A Place Among Artisans: CORAL + HIVE AT PENDHAPA PARIS

As one of the founders of Pendhapa, Antonin Hautefort has built a reputation for bringing together exceptional craftsmanship from around the world. We spoke with him about the pieces that capture his attention, the beauty of African weaving traditions and the role of materiality within the Paris showroom.

When selecting pieces for an exhibition, what qualities tend to draw your attention? What makes a piece stand out to you?

We like to think of a space as an aggregation of moments, where each piece tells a different story of craftsmanship and brings its own character and personality. What draws us to a piece is the authenticity of its making, the intelligence of its details, and its ability to evoke an emotional response. Our role is then to create meaningful connections between these individual narratives, allowing them to enter into a coherent and natural dialogue with one another.

What do you appreciate most about African natural fibres and weaving traditions?

The African rugs presented in the exhibition each embody a distinct craftsmanship and cultural heritage, deeply enriching the narrative of the space. What we particularly love is how they reveal themselves gradually: from a distance, they read as calm compositions, but as you move closer, layers of texture, technique and detail emerge. They bring warmth, depth and character to a room, showcasing the beauty of handmade workmanship in a way that feels almost like a horizontal tapestry and textile artwork.

Are there any colours, tones or design directions that you are particularly excited about this season?

We design all of our spaces with deep intention, and colour is one of the most powerful tools for creating dialogue within a space. We are particularly drawn to strong contrasts that allow a piece, material or geometric detail to stand out with clarity and presence. At the same time, there is something equally compelling about subtle tonal variations—large surfaces that initially appear monochromatic, only to reveal nuanced layers of colour and texture as you approach. That sense of discovery creates a beautiful and engaging spatial experience.

What makes this exhibition venue such a special setting for showcasing your new collection?

There is just an extraordinarily inspiring dialogue that emerges when contemporary design is placed within the context of classical French architecture. The contrast creates a natural tension that allows both to shine. The architectural setting brings history, proportion and permanence, while the contemporary pieces introduce new perspectives and interpretations. Both share a fascination with light, materiality and contrast, and together they amplify one another in a way that feels both timeless and exciting.