Oitoemponto is a fashion design duo with headquarters in Porto, which works a lot and successfully in Europe. ELLE DECORATION visited the Paris apartments where the French office of Arthur Miranda and Jacques Beck is located

Living room. Sofa D70, designed by Osvaldo Borrani, Tecno. Sofa (left), designed by Otto Schultz, 1940s. Armchair, designed by Jean-Michel Frank. Lamps, designed by Tony Basilis. The base of the table was designed by the design studio Oitoemponto, table top, 1950s, designer Aldo Tura.

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Stephan Julliard / Tripod Agency

Designer Artur Miranda has always regretted that he was not born in Paris. He was more attached to this city than to his native Port. “The feeling I always feel when I arrive in Paris can be compared to falling in love,” he says. “My heart sinks into my heels, everything inside turns over for no reason. I first visited here when I was 19 years old. And even then I was amazed at how unusually the light falls on houses and on people’s faces and how careless and at the same time impeccable Parisians are in their choice of style.”

Living room. Capsule stool, designed by Herve van der Straten. The sculpture by the fireplace is the work of the artist Lucia Koch. Chandelier of the 1950s.

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Stephan Julliard / Tripod Agency

Designers Jacques Beck and Arthur Miranda.

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Stephan Julliard / Tripod Agency

Miranda grew up in Portugal. The bright colors characteristic of the local nature and architecture no longer inspired him, while the Parisian gray color — the shade of clouds, roofs and facades of houses — seemed something exotic and attractive. Longing for the French way of life forced him to return to Paris again and again.

During his next trip, he met the designer Jacques Bec. “It was in 1993, oddly enough, in a nightclub,” he says. “I immediately noticed how flawlessly Jacques’s jacket fits: this is the main indicator of good taste for me.”

Arthur and Jacques began working together and founded the design bureau Oitoemponto, whose main office is located in the Port.

Living room. A 1950s chest of drawers, Heywood Wakefield. Lamp, designed by Herve van der Straten. Curtains made of Rox & Fix fabric, designed by Josef Frank, Svenskt Tenn. On the wall is the work of photographer Solange Podell. The picture shows a model of Salvador Dali.

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Stephan Julliard / Tripod Agency

Beck has French roots, and the company conducts many projects in France. Therefore, it became necessary to open a branch in Paris. “Our former office in Paris was tiny — only 30 sq. m,” recalls Arthur. — This area was catastrophically insufficient, so we began to look for larger apartments. As a result, we settled on the option: 75 sq. m. m on the Left Bank.”

Another argument in favor of this place: the house is located on the way to Orly Airport, where all planes arrive from Porto, and this is the most frequent route for Oitoemponto. “Thinking over the interior, we dreamed of something very simple,” says Arthur. — We spend so much imagination on customers!”

Office. The sofa is made according to the sketches of the studio Oitoemponto. Armchair, Madeleine Kasten design, fabric upholstery, Robert Allen Design. Coffee table, vintage, designed by Paul Cadovius and Suzanne Migge. Lamp, 1950s, Maison Jansen. On the wall are works by artists Pedro Cabrita Reis and Jonathan Meze.

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Stephan Julliard / Tripod Agency

Parisian chic is the furniture by Jean—Michel Frank against the background of the perfectly white walls of the living room

On the coffee table in the living room there is a silver tray from Portugal, the beginning of the XIX century. The Hill vase, designed by Eric Schmitt.

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Stephan Julliard / Tripod Agency

The first thing the owners did was to paint the walls white (everywhere except the bathroom: here they are purple—blue) and put Jean-Michel Frank chairs. “His works are symbols of impeccable French taste,” says Jacques. — It is impossible to imagine an interior in Paris without them. But we did not limit ourselves to the French alone: in the setting you can see objects from Hervé Van der Straeten and Osvaldo Borsani.”

There is vintage furniture in almost every room. In addition, some of the objects were designed by the designers themselves, using brass, leather and rosewood finishes.

Bedroom. The wall behind the headboard is lined with mirror panels. Bedside tables, vintage, Heywood Wakefield. The lamps of the 1950s were bought in America. Bedspread, Hermès. Pillows, Philippe Parent Studio. Bed linen, Frette.

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Stephan Julliard / Tripod Agency

The cramped living room is perfect for the format of a French party, where everyone elbows

The console in the bedroom is made to order, the base is made of brass. Suitcase, Louis Vuitton, 1980s. Floor mirror, vintage, design by Robert Lekal. On the wall is the work of photographer Vanessa Beecroft.

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Stephan Julliard / Tripod Agency

Looking at the details, you notice a lot of curious little things like a jar of Yves Klein Blue paint and a miniature figure of Queen Elizabeth II. “Every little thing reminds us of pleasant moments in life: meeting friends, going to the flea market together,” says Arthur. “We don’t collect things, we collect memories.”

Another treasure of the owners is a collection of modern art: paintings, sculptures and photographs. For example, in the lobby, the eye rests on the work of “Elizabeth Taylor” by the artist Russell Young (Russell Young). “Every time you open the door, such a gorgeous reception awaits you,” says Arthur. — I am also particularly fond of the collage of fragments of the carpet by the artist René Roche (René Roche). We never take it to the dry cleaners, we blow off dust particles from it.”

Hall. There is a lamp on the console, designed by Bruno Gambon. On the wall is the work “Elizabeth Taylor” (And if a Double Decker Bus Crashes into us) by artist Russell Young

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Stephan Julliard / Tripod Agency

There are secret doors in almost every apartment. We disguised them with mirror panels

Bathroom. On the wall are the works of photographer Francois Mitterrand.

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Stephan Julliard / Tripod Agency

The layout of the apartment has not changed. “We only disguised the secret door in the bedroom with mirrored panels,” says Arthur. “It is located behind the headboard of the bed and leads to the study. In the future, of course, we dream of a more spacious living room, in which up to forty guests can gather, and there is enough space for a maximum of five or six people. On the other hand, we like the format of a French party, when guests are elbowing each other all evening, and in the end they become like water.”

Dressing room. Chest of drawers and mirror, Knoll. The lamp is made according to the sketches of the studio Oitoemponto. The mirror in a gilded frame was bought at a flea market in Paris.

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Stephan Julliard / Tripod Agency

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