Decorating & Design
August 3, 2023
Ajiri Aki’s Tips For Decorating The Parisian Way
Parisian-based Ajiri Aki is the founder of the company Madame de la Maison, a site that sells items she sources in Paris flea markets (think antique mirrors, cake stands, silver trays and linen napkins). Born in Texas, Ajiri was always drawn to the French way of life, begging her Nigerian-Jamaican mother to pull out the fine china for everyday meals. As an adult, Ajiri promised herself she would never hesitate to use her treasured pieces and moved to Paris in 2011 to fully embrace French style.
Since moving to Paris, Ajiri has learned lessons from French friends such as treat yourself to fresh flowers just because, or take time to source the best baguette. In her new book, Joie: A Parisian’s Guide to Celebrating The Good Life (Clarkson Potter, 2023), she dispenses advice from more than a decade of life in the City of Light, such as how to care for silver; where the best flea markets are (she likes Marché Vernaison and Marché Paul Bert Serpette) and how to haggle. We asked Ajiri for her tips on bringing French flair to your home.
How can we breathe a bit of Parisian joie de vivre into our living space?
AA: Make sure you are surrounded by objects that bring you joy and tell a story about you or your travels. When you walk into your home and feel surrounded by memories and stories, you will feel joy.
What are the key elements of a Parisian table?
AA: If you want to give your table a bit of Parisian flair, add some antiques, color, and maybe skip the perfectionism.
What are your home essentials?
AA: Every home should also have a few serving trays that you can use for books, for drinks, to serve food, or for display. We can never have too many. Plus, you can never have too many champagne buckets that double as flower vases.
What’s the French way to set a table?
AA: Focus on the table linen! Everyone needs to have a variety of colors and styles, that way, you have options for tying together tableware and creating a palette. I find pleasure and take great pride in the act of designing a setting. I love playing with plate colors, shapes, and napkin configurations. be creative!
Do you have any tips on displaying fresh flowers to add to a space?
AA: I think there are many ways to play with flowers that seem unexpected and therefore have a wonderful effect. First of all, you can work with only one species and one color of flower. Abundance and repetition are truly pleasing to us. You can put them in small bundle vases, or all in one big vase. You can also do this with greenery or wildflowers, which sometimes don’t get as much appreciation.
Where do you shop for your home decor?
AA: I tend to buy most things at flea markets across France. There are not many new brands or department stores that speak to me. I really like pieces that have a story. Right now, I’m always on the lookout for unique and chic serving platters.
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Jessica Antola
Joie: A Parisian's Guide to Celebrating The Good Life by Ajiri Aki (Clarkson Potter, Random House, 2023)