Alexandra Golovanoff opens the doors to her chic and vintage cocoon in Eure-et-Loir

Warm That’s the adjective that comes to mind when Alexandra Golovanoff opens the door to her home in Aire-et-Loire, all smiles. Dressed in jeans and her trademark cashmere sweater, she’s glowing, and we get the feeling she’s enjoying showing people around this place she fell in love with ten years ago. “We were having lunch with a friend who lives across the street, he says, and he asked us if we were tempted to visit this house for sale. We were clearly in. And there, pushing the door, it was for sure, it was for us. However, it will take more than two years to restore everything. “We also remodeled the space to suit our lifestyle,” says Alexandra.

The kitchen will be the object of all his attention, passing through the entrance hall, he greets the visitor. A large stained wooden table, a desk with candlesticks on it, an amazing wooden ball, florist vases painted black by him, match the modern and functional equipment; “I like the technical part of the kitchen to be clean,” she laughs, moving forward into the living room, which is occupied by a breathtaking sofa.

It’s called Alexandra… It was designed by architect Charles Zana. “I love Charles’ work and I asked him to create a sofa for my apartment in Paris. And he did. It has since been edited. After the work was finished, it seemed to me that it would be better here. I like a change of scenery. Nothing is set in stone for me. And indeed it is there, perfectly in its place. Its green color is reminiscent of trees and grass that can be seen from a French window. “For me, the decoration should start from the history of the place, its environment, interior and exterior should be connected,” he continues. I chose the furniture and objects according to the colors of the building, nature, light. This promotes harmony.’ What also underlines the charm is Alexandra’s obsession with used items.

A daughter of antiques, she scours the flea markets of Paul-Bert and Serpet in Saint-Ouen, frequents auction rooms and scours the Internet for her dream piece or allows herself to be charmed by unexpected finds on sites such as: Selency, Design Market, eBay or even Pro Antic. His sense of association is certain. in the living room, a 1970s table goes perfectly with the sofa. Arranged on the tray are all sorts of amazing travel souvenirs. An armchair by the window lets you read by the light of a stone owl by Albert Tormos. “I collect his lamps. In general, I love owls. they are synonymous with good vibes.”

Moreover, upstairs in the bedroom, a small owl, this time made of metal, is sitting on the pantyhose. In this sober space, enveloped by a large beam lit by an Italian chandelier, we feel it is good to laze in a eucalyptus wax-infused perfume created by Alexandra that evokes the Brittany provinces she loves. a lot.

The attached bathroom completes this peaceful atmosphere. From the free standing bathroom you can admire the garden. An antique rug covers the floor, while an old library staircase serves as a display of bottles. “I consider the bathroom to be a room in itself where you should be able to spend time,” insists Alexandra. Time, we would also like to have time to settle down in the living room, under the roof.

A proper bookcase, the only piece of furniture that isn’t vintage, sets the tone. here we are reading for a long time on a vintage sofa in a sixties series from the brand Cor. “This room is a cocoon. I have an office downstairs, but I can also come here to work on projects. I like to sit at the big wooden table. It’s a different atmosphere.” On this table Alexandra placed candlesticks and vases; “I find that the glass adds lightness to the wooden elements.” Undoubtedly, life in this house should be joyful and creative, and we would like to know all the secrets to creating this atmosphere. He will present them in a book to be published in 2023. But at the same time we follow his advice. “I just trust myself.”

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