Meeting with Floriane / Maison Paon

Floriane is the founder of Maison Paon and a lifelong lover of beautiful papers. Not finding satisfaction in terms of pretty stationery, she opened a concept store dedicated to the art of beautiful stationery.
I am delighted that her beautiful boutique has been one of my partners since 2023.

How did the idea for your store come about and what was your journey to make it a reality?

The idea for Maison Paon was born from a passion for beautiful things and a desire to create a space where the art of living and stationery meet.
My journey began with a background in luxury marketing and a deep love for notebooks. After working in different luxury and retail companies, I decided to take the plunge and create my own universe following a trip to London.
I spent months researching talented designers and premium brands to ensure a unique product selection. Every step, from choosing suppliers to designing the store, was designed to provide an exceptional experience for our customers.

How would you describe the style and aesthetic of your store, what are your main sources of inspiration?

Maison Paon is a fusion of elegance and refinement, with a very floral touch. The style is both colorful and high-end, with a soft color palette and natural materials.

My main sources of inspiration come from travel, art, and nature. I like to integrate elements that evoke serenity and escape, while remaining functional and aesthetically beautiful.

If your store had a musical theme, what would be the ideal soundtrack?

The ideal soundtrack for Maison Paon would be a playlist of new French scene with a touch of Paris mixed with acoustic pieces for days of more chill inspiration. This musical ambiance would create an atmosphere that is sometimes very relaxing, inviting you to escape, and other days more danceable!

If you could invite any artist or designer, living or dead, to a creative workshop in your shop, who would you choose and what would you create together?

I would definitely invite Alphonse Mucha . His Art Nouveau style, with its elegant floral patterns and flowing lines, would be perfect for an exclusive stationery workshop. Together, we would create a collection of notebooks, cards and letter paper inspired by his iconic works , combining the old and the new for something truly unique.

And otherwise I would love to collaborate with Claire Leina from the French brand All the ways to say or Ludovic Jacqz from Maison Fondé!

Can you tell us about a particular project or collection that you are particularly proud of, and why?

I am particularly proud of our “Anna Posimo” collection . It is a series of stationery and decoration products inspired by minimalism and botanical gardens. Each item, from notebooks to posters, incorporates delicate illustrations of plants and flowers. This collection has been enthusiastically received and perfectly reflects the essence of Maison Paon: beauty in simplicity.

What is the weirdest or funniest request a client has made of you, did you take up the challenge?

One day, a client asked me if I could personalize a notebook with a real gold leaf cover and include fragments of his favorite poem, handwritten by a calligrapher. Although it was a rather unusual request, I took on the challenge. I collaborated with an artisan for the cover and found a talented calligrapher for the text. The result was beautiful and the client was delighted.

Today we want to offer easier access to custom-made products and that is why we are launching the Atelier Haute Papeterie in August, where it will be possible to have your personalized notebook created by appointment!

What challenges have you faced as a creator and owner of a stationery store, and how did you overcome them? What advice can you give to those who want to start their own business?

The biggest challenges were managing inventory and maintaining a unique offering while meeting customer expectations. It was also a balancing act between back office management and creativity. To overcome these obstacles, I learned to delegate and surround myself with a competent and passionate team. My advice for those who want to get started: be passionate and persistent, don't underestimate the importance of choosing your suppliers wisely, and create an exceptional customer experience. The key is to stay true to your vision while remaining open to feedback and market trends.

Come and discover the world of Maison Paon
The online store
His Instagram account