Loire Design Lab - Chapter 1: The Beginning

The Birth of the Loire Design Lab

You know that moment when an idea takes hold of your mind and refuses to let go? It becomes a constant companion, a happy distraction that beckons you to dream. For us, this is how the Loire Design Lab came into being.

This project has been years in the making, evolving through various iterations. We’re calling this version the beta, with future installments and interpretations on the horizon. At its core, the Loire Design Lab is about preserving a historic structure and infusing it with new life, thoughtfully avoiding harmful materials and chemicals. The laboratory aspect was born from our desire to experiment with both ancient and innovative materials and products. This hands-on approach allows us to share our firsthand experiences with clients, peers, and vendors.

In the fall of 2022, we decided to start house hunting in the Loire Valley the following summer. France was always part of the plan, given our international background and MAREDI Design’s origins in Chicago, with a French expansion in mind. The French-born half of our team grew up in the Anjou region, making it the perfect location for us for more than one reason: proximity to our former city of residence, Paris (2-hour train ride), the bucolic surroundings and access to nature, the organic food and wine scene…and the overall peacefulness and serenity we felt (also known at the “douceur Angevine”).

We embarked on our search with a mix of naivety and excitement, unsure of what to expect. Our preparation involved creating a detailed document outlining our must-haves and nice-to-haves, complete with architectural imagery and historical elements. We spent many afternoons driving around, scouting out different villages between Angers and Saumur, daydreaming of a little house on a hill with a beautiful view of the river. We envisioned a rural countryside setting, but fate had other plans.

During a visit to our local French notaire, we learned about a property for sale along the Loire River, right in the town center. Initially, it didn’t match our criteria, but curiosity got the better of us. We decided to take a look, and that’s when everything changed. The exterior was captivating, and we knew we had to see the interior.

The next day, we visited the property, and despite the patchwork renovations, the house had incredible bones. It was one of those moments where you just know. Our imaginations took over, and that detailed document of criteria faded into the background. And so, the Loire Design Lab began to take shape, a testament to the power of letting ideas evolve and embracing the unexpected.