Elysée Palace - Paris
In 1983, President François Mitterrand decided to renovate the private quarters of the Élysée Palace, particularly the east wing apartment. Among the selected designers was a rising visionary: Philippe Starck. On this occasion, Starck initiated a collaboration that would leave a lasting mark—his partnership with Baleri Italia. Born from the desire to combine contemporary design with Italian craftsmanship, this collaboration led to the creation of furnishings specifically conceived for the Élysée, which later became part of Baleri Italia’s official catalogue.
Designed by Starck and produced by Baleri Italia, President M is a minimalist desk with a metal structure and glass top, created for Mitterrand’s private study. It exudes quiet elegance—linear and austere, yet technically refined to make the top appear as if it floated in mid-air. The table stands as a symbolic statement of modern authority: understated yet confident.
In the same context, Starck also designed Richard III for Baleri Italia—a bold and sculptural armchair made of rigid polyurethane, available in leather or fabric upholstery. It was placed in the President’s private reading room. Richard III is a modern reinterpretation of the traditional bergère, featuring angular geometry and a commanding presence. The piece became a design icon and a symbol of Baleri Italia’s presence within the Élysée.
Starck’s designs for Baleri Italia were not meant to disrupt the historical context of the Élysée, but to introduce elements of modernity and intellectual lightness. Mitterrand—a man of culture and aesthetic sensitivity—recognized the value of these pieces: discreet, functional, and quietly revolutionary in their language. The inclusion of Baleri Italia furniture at the Élysée marked a symbolic and tangible moment when Italian design entered the core of French political life, thanks to Starck’s vision. President M and Richard III were more than furnishings—they were manifestos of a new formal language, blending restraint, innovation, and an unapologetic identity.
