By this time, which is almost mid-year actually, and at least half of it we’ve been spending in quarantine, many of us have already created a routine around the house, and how to use all this time on our hands. Surely enough, french artist Nathalie Lété has created her own routine.
She is getting through these difficult times by doing what she does best – painting. But what makes Nathalie’s coping mechanism unique is the canvas she chose for it — her country house. The doors, walls, staircases, and furniture—Nathalie is transforming all of it into a botanical wonderland.
“I bought Maison Atelier Suzanne three years ago,” Lété said. “It’s an hour away from Paris, in a little village next to the Loing river and the forest of Fontainebleau.”
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Credits: nathalie_lete
Nathalie’s idea for the house was to paint it white, like a blank page, and only then cover it with intricate floral patterns. “The first year we lived in a totally white house,” Lété explained. “I then started painting all of the details whenever I had the time. Now, due to the confinement, I’ve had two full months to focus on painting the walls.”
Credits: nathalie_lete
However, Nathalie didn’t stop there. “[I want] to not only do the walls, but also paint all the furniture, lamps, tiles, rugs, cushions, and other fabrics. To create a nest that’s totally filled with my art.”
Credits: nathalie_lete
Nathalie draws a lot of inspiration from folk art, especially the gorgeous houses in Zalipie, Poland, as well as the house of Maud Lewis and Charleston’s houses in England. “I also like the streets in the souk of Tangier, Morroco, which are painted by young teenagers simply to embellish the area.”
Credits: nathalie_lete
“I like the idea of embellishing very simple places and things, like a room or its furniture, just by adding a bit of color and naive motives,” Lété added.
The artist never decides what she will paint in advance; Nathalie enjoys the freedom that comes with spontaneity. “I do the work step by step, corner after corner, wall after wall. By doing so, I have the time to learn from my mistakes and avoid them later on the project,” she said, explaining that this approach grows her confidence in the whole process. “Even if I did something that I no longer like, there are no plans to rush, no stress, I can cover it the next day by simply painting over.”
Credits: nathalie_lete
“Just try to let your inner child guide you and forget perfectionism,” Nathalie advised everyone who’s thinking about trying something like this. “Paint simple flowers if you don’t consider yourself very talented, the most important thing is to allow yourself to feel pleasure from doing it.”
The artist uses acrylic paint to decorate her house. “Personally, I like working in naïve style, but some days I simply paint a picture that I saw in some book. It’s a joyful, mixed pattern,” Lété added. “My favorite colors are green and pink, and I often use these two in my palette.”
Credits: nathalie_lete
“After I painted my staircase, I realized just how much I enjoy going up and down the house all the time. Seeing all the colorful motifs all day brings me a lot of happiness! Every step inside shows dreamy, candy-color flowers blooming on the doors, walls, staircases, and furniture—as though it’s a cottage from a fairytale.”
Credits: nathalie_lete
Credits: nathalie_lete
Credits: nathalie_lete
Credits: nathalie_lete
Credits: nathalie_lete
Credits: nathalie_lete
Credits: nathalie_lete
People loved Nathalie’s house
