Julien Lachaud’s ‘Nuances’ sideboard: sycamore takes on a blue hue

The centrepiece of Vendee-based cabinetmaker Julien Lachaud’s work, the ‘Nuances’ sideboard combines solid wood, carbon fibre and a gradient of blues. Its lines are inspired by the automotive world. Produced in a limited edition of eight, it embodies the unique vision of a craftsman who treats each piece of furniture as a work of art.

A gradient of blues on solid sycamore.

The ‘Nuances’ sideboard is notable first and foremost for its material. Its body is made entirely from solid sycamore, stained in a subtle blue gradient that shifts depending on the angle of the light — hence the piece’s name. “I wanted to accentuate the beauty of the sycamore wood with shades of blue, which give the piece a great deal of warmth,” explains Julien Lachaud. This staining process highlights the wood’s natural grain rather than masking it, revealing the material’s nobility through colour.

An unexpected interplay of materials

Julien Lachaud

The deliberate contrast between materials not typically associated with traditional cabinetmaking is what sets ‘Nuances’ apart. The interior shelves are veneered in carbon fibre with stained wood edges, and the interior is lined with compressed, textured paper. The entire piece is finished with an extra-matt white lacquer. The subtle handles blend into the fronts without disrupting the balance of the lines. The rounded, solid wood legs extend the softness of the piece’s overall curves. This blend of artisanal precision and contemporary materials is characteristic of Julien Lachaud, whose full profile can be read on WeAreKollectors Magazine.

Automobiles as a source of inspiration

Julien Lachaud

Julien Lachaud is open about the influence of the automotive world on his work. Having trained in luxury marine cabinetmaking, he has retained the industry’s zero-defect ethos, as well as a fascination with taut curves and the tension between power and lightness. The ‘Nuances’ sideboard is a prime example of this, with its dynamic, geometric lines evoking the bodywork of an exceptional vehicle. “I conceive my pieces as works of art. They are there to enhance a space and convey the story I have given them,” the cabinetmaker sums up.

A rare item, available in a limited edition

Julien Lachaud

The ‘Nuances’ sideboard is produced in a limited edition of eight pieces. It measures 165 cm in length, 92.5 cm in height, and 50 cm in depth. Having been spotted by the Journal du Design and showcased at Maison & Objet and Paris Design Week, it is one of the creations that has helped Julien Lachaud establish a reputation beyond his workshop in Nieul-sur-l’Autise, in the heart of the Marais Poitevin. This piece was born from a freehand sketch and is now a collector’s item.