Emmanuel de Bayser’s Design

You’re the great-grandson of the painter George Desvallières, and come from a family with somewhat classical tastes – yet you became fired by design… It's true, I grew up in a very 18th century atmosphere, but I soon wanted a different lifestyle. I got Ikea furniture for my first student room! Then I did my national service in Munich, working at Canovas , which naturally pointed me towards a much more decorative style. After returning to Paris, I became interested in Fifties and Sixties American design, especially Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson. I would buy things on eBay then. You could find some amazing pieces, and I would have them shipped from the US. In fact, I still have a sofa by Florence Knoll, which was my first buy. It's now in one of my shops in Berlin.   What led you to French designers? In terms of investment, I should have started with them! I began by buying a small green desk by Jean Prouvé at a gallery, with a chair,…