The world of hotels is filled with exceptional characters from interior designers like Bill Bensley to marketing gurus like Clare Bushby and owner/entrepreneurs like Christine Cunanan. On our journey to deep-dive further into the industry, we recently sat down with Marie Winckler and Dionas Sotiriou the co-founders of Maison Flâneur. Their love of travelling and interior design led them to create an online destination for those looking for homeware products straight out of the world’s most thoughtfully curated designer hotels across the globe. We’re obsessed (and we’re pretty sure you will be too!)

An interview with co-founders of Maison Flâneur: Marie Winckler and Dionas Sotiriou

Tell us a little about your backgrounds?

Dionas: Marie and I have known each other since we were very young. We both grew up in Brussels and met at school at the French Lycée. I am Greek of origin, and she is French. After graduating, I went on to study in London while Marie went to La Sorbonne in Paris.

Following that, I worked in finance as an asset manager and Marie became a journalist in London. But, I always wanted to have a more creative career, and when I first thought of Maison Flâneur. I knew that’s what I wanted to do.

Maison Flaneur plate
Plate by Josephine Dessine available through Maison Flâneur

I had heard Marie was writing content for start-ups, so I asked her to help me with the content of the platform. We’ve been a team ever since.

What made you decide to launch Maison Flâneur?

Dionas: I remember this very vividly; I guess all entrepreneurs do. I started thinking of Maison Flâneur after visiting one of my favourite Korean restaurants in Soho and found myself wanting to buy this beautiful jug they had. The waiter had no clue of the brand, and neither did the manager. Conclusion? I am still looking for it.

I knew there was something we could do to bridge this relationship between the incredible space created and the clients.

Le Pigalle Hotel
Le Pigalle is one of the hotels that the brand works closely with

Marie: When Dionas first explained to me the concept, I was sold. How many times did I take a picture of the back of a plate? Tried to steal a bathrobe? Or asked the manager to buy an item of design in a hotel?

What hotels do you work with and how do you select them?

Dionas: That’s the best part of the job. We meet so many fascinating people. We always tend to look for the human factor in a hotel. Every single hotelier we are working with has a true passion, and it transpires when they host you, not only in the service but also in the attention to detail and interiors.

Marie: Yes, what’s important is personality. What’s fun is that we are not saying we are interior design gurus or follow one trend. We are saying, “look around, look at what all those amazing people have done, how they gave life to their hotels. How can you take some elements and make them yours at home?”

What are some of your favourite things available to purchase from the site?

anissa kermiche glasses
Glasses by Anissa Kermiche available through Maison Flâneur

Dionas: The unusual and quirky piece/story that only an accurate observer (read flâneur) gets to discover. I think we are specifically proud of our collaboration with Anissa Kermiche.

Marie: I love the small items. The littlest detail can change the mood of a room immediately. The embroidered napkins from Sew Bella. Or the hand-painted candles from Orna, for example. The Verre Amours were my favourite because they reminded me of late nights in Paris.

Tell us about Flâneur Magazine?

Dionas: Interviews, interior design tips, travel ideas… content is at the heart of what we do. We love to hear about the hoteliers; the story behind the scenes.

Marie: I think any object means so much more when you can tell its story. It’s also in line with a more significant world trend to respect the creation process of an object. Who thought about it, who made it, how did it come to me?

And we have to ask… are your homes filled with all the amazing things that you stock? How has the company changed how you live?

Marie: 100%, And I think we both love it. Now I cannot go to a restaurant or a hotel without looking at the lamps, the cutlery and thinking, would our flâneurs like that?

Can you each tell us about some of the best hotels you’ve ever stayed at and why you loved them?

Dionas: That’s a tough one – don’t want to make any enemies – the Four Seasons in Chiang Mai, Thailand was the first-ever hotel that genuinely left me speechless.

Marie: La Tonnara di Scopello in Sicily, Mezzatorre in Ischia, and Aman Sveti Stefan, Montenegro. Can I mention one I’m dying to go to? Reschio. I cannot wait. It looks so unique. Mostly, these are hotels that feel like someone’s home.

Now onto the speed round! Would you prefer time by the pool or at the spa?

Dionas: Definitely at the spa

Marie: By the pool. I always feel like I’m missing something when I’m inside.

Would you choose dinner at the restaurant or room service?

Dionas: Restaurant – especially after the months we just went through – feel we’ve been room servicing non-stop.

Marie: Dinner at the restaurant. 100%.

And what are you most looking forward to this year?

Dionas: It was amazing to see how much our community grew over the course of last year, and we cannot wait to share new exciting destinations and objects from around the world.

Marie: To continue to see Maison Flâneur grow and evolve. There were so many unexpected meetings, collaborations that happened this year. I cannot wait to see what’s next.

Discover more about Maison Flâneur

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