From Luxury Yachts and villas to Iconic Hotels, Christian Liaigre is a name synonymous with understated luxury, refined simplicity, and a profound respect for the purity of materials. Renowned for his elegant furniture designs and interiors meticulously designed to blend form and function, offering not only aesthetic beauty but also a tactile experience that highlights the beauty of natural materials in their purest form.
The Essence of Liaigre’s Style: Modern Simplicity Rooted in Classic Foundations
At the heart of Christian Liaigre’s design ethos lies a commitment to modernity built on the pillars of classic furniture history. His style is not about flashy trends or extravagant effects; rather, it is a study of simplicity’s beauty. The focus is always on clean lines, harmonious proportions, and the delicate interplay of high-quality materials. It’s a minimalist approach but one that radiates warmth and sophistication.
Liaigre’s design expresses a luxury of detail that may not be immediately obvious but is felt on a deeper, more intuitive level. The use of materials is both deliberate and restrained. Whether it’s wood, stone, or leather, every element is chosen with care to create an atmosphere that promotes comfort and tranquillity. His designs also emphasise well-being, with spaces that are as much about feeling at ease as they are about looking beautiful.
What sets Liaigre’s creations apart is the way they evoke a sense of place. His designs are deeply influenced by the various locations in which they are conceived rooted in the fusion of cultural influences his work is further enriched by a deep connection to both his Parisian roots and a long-standing fascination with Asia. The creative spirit of China, Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand often informs his designs, influencing everything from forms and techniques to materials and colour palettes from a tranquil island retreat to a sleek villa in Athens to a high mountain chalet to the grandeur of the world’s most luxurious hotels. These global influences are subtly woven into his designs.

Inspiration from Global Cultures and Timeless Architecture
Liaigre’s work does not easily fit into a single cultural reference. His inspirations are diverse and, at times, paradoxical, drawing from a broad array of geographical and architectural sources. Whether he’s designing a cozy chalet in the Alps or a cutting-edge penthouse in a bustling metropolis, the global nature of his influences is clear. In many of his projects, Liaigre has incorporated elements of both Western and Eastern design traditions. One of the most striking examples of this fusion can be found in the SL44 superyacht, which was completed in 2021 in collaboration with the Italian shipbuilder Sanlorenzo. The brief for this yacht was simple but ambitious: to merge Asian design influences with the French touch that Liaigre is so well known for.

The design team at Liaigre carefully selected a limited palette of materials—wood, stone (such as green and white onyx), and leather—alongside a soothing colour scheme that ranged from dark woods to deep blues and rich reds. The result is a space that feels simultaneously serene and luxurious. Subtle details, like the narrower door frames inspired by Asian architecture, or the crystal terrariums housing miniature bonsai trees, subtly honour the Asian influence, while the sophisticated design and materials maintain the hallmark elegance of French style. Liaigre’s yacht design serves not only as an aesthetic statement but also as a practical and immersive experience of luxury, relaxation, and well-being. It is a space that speaks to the art of living—where every element, from the rich textures to the refined details, contributes to a sense of peaceful harmony.
Le Costes: A Landmark Hotel Project in Paris
Liaigre’s distinctive approach to interior design has also left its mark on several high-profile hospitality projects, the most notable being his work at Hôtel Costes in Paris. In 2015, Christian Liaigre was entrusted by Jean-Louis Costes to redesign and reimagine the Hôtel Lotti, which would later become part of the Costes Group’s luxury portfolio.
The Hôtel Lotti, an iconic Parisian address nestled between the Tuileries Gardens and Place Vendôme, has long been associated with high society, once frequented by the Duke of Westminster and numerous celebrities. For Liaigre, the challenge was not just to redecorate an old building but to craft a harmonious link between the existing spaces of Hôtel Costes (designed by Jacques Garcia in 1995), the Hôtel Lotti, and a third hotel property on Rue du Mont Thabor, ultimately unifying them under the Costes brand.What Liaigre brought to the project was a restrained elegance that balanced two distinct influences – the grandeur of a Parisian private mansion from the neoclassical period, and the sleek, open feel of a modern loft. Each of the rooms, from the lobby to the suites, was designed with custom-made furniture that fit perfectly into the vision for the space. Liaigre’s design here is subtle, elegant, and timeless, focusing on luxurious materials and precise craftsmanship rather than dramatic flair.

In the early 2020s, the Hôtel Costes finally opened its doors, with Liaigre’s final interior design project becoming a living testament to his refined style. The hotel offers a rarefied atmosphere of sophistication and relaxation, a reflection of Liaigre’s signature approach to design simple, yet never simplistic, luxurious without excess.
A Lasting Legacy
The legacy of Christian Liaigre reflects a commitment to refined simplicity and a deep understanding of the role that design plays in creating spaces that promote a sense of well-being. Through his designs, Liaigre has shown us that luxury is not about opulence, but about the thoughtful, meticulous detailing that elevates ordinary materials to extraordinary levels. It is in this simplicity—crafted from the finest materials and honed with an eye for precision—that Liaigre’s vision continues to leave its indelible mark on the design world.
Written By: Anastasia Tsigros
Published: 31st January 2025