“1919” porcelain carafe finished in real gold, paired with stackable TULP glasses, ~$310.
Sleek, defined lines. Strong, functional forms. Bold, minimalist shapes. Clean, pertinent colors. This is the palette for your pad, your house in the woods, or wherever you have set your stake in the sand. Yes, your abode is your comfort zone. So who knew that to really give it the masculine decor aesthetic you’ve been looking for, it called for a woman’s touch? To be more specific: Murieke, a new luxury line of interior design accessories hailing from Paris. Murieke is a coquin of a brand, flirting with its masculine and feminine sides and ultimately achieving a perfect balance of strength and form with re-imagined classic luxury.
Also: The Magical Furnishings Of Moooi
The current lookbook features a manifold of pieces for the kitchen and dining room. With almost contemporary art flare, it strikes the international market with a Renaissance attitude towards the way we eat and drink, pose our dining utensils on the table, or simply dress a lounge with garnishes to make it look more alive and wholesome. Shapes are geometric, almost like spaceships taken from the pages of Elon Musk’s scribbling pad. White is not simply white. It is a white bursting from the pristine texture and fabrication of Limoges porcelain. Gold is drizzled delicately to form edges and lines along a product.
The “Orion” pot, in fine extra-white Limoges porcelain, made in France, ~$90.
These are not simply cups or flasks, bowls or dishes. These are the pieces you would imagine in a flat where a man dresses well, eats well, and lives well. So we sat down with Murieke visionary Muriel Launay for a glimpse into her universe of chic, imaginative pieces for the home.
CRAVE: What is the origin story of Murieke? How did you come to create the line?
Muriel Launay: “Murieke” has just emerged, but the project was born concretely about 2 years ago.
I felt more and more the need to create for me, after creating a long time for others. I wanted to make all the decisions alone, from A to Z; to decide to place the cursor where I wanted, without having to make any compromises, and in so doing assume all the consequences. I wanted to choose artisans or manufacturers with whom I would be working, the aesthetic choices, etc. This had to be very personal, but also from high quality with beautiful finishes. It was important to be proud of my work for this new adventure.
Creating a brand is ultimately a manifesto for life. It’s a fight. One decides not to choose the easy way. That path, one never regrets.
How does the Murieke line fit into today’s modern man’s home?
The first pieces that I designed are largely inspired by the Bauhaus. I absolutely love the aesthetics of this period, so modern, even today. I love the elegance of simplicity, and I wanted things to be even more graphic and more raw than what I usually create. I knew I was in an undoubtedly more masculine register. And I assumed as much, even though the boundaries between genres are fading.
“Ming-ô” vase, in fine extra-white Limoges porcelain, made in France, ~$220.
Men are becoming more and more confident in their personal style choices, but they still lag behind sometimes when it comes to decorating their flat. What are some basics a man can take into consideration when filling his space with accessories and functional items?
I am drawing more and more of a parallel between interior design and couture: wearing a very beautiful, perfectly cut jacket can radically change your day. It remains a real investment sometimes, but you simply feel better. For an interior, it is the same. The objects you choose to surround yourself will influence you. So for me one should not hesitate to invest in one or two good quality pieces that you really like, and which will provide you with pleasure every time you see them.
Have you ever walked into a space and immediately thought it was a design nightmare? How do you create items that give a sense of life and identity to a home? Where does the inspiration come from?
Not really, to appreciate or to not appreciate is so subjective and I’m not in the value judgment. For me, an interior is a very personal alchemy which should reflect the personality of a person and so it can not please everyone. I love bold choices, strong bias, of any kind.
Besides, I often draw objects from an interior I see, from an atmosphere in which I project myself, “What would I see in an interior like this …? ” It’s funny because it’s quite often a rather masculine interior. I love brown, bleak tones and sleek interiors with beautiful materials.
Everything inspires me actually: magazines, exhibitions, the internet, and all areas– not just the design, architecture, sculpture, art. Whether past or present, all sorts of images feed me.
“Hermes” bowl, in fine extra-white Limoges porcelain, made in France. Coming soon.
What should we be looking for in the future from Murieke? Any exciting news or projects to be on the lookout for?
Yes, the brand has only just begun. But I hope to quickly release other projects that are already ready. And I would love to be able to work with more materials than extra white Limoges porcelain, such as metal and wood. I am beginning to look for providers in this sector. And next year, there will be the Maison & Objet fair in Paris if all goes well.
As for now I’m all alone. Everything takes a bit longer. But that’s what’s exciting!
Murieke isn’t only in the home, it’s on Instagram and Facebook. Be sure to cast an eye on its various social media networks to see what latest surprises emerge.
