Living Artfully: Inside the World of Stéphanie Coutas, Where Elegance Meets Emotion
people • designers
Stephanie Coutas doesn’t just design spaces—she choreographs atmospheres. Known for her richly layered interiors that fuse French heritage with modern refinement, Coutas brings a couture sensibility to every project. Her work moves effortlessly between classical architecture, artisanal craftsmanship, and an intuitive sense of harmony that makes even the grandest spaces feel intimately personal. With projects spanning Parisian apartments, Middle Eastern palaces, and Riviera retreats, she has become a global force in luxury design. But at the heart of it all lies a simple yet powerful belief: design should stir the senses and reflect the soul.
In this exclusive interview with Designeers, Stephanie opens up about her design ethos, the role of emotion in beauty, and the personal rituals that keep her grounded, plus a few quick-fire answers that reveal the woman behind the vision
Words: designeers
juLY 2025
WEBSITE: stephaniecoutas.com
INSTAGRAM: @stephaniecoutas
DESIGNEERS
How would you describe your design ethos in three words?
Stéphanie Coutas
Emotion, elegance and timelessness.
DESIGNEERS
What does timeless design mean to you, and how do you achieve it?
Stéphanie Coutas
Timeless design is an emotion that transcends eras. I achieve it by reinterpreting classic references with a contemporary eye, combining noble materials, clean lines, and exceptional craftsmanship. It’s all about harmony, subtlety, and precision, but always with a twist.
DESIGNEERS
Where do you begin when designing a space—with a material, a feeling, or a story?
Stéphanie Coutas
Always with a feeling. I imagine myself living in the space, breathing its atmosphere. Every project tells a story, and often it starts with a material, a particular light, or a detail in the architecture that sparks the narrative.
DESIGNEERS
How has your style evolved in the last decade?
Stéphanie Coutas
My style has become more refined and essential, yet without losing its richness. I’ve learned to say more with less, to let the spaces breathe. There is now a search for flow, ultimate comfort, and a quiet kind of strength.
“My style has become more refined and essential, yet without losing its richness. I’ve learned to say more with less, to let the spaces breathe.”
Stéphanie Coutas
DESIGNEERS
You work closely with artisans and ateliers, how do you choose collaborators?
Stéphanie Coutas
I choose artisans with a soul. Those who listen, who understand, and who can elevate an idea with the mastery of their hands. I value human relationships above all, built on trust, excellence, and a shared love of beauty.
DESIGNEERS
Are there particular cultural influences or places that continue to shape your design language?
Stéphanie Coutas
French culture, with its refinement and decorative heritage.
DESIGNEERS
How do you stay inspired creatively? Are there rituals or habits that help you reconnect?
Stéphanie Coutas
Nature is essential to me; the sea, silence, and light help me recharge. I need solitude sometimes to reconnect with my intuition. I constantly draw inspiration from art, travel, and unexpected encounters.
DESIGNEERS
Favourite flower to style with?
Stéphanie Coutas
Peonies, for their delicacy and generosity.
DESIGNEERS
Dream dinner guests, dead or alive?
Stéphanie Coutas
Yves Saint Laurent, Christiane Amanpour, Nelson Mandela, and my father. A table full of passion and stories.
DESIGNEERS
A hotel that has taken your breath away?
Stéphanie Coutas
DESIGNEERS
What’s a guilty pleasure design trend you secretly love?
Stéphanie Coutas
Thick ivory carpets, there’s something nostalgic and incredibly cosy about them.
DESIGNEERS
One thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
Stéphanie Coutas
I am really faithful to the people I work with; most of my collaborators have been with me for over 15 years.
PHOTOGRaphy credits
Francis Amiand, Anne Wohlgemuth and Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt