In the sun-lit streets of Marseille, a three-person household has turned its family home into a dual-purpose atelier and exhibition space. Designer Axel Chay, his wife Mélissa, and his brother Aimeric share a townhouse where the living area opens onto a terrace paved with swimming-pool tiles, complete with a custom fountain and a hand-made sconce. The setting reflects the city’s revival: bright skies, turquoise seas, and a surge of artistic energy that draws creators from Paris and beyond.
The trio’s ground-floor garage has been repurposed into a bustling workshop. Here, steel tubes bought off the shelf are welded into whimsical knots, then coated in saturated shades of Kelly green, carnation pink, and cobalt blue. This hands-on approach derives from a four-generation lineage of metalsmithing, yet the brothers have shifted the focus from industrial production to expressive design, a change triggered after their father’s death five years ago.
From legacy metalwork to a contemporary furniture brand
When Axel first sketched tubular stools and sinuous floor lamps, he cited the geometric rigidity of Donald Judd and the pop-art flair of Tom Wesselmann as inspiration. Together with Aimeric, he translated those ideas into pieces that honor their family’s craft while embracing bright, playful aesthetics. The brand, launched seven years ago, quickly gained traction across France, especially after a 2024 collaboration with the retail chain Monoprix. That partnership introduced curvy candlesticks, squat amber-toned glassware, and colourful rugs, cementing the label’s reputation for bold, accessible design.
Realising the need for a cohesive visual identity, Mélissa, a former real-estate communications professional, joined the firm to steer its artistic direction. She emphasizes that the brand’s growth demanded structured oversight: “When the name started circulating, we had to organise it. He needed me.” Her role blends strategic planning with on-site curation, ensuring each showroom piece narrates the family’s evolution from traditional metalworking to avant-garde décor.
Signature projects and commercial collaborations
Beyond the showroom, the Chay studio has been commissioned for several high-profile assignments. Dutch brewer Heineken enlisted the family to redesign a limited-edition can, resulting in blocky Mondrian-style graphics and a reformulated, fruitier, hoppier brew. The same design language migrated to local hospitality when the wine bar Dévo requested a 1970s-inspired makeover. The team responded with floor-to-ceiling chocolate-brown curtains, chrome-black leather bar stools, and smoked-glass mirrors that echo the era’s sleek aesthetic while retaining the brand’s signature colour-pop.
Interior details within the townhouse illustrate the designers’ philosophy. A velvet sofa bearing the Axel Chay label occupies the living room opposite a one-off planter and a stainless-steel coffee table. A sculptural chair upholstered in cowhide rests beneath a stained-glass skylight, and the kitchen combines original floor tiles with brushed stainless cabinetry, handles reminiscent of climbing holds, and pendant lighting crafted in-house. Each element serves both function and narrative, reinforcing the idea that “most of it is stuff we wanted to have in the home.”
Future direction and the Mediterranean influence
Marseille’s transformation from a gritty port to a Mediterranean cultural hub fuels the Chays’ creative outlook. The city’s vibrant graffiti, crystal-clear waters, and burgeoning café scene provide a constant source of inspiration that the family channels into new collections. While the brand remains rooted in its metalsmithing heritage, its future will likely explore further collaborations, experimental colour palettes, and perhaps a deeper integration of sustainable materials, keeping the studio’s terrace-inspired spirit alive.
