denise a table
Aroz Stories introduces you Daphné and Rodolphe, co-creators of the brand Denise à Table, or the art of enhancing your tables with unique dishes.
02 Dec,2021
"I grew up in a family where setting the table and spending lots of time around it was part of our daily habits. I like the idea of spending hours at the table, forgetting the passing time and I think that this is what made me want to start Denise."
- AROZ. Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
Daphné. My name is Daphné, I'm 29 and I'm an interior designer. I'm fascinated with architecture, art and every job of creation (especially crafting jobs). I grew up in a family where setting the table and spending lots of time around it was part of our daily routine. I like the idea of spending hours at the table, forgetting the passing time and I think this is what made me want to start Denise.
- AROZ. Tell us the story behind Denise à table
D. Denise came from the desire of sharing and giving life to the table, the idea of joy and spontaneity around it. The pandemic created a real lack of gatherings for everyone and there was nothing much left to do. I started drawing the tables of my dreams that I would like to share with my friends. Rodolphe gave me the idea to actually create those tables for real, and that's what we did.
We left for 6 months to be able to work hand in hand with craftsmen and we created a set of ceramics, glasswares, and table linens. A brand of the art of tableware.
- AROZ. What are the pros of working with your significant other?
D. I think that working as a couple is like working with your associate. It's wonderful when you're complementary. And when you're a couple, you know the other like the back of your hand, so that also helps.
What was magical was the whole pre-project process, when we lived in Portugal, in immersion with this country for 6 months. It was so interesting to get to know our craftsmen. We really loved the experience!
- AROZ. Where does your inspiration come from? The names of the collections, the models,...
D. The inspiration behind our models comes from what a grandmother would use for her tables, the dishes for an afternoon snack, the glasses we take out for Christmas with the whole family... Everything that is a convivial moment and that I could have lived when I was little.
For the names of the collection, we asked ourselves: who would Denise invite to dinner? Who would make the evening fun, crazy and warm? And that's how we created different characters: Curtis & Gia, Esmé, Simon & Ralph, Lisbeth, Georges and now Gisèle... We even wrote a story for each one, their background with Denise and their favorite dish. It's simply the names of the surprise guests at Denise's table.
- AROZ. What is your favorite piece at the table / of your creations?
D. I think it's everything that can contain flowers. My mother is passionate about gardening, flowers, and has always paid a particular attention to vases. In a less formal way, I like to use pitchers as vases or even glasses for my bouquets. At Denise, I particularly like the Curtis & Gia Jug that I use as a vase at home.
- AROZ. What does the jewelry represent to you in general?
D. A jewelry is a personality, the little touch that you add according to your mood. A jewelry is a surprise.
- AROZ. What is your favorite Aroz piece?
D. They're out of stock, I don't have them yet but I have to say that I'm in love with the Sormiou earrings in gold. I'm completely under their spell, their abstract form. We would think that they just have been carved in a rock.
- AROZ. What are the jewelry that you never take off?
D. A necklace. Since I was 21, I've never taken off a necklace that my godfather's wife drew for me. Recently, it has been a necklace Rodolphe gave me that I always keep on. I change earrings everyday, same for rings, but the necklace, never.
- AROZ. What is your mantra? What phrase or word would you engrave on one of our medallion ?
D. Set your life for surprises - which inspired for Denise's "Set Your Tables For Surprises". It's simply an invitation to make the ordinary extraordinary and embrace life to the fullest!
- AROZ. Finally, can you define AROZ in three words?
D. It's the light! As much in the jewelry as the people that give life to Aroz everyday.