10 Questions with Nicolas Roux

Discover the story of Rive Gauche, our design philosophy and how the company has evolved since its inception – into a luxury design studio delivering an end-to-end property service for some of the world’s most discerning clientele.

What was the start of your journey?

My love of design and craftsmanship goes back to my childhood in the French countryside, and from the age of seven spending time with my father in his workshop. He was a Master Carpenter and Joiner and he taught me that it takes extreme skill and a deep-routed understanding of the material to realise a piece of furniture. That sense of pride and passion for his craft is something I’ve always carried with me. For my father, client satisfaction was a priority – and seeing how he handled his customer relationships, built on integrity and transparency, informs my work to this day

Why did you set up Rive Gauche? 

I worked for a few years in Paris as a designer and project manager, and when I initially moved to London in 2005 I only intended to stay for a year. However, there’s something about London that drew me in and inspired me – and when I started a family, it became the place in which I wanted to put down roots. I was fortunate to work with globally renowned interior designers and developers Candy & Candy and Terence Conran, honing my craft and developing a deep understanding of how property development and design changes across different cultures. London has some of the most outstanding luxury properties in the world and the market for those properties is very strong, and this inspired me. So, after 10 years, I decided to start my own interior design company. Rive Gauche was born of a desire to combine everything I had learned about development and project management with the artisan approach and eye for detail that is my heritage.

And why the name ‘Rive Gauche’?

My French roots are important to me and I wanted a name that would reflect my identity. Rive Gauche is the southern bank of the River Seine in Paris, where creatives, writers and artists, such as Leo Ferré, Jean-Paul Sartre, Artur Rimbaud among others, have always gone to meet like-minded people, share ideas and challenge convention. Today, it’s home to many art galleries and creative businesses; I spent a lot of time there and it left a strong impression on me. Therefore, the name seemed the perfect fit for my vision of a company that would deliver an avant-garde client experience.

How has Rive Gauche evolved since its inception?

I started Rive Gauche from my bedroom with a vision to deliver an unforgettable client experience based on trust, authenticity and transparency. This vision remains unchanged, but what has evolved is our capability and the sheer scale of those projects. Now we are working on everything from luxury private residences and residential developments to boutique hotels; exciting projects that are taking us all over the world. Everyone in my in-house team has a minimum of six years’ experience in the luxury property market. And between them, we now offer a wide range of skills and talents from undertaking feasibility studies for projects and architecture to project management and couture interior design. We also work with a network of partners and professionals in the financial, legal and property sourcing industries. So, the Rive Gauche of today offers a true end-to-end service that far exceeds the scope of my original vision for a luxury interior design company, as we undertake projects both at home in the UK and internationally. Though our pursuit of excellence remains unchanged.

What defines Rive Gauche?

When a client comes to Rive Gauche, they can be completely confident that their project is in expert hands and they don’t have to worry about any aspect. My aim is to deliver intelligent designs that encompass the precision and technical knowledge of my team, delivering unified expertise from creativity to construction. I want to ensure that every project is finished with uncompromising quality and superior attention to detail; blending French elegance with British luxury. We also pride ourselves on our wholly pragmatic approach to costs, retaining a keen awareness of budget regardless of the scale of the project. And at the heart of everything is the client journey – this is golden to me. I am committed to delivering an unprecedented service that is solely focused on the client. Just as my father did, I want to offer a genuine experience that is based on trust, authentic relationships and a personal, bespoke service that exceeds our clients’ needs and requirements. We select our projects carefully to ensure I can give each my personal attention and be the one dedicated point of contact.

What sets the Rive Gauche experience apart?

We begin every project by meeting and listening to what a prospective client wants to achieve, their vision and aspirations, as well as budget and objectives. For a project to work, it’s important that we connect with our client on a personal and creative level. Design is very personal so it’s important to know each other well and establish a relationship built on transparency and trust. Before embarking on the aesthetic elements of any project, however, we review and give our honest advice on the practical aspects. We conduct feasibility studies into any risk, planning challenges, value-added potential, development budget, programme and project structure. This sets our clients’ expectations and is the foundation of all key decisions for the project. I believe this is a very important step and one that sets us apart from our competition.

How does the project unfold after this?

Once we have established our client’s expectations, the creative process begins, developing 3D drawings that consider the space, volume and light. Then, we work on the architectural language of the exterior and interior, and the design narrative. We are obsessed with details and invest a huge amount of our time during this stage testing our ideas in 3D. Finally, we consider furniture and finishes – but inspiration constantly changes, as we search for new suppliers, finishes and materials to fuel our creativity. Once all of this is achieved and agreed on – and the project plan is in place – only then does the build begin. We coordinate, procure and manage the full construction process looking after the cost, programme and making sure that our vision is delivered to perfection.

Who are your clients?

We work with international ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI), who are looking to invest in property either in the UK or overseas but who don’t have the time to oversee a project. They are often looking to maximise on their investment in a relatively short amount of time and we are able to offer them a turnkey service that fulfils all their requirements and expectations. We also work with clients who are seeking to create a luxury residence for their family, and for them we can craft their home from conception to completion. Among our corporate clients, we number large developers who are looking for efficient delivery of luxury multi-unit developments and branded developments. We also provide couture design schemes for five-star hotels, creating distinctive narratives that are carried throughout.

What is your design philosophy?

Our design philosophy is to achieve the perfect balance between simplicity, refinement and emotion. We look to solve complex problems with a straightforward and elegant solution. And this philosophy feeds into every project we undertake, whether it is a five-star hotel, a private villa or a chair – our passion is consistent.

What is your vision for the next five years?

I want the company to be known and recognised for its creativity, dedication and ability to deliver visionary projects of the highest quality. It will be known as the real-estate partner of choice for clients wishing to invest, develop or maintain their assets. We have a handpicked network of specialist professionals who share our values and pride in reputation. This means Rive Gauche can continue to grow in the UK and build its reputation across Europe and internationally. 

At Rive Gauche, we create and deliver crafted interiors of exceptional quality. Whether you’re a private investor or a multi-unit developer, if you think we share your ethos and can assist with your next project, please get contact us to discuss your requirements.