Extraordinary Collections by Marin Montagut

Extraordinary Collections: French Interiors, Flea Markets, Ateliers by Marin Montagut is a masterclass in the art of collecting – from artist’s palettes still freckled with oil paint, sculpted picture frames, to a menagerie of wooden toy animals – associating an accumulation of kindred objects is at the core of timeless French style.

The book is brimming with inspirational ideas and go to places in Paris for those seeking a soupcon of style for their own home. Gorgeous photos and illustrations, eye candy mood boards in every chapter, the book is an absolute visual feast. Marin’s philosophy is that a beautiful object has a story to tell and he takes you through the secret world of antique dealers, amateur collectors with passion, French culture and craftsmanship from folk art to glassware, ceramics and basketry.

French artist, designer, and talented antique hunter Marin Montagut celebrates the joy of collecting everything from textiles to barware to architectural details, taking readers inside a dozen private homes, flea markets, and unusual ateliers to discover the most whimsical treasure troves in France. Follow in the footsteps of a set designer, searching for film props, admire an array of leather sporting goods and playing cards, swoon at a travel buff’s vintage maps and globes (well I did!), and ogle a sculpture studio’s Grecian plaster casts and an amateur designer’s spiral staircase models. Marin highlights a series unforgettable interiors that radiate charm. And the section about Saint Ouen, the treasure trove flea markets of Paris is stuffed full of wonderful photos – from vintage cups and coffee grinders, specatcular copper jelly moulds, to beads and bakelite light switch covers and more.

Inspiration comes in repetition says Marin: wooden zigzag rulers with engraved numbers aligned on a wall in a herringbone pattern create an artful space. The spare wooden forms of capipotes – devotional statues used in religious processions, their eyes turned heavenward in ecstasy -and silver ex-votos can be the point of departure for the theme of an entire room.

An absolute joy to read and look at, this book is a smorgasbord of gorgeous images and enticing narrative. It will inspire you to rearrange your knickknack shelf, reorganise your ornaments and head to the flea markets of France to look for cultural treasures and start a collection!

This is a book to pick up and enjoy, over and over.

Marin Montagut is a French illustrator and designer; his Parisian boutique is dedicated to whimsical decorative objects. He is the author of Timeless Paris: Ateliers, Emporiums, Savoir Faire and co-author with Ines de la Fressange of Maison: Parisian Chic at Home. He has collaborated with brands including the Café de Flore, the Comédie-Française, Château de Versailles, Pierre Frey, and the Ritz Paris. Pierre Musellec is a lifestyle photographer; his work appeared in Timeless Paris and the magazines Faire and Milk.