth in Murano,” adds Vanessa.
At Moodesign, which needs no introduction (LGM editions September and October), teak is design! Its range of indoor and outdoor furniture, carefully selected by Isabelle, combines aesthetics and conviviality. Her Oyat French braziers embody the art of gathering and sharing.
Our list is not exhaustive, of course; it’s up to you to discover the many suppliers able to enhance your gardens, terraces and gazebos…
Interview with Sandrine Fanchette, General Manager of Roche Bobois Mauritius and South Africa.
What are customers looking for in furnishings and decoration in Mauritius?
Products that make a difference, made from noble materials that respect nature. Unique, created by great designers and with a real history. They want less furniture, more beautiful pieces and more durability. Sofas that are easy to live with, evolving or modular. Outdoor models as comfortable as indoorsofas…
Roches Bobois 2024 trends?
According to the information we’ve received so far, we’ll still be working with very organic shapes. Green will still be on show, in perhaps different versions. Specialists are talking about the return of prints, as well as “80s” furniture.
How often do you renew your in-store collections?
Very regularly! We import containers to Mauritius every 2 or 3 weeks on average. They are a mix of customer orders, new products for the store and a buffer stock of our best-sellers.
Exactly what are these bestsellers that are always in stock?
Strangely enough, both globally and locally, they are often similar! Our fabric sofas, Préface, Itinéraire… or in leather, Envergure, but also our Cigale and Alliage tables or Ovni and Evol, in low versions.
Who are your manufacturers?
Our factories are spread across Europe: France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and one in England. Only our rugs are made in Asia, but their design and quality control are carried out in Europe. Some forty factories, between furniture and accessories, offer our customers one of the widest product ranges on the market, including made-to-measure products for our rather upmarket positioning. We comply with the strictest ecological regulations.
Every year Roche Bobois monde launches a special operation on certain products. What are they?
Currently in Mauritius, special prices are available for Bubble, Sense sofas and Cigale tables.
Tell us about your plant paintings…
All over the world, the brand highlights its stabilized, customizable plant walls, combining different plants and mosses, drained of their sap, as if fossilized. Made to order in Europe, these very special works of art, which can reach extraordinary dimensions, can be delivered within 3 to 4 months.
And 3D printing…
In 2020, Roche Bobois achieved a world first in the furniture industry: a base designed in concrete using a 3D printer – a process notably exploited in architecture. The Corail table was imagined by designers Antoine Fritsch & Vivien Durisotti, before being captured by this marvel of technology. In a continuous movement from bottom to top, the digitally controlled nozzle from the giant printer deposits a snake of concrete that hardens as it is superimposed, and then again over a period of twenty days. With its shape evoking polyphorous mushrooms embedded in trees, corals on their reefs or enormous baroque shells, Corail is above all a superb object inspired by the beauty of natural imperfection, which gives free rein to the imagination of the person who adopts it. These works can be customized in shape, size, relief effect…
