Inside Melissa Farcenio, collection manager at Dior.

I grew up in the Paris region, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. I still have a love of space and nature from that childhood, which I need to recharge my batteries. I am lucky enough to have an exciting job at Dior. I develop women’s shoe collections, working with the designers in our design studio, our Italian factories and the buyers in the brand’s various purchasing zones. It is exceptional to participate in the creation of new models every two months. I like to accompany the designers in their process, from the initial brief, during which I tell them all my needs according to current trends, to the finished shoes, which are then found in Dior boutiques around the world!

I live in Neuilly sur Seine, in an apartment located in a building from the 60’s that my husband and I have just bought, after having lived there in rent. At the moment, we are in the middle of a renovation because we have redone everything. Some windows are still missing, I have no light fixtures, no decoration… So it’s a total mess, which I don’t really like because I like everything to be tidy and well organized! (laughs). But I would like to compose a neutral and natural atmosphere, marrying shades of beige and white with very light wood, bamboo. I want to feel like I’m in a beach house or a hotel by the sea. I want freshness but also something timeless, that I will never get tired of. I’m not the type to change my sofa every 6 months!

I have been living in Neuilly for 7 years. The goal was to find a compromise between my husband, a true Parisian for whom leaving Paris was difficult, and me, who wanted to be closer to the capital while keeping space and greenery. I want to be quiet and not live in a busy street, with noise pollution and constant traffic. Neuilly is the perfect compromise. As I work a lot, when I come back in the evening, I want to rest and see some vegetation. So we were looking for an apartment overlooking the woods. These are rare properties, but we were lucky enough to find our rare pearl quite quickly. It was our first visit for a rental and there were about ten of us who wanted it. I enjoy it every time I look out the window and see trees and not buildings.

I loved it, I was amazed. It was everything I wanted. The living room is big, we have a little balcony facing the woods. I was really hoping to have it because I felt comfortable there immediately.

The living room, because it’s where I spend my evenings. We have a drink, we talk, we watch a movie. These are always pleasant moments, it’s such a friendly space. It could also be in the kitchen because I love to eat and I cook quite well, but I never have the courage, when I come back late at night. My absolute dream would be to have a chef at home, who prepares good food for me every day!

At the moment, this is clearly not the case! I’m very square, I like everything to be tidy, but right now, it’s a mess… But my personality will be reflected in the decoration of the apartment: sobriety, authenticity, naturalness… I would never put red paintings on the wall, for example!

I have never telecommuted except for the 3 months at the beginning of the health crisis when we were all confined. That period made me realize that having greenery outside your window is priceless. Especially since that year, the weather was incredible from March to May. I had lunch on my balcony every day! I realized the value of my apartment.