Crossing the threshold of the Villa Majorelle means entering one of the first fully Art Nouveau houses in Nancy. Built between 1901 and 1902 by architect Henri Sauvage for Louis Majorelle, a cabinetmaker and designer, it embodies a unique moment when art, architecture, and craftsmanship come together to create a true art of living.

A leading figure of the École de Nancy, Louis Majorelle (1859–1926) was one of its founding members. His furniture stands out for its rare ability to turn wood into an almost organic, living material in motion, where the precision of craftsmanship meets the freedom of form. Conceived as a total work of art, the villa brings together the most innovative craft techniques of its time: carved woodwork, wrought iron, stained glass, and decorative elements interact in a harmony inspired by the plant world. 

Hugo Drubay’s work lies at the heart of this exhibition as a natural extension of the reflection on the legacy of Louis Majorelle.

This concept takes shape in the Majorelle Armchair, a piece crafted in solid oak, designed by Hugo Drubay and upholstered with a Tours textile by Maison Le Manach, specially created from a design by the designer and archival materials from Villa Majorelle.

The project more specifically consisted in reinterpreting the fabric entitled "Pomme de Pins," designed by Louis Majorelle and still visible today in the salon of Villa Majorelle in Nancy. This textile is also preserved in the collections of the Musée de l’École de Nancy as well as the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, reminding us how Louis Majorelle designed signature fabrics to accompany his furniture, as evidenced by period catalogues.

One of the main challenges of this reinterpretation lay in faithfully restoring the delicacy of the design imagined by Hugo Drubay, particularly in the thistle and branching details. To meet this requirement, chenille yarn was chosen in order to recover the velvety quality of the original fabric and preserve its tactile, enveloping character. The ground weave remains perceptible within the thistle motifs, while subtle touches of pearlescent thread bring light and depth to the overall composition.

Developed thanks to French craftsmanship—particularly the expertise of Nancy—this project combines artisanal excellence with the integration of new technologies, such as the robotic arm used for wood carving.