Inside Interior Designer Alia El Tanani’s Maximalist Monaco Home

More is more. That said, the trick - according to Alia El Tanani, co-founder of Living In Interiors - is to blend as many patterns and colours together as long as they match in intensity. Surrounded by the alluring scenery of Monaco, with its vibrant atmosphere and in full view of its azure coast, the acclaimed designer decorated her family home with rich hues, a plethora of artworks, and furniture that displays her acute sense of proportions and curating colourful scenes that can be only described as eye candy.

“Our interiors are definitely maximalist, we never shy away from breaking the rules, infact, we like to make our own based on proportions and quality,” El Tanani tells SceneHome. With artefacts representing many cultures, especially Chinese, her family home has vibrant walls that bask in the light of southern France, and are briefly covered with paintings by Picasso, Salvador Dali, Karel Appel and Fernand Leger. “Homes should be a reflection of the family living in it and the lifestyle they aspire to have,” El Tanani adds.

“As a family we have a great passion for colour and patterns, each has his own thing but what we agree on is that our homes must be filled with colour and life,” Tanani goes on to explain. In the reception area, El Tanani chose a shade of purple that depended on the amount of light pouring into the space, which made the colour almost disappear into the background, allowing all the other highlights and hues to flourish. “The funny thing about colours is that the more you add, the better they blend together, as long as they are at the same level of intensity. Which is a bit like nature.”

El Tanani’s love for jewel tones is demonstrated throughout the home, from emerald green on the chairs to sapphire blue on the sofa. Creating a blast of visuals that are only emphasised by puff, smooth textured red chairs paired with sunflowers. On the floor, the carpets provide some contrast, being just a bit less intense, while another with animal prints just proves that the self-proclaimed maximalists are just that.

Furnishings from designers like Baker and Ralph Lauren cover most of the surfaces in comfort and flair. Which isn’t too surprising since they are all brands represented in Living In Interiors’ showrooms, and used throughout the firm's various projects. Their showrooms also pair rare finds with the bespoke brands. “My husband is a big collector of art in general and Chinese in specific, so we are always surrounded by great pieces collected from various trips which ties in to our business,” El Tanani explains. The artworks speak of a relevance to the present and the future through a medium that adds cultural depth throughout the abode.

“Our children have grown and become a part of our business. Tamara is the creative director and my son is developing the commercial side of the company, so you can imagine that we share everything, even choosing the interiors,” El Tanani says. “What I search for when meeting with clients is what they dream of, everyone has an image of what that is and my role is to capture and recreate it in the world, for them to live in it.”

The location played a major role in the home’s set up. It's Monaco, after all. As the family spends most of their time in the living room, it only makes sense to establish it in full view of Monaco’s scenery at the balcony, while carefully curated furniture maintains the interior’s timeless essence. “It’s the best spot,” El Tanani says. “The view says it all.”