Véronique de Soultrait: Inventor of Rope Marquetry

Véronique de Soultrait is a visionary designer who has reinvented the use of rope in interior design. By shaping this humble yet versatile material, she creates wall panels and decorative objects where textures and graphic patterns meet with poetic elegance. Working with natural fibers such as hemp, linen, and even golden threads, she weaves, sculpts, and assembles each rope into meticulously crafted works of art mounted on wooden supports. Her approach evokes traditional marquetry, yet offers a distinctly contemporary and unique interpretation.

Born into a traditional environment where artistic ambitions were frowned upon, Véronique de Soultrait defied family expectations to pursue a career in the arts. Her years at the Beaux-Arts marked a pivotal moment, though she quickly felt frustrated by the strictly conceptual approach of 1980s art education. Refusing to sacrifice her admiration for applied artsand artisan craftsmanship, she turned toward practices that celebrate hands-on work, deliberately diverging from the dominant trends of the time.

After several experiments in textile design, Véronique found her true path in creating rope wall panels. This innovative use of the material quickly attracted the attention of top interior designers, such as Jacques Garcia and Pinto, who recognized her rare craftsmanship and exceptional creativity. Over time, Véronique has perfected her technique, exploring the endless possibilities of rope. Whether soft or rough, glossy or matte, she sees in this material a universe to discover: it can be dyed, glued, sewn, transformed into intricate patterns or minimalist structures.

Drawing inspiration from the clean lines of the Art Deco era, Véronique de Soultrait creates works where graphic restraint takes center stage. The dyeing of ropes, carried out in her own studio, is an art in itself. Trained as a colorist, she develops unique shades tailored to each project, favoring neutral or natural tones. These subtle choices enhance the reliefs and lines of her patterns, while adding a refined touch to the decorated spaces.

Véronique’s studio serves as both a production space and a research lab. The often bold requests from interior designers fuel a constantly evolving creative process. Every technical challenge becomes an opportunity to push the limits of the rope material, and mistakes frequently lead to unexpected innovations. By experimenting with new combinations and methods, the team continually expands the boundaries of their craft, refining techniques with each project.

Through her work, Véronique de Soultrait transforms rope into a unique medium, balancing traditional craftsmanshipwith contemporary design. Her wall panels bring refined aesthetics to interiors, blending minimalism, texture, and graphic harmony. With a precise technical and artistic approach, she continually expands the possibilities of this simple material, elevating it to the level of art.