The living room

“We are lucky to live in a very dynamic area of Paris, in terms of fashion, design and art. In recent years the High Marais has become full of designer shops, galleries and new restaurants, so it’s part of my living environment and feeds me with ideas. I have always worked in fashion and my husband in advertising, so we have always been curious about new trends.

“When it comes to our home, I’m in line with my husband in terms of decoration. We like the same things so it is a collective process. There are things he has bought, others that I have chosen, and it’s rare when they don’t work together. It is essential to live in a place that fits us all, where we feel good and at home, and of course, where everything has its place.

Her son, Charles', bedroom is a mix of pieces she finds in Paris' markets and designer pieces from across Europe, which she sources for her online boutique

“We moved in 10 years ago. As time goes on, I pay more and more attention to the quality of the materials, as well as the aesthetics and functional aspects.

“My favourite piece in the house is the Jason Miller chandelier in our dining room – I had seen it in an Australian interiors magazine, and I was about to contact the editor because I couldn’t find it anywhere, when I came across one by accident while walking through the St Germain neighbourhood in Paris. I saw one in the window of the Triode gallery, and it was even more beautiful in real life!”

Cécile Roederer


”The story of SMALLable began like many startups, in a small office at home in 2008. At the time, e-commerce existed, but the concept of online stores was not as developed as it is today. The idea for an online children’s shopping destination then came whilst chatting with my sisters and friends, who could no longer spend their weeks going on shopping trips and complained constantly about not finding what they wanted.

“
I have a little boy, Charles, who is five and a half years old, and also a six-year-old business. Of course, I do not put the two on the same level, but it’s funny to see how logistics and organisation are as important for one as it for the other!”

The dining room in Roederer's Paris apartment, containing her favourite piece in the house – the Jason Miller chandelier

Little Black Book

Shopping-wise, these are my favourite places for interiors pieces:

The galleries of the 6th/7th Arrondissements: Rue Jacob, rue de l’Université, rue de Lille.

Paul Bert and Serpette markets and the flea markets in Saint Ouen

India Mahdavi,3 and 19 rue Las Cases, 7th arrondissement; india-mahdavi.com

1st Dibsto for finding rare gems when it comes to antiques, including furniture, decorations, and jewellery; 1stdibs.com

en.smallable.com

More in Features

By , 6th November 2023
Features
My new literary suspense THE END OF SUMMER announced in The Bookseller

From book to screen

By , 28th February 2023
Features
Free resources and tips for would be screenwriters, from a complete novice - and some professionals - as I navigate the process of adapting my novels for TV and film

Observer New Review Q&A

By , 22nd March 2022
Features
An interview with Stephanie Merritt about Edith and Kim, the perils of writing about family, and why female spies often get overlooked

Researching Edith and Kim

By , 17th November 2021
Features
From a compendium of stories about life at the Bauhaus to a Modernist memoir by the founder of the iconic Isokon, here are some of the books that inspired my forthcoming novel

Book festivals 2021

By , 19th August 2021
Features
From a celebration of the life of John le Carré at Cheltenham to an exploration of women and crime in Chiswick, please join me at one of the following events, across the country (and the internet!)