Meet the Interior Designer: Jenny Blanc
The award-winning interior designer creates beautiful homes in Europe and the Caribbean for a loyal fan base who love her restrained schemes
Soon to celebrate two decades of business, Jenny Blanc Interiors has won loyal fans who love the restrained-yet-just-colorful-enough interiors Jenny and her team have been creating since 1996. Jenny, who recently won a five-star award at the International Property Awards for a family residence in Barbados, talks exclusively to Luxury Defined about her design style and way of working.
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What is your earliest memory of designing?
My love of interiors came from staying with my grandmother, who had impeccable taste and style. Her house was full of the most beautiful furnishings, down to the last detail. I was then given the opportunity to put my love of design into practice when I created and opened the Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons in 1984 with my former husband [chef] Raymond Blanc.
How would you describe the “Jenny Blanc look”?
We try very hard not to have a specific look as we pride ourselves on meeting our clients’ aspirations for their properties by taking inspiration from their visions. If there is such a thing as a “Jenny Blanc look” it would be a sensitive use of colors, beautiful furnishings, and exquisite finishing touches; an attention to the smallest details, and rooms which flow seamlessly from one to the next, creating a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere.
How do you approach a new project?
First of all, I listen carefully to how the client plans to use their property, as well as their likes and dislikes. I consider their preferred style and the overall feel of the property. It is very important to understand a client’s aspirations. From this, I work on translating their brief into reality.
What elements do you like working with? What are your trademark things?
I love all elements of designing, however the lighting is always key to how the completed project is reflected. Fabrics, of course, I just adore. One can do so much nowadays with the variety of beautiful prints, colors, and textures available. It’s really exciting.
Tell us about the furniture you produce.
We have two furniture collections: one clearly for use in hot climates — Barbados, the Caribbean, etc. The second collection is more European/English. We are extremely proud of both. Needless to say we also source furniture, rugs, artwork, and mirrors from suppliers worldwide to complete our projects.
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Why did you create the ranges?
To have the opportunity to custom-make special pieces is [also] a love of mine. We all get very excited with the incredible finishes available, which can lead to creating amazing pieces. Our Design Director, Sue Thomas-Richardson, has been developing this side of the business over the past eight years, as well as working on all our projects.
