The diptyque questionnaire was based on the one completed by Marcel Proust which had become popular and out of the 34 questions, the diptyque partner answering them will choose which they wish to share on memento.

A Paris chez Antoinette Poisson is a company run by three young friends who are experts in the craft of traditional ‘Domino’ painted paper making techniques. These artisans and graduates of the National Institute for Cultural Heritage and Sorbonne University are Julie Stordiau, Vincent Farelly & Jean-Baptiste Martin. The random discovery of a stash of ‘domino’ printed paper in a pile of wallpaper propelled them to document their journey on how to restore the paper to its former glory, subsequently falling in love with this long lost craft popular during the XVIIIth century and renowned for its decorative arts expertise. They decided to bring this craft back to life and founded their company in 2012. The name they chose for their company nods to the patronage of the Madame de Pompadour, King Louis XV’s official chief mistress, a patron of the arts and a passionate connaisseuse of wallpapers at the time whose name at birth was Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson. These three artisans of the craft of making the long forgotten and unique craft of domino wallpaper employ the traditional techniques used during the XVIIIth century to ply their craft.

2. Which period in the history of mankind – a « faraway land » in Racine’s words – would you like to visit as an invisible tourist?
18th century France

4. Your favourite smell?
The smell of a fig tree at dusk.

13. What do you like doing so much that you lose track of time?
Printing and painting our domino wallpaper. Despite the repetitive nature of the work you have to stay totally focused on what you’re doing so everything is correctly aligned.

14. Name a book that opened up the world to you and made your spirits soar?
Le Lys dans la vallée by Balzac

16. Three key films?
Donkey Skin by Jacques Demi, Babette’s feast, Blade Runner.

22. If you gave a bouquet of flowers to a bird, which flowers would you choose and for which bird?
 A bunch of violets to garden hoopoe.

23. Is it that bad not to be loved, as long as you love?
No

24. Where do you go to escape the rat race?
The bay of the Somme

26. Do you have a work motto that is both your compass and guiding light?
No mountain is too high for a person who never gives up.

27. Does creative activity rule your life?
 No, but it is key to our survival.

28. Present giving; the act of sharing; that lovely expression « gifting… » : what to you like to give?
The gift of sharing a fabulous meal!

30. What is craftsmanship in modern times?
It is a path taken in life by enthusiasts who propel rare skill-sets from the past into the future.

31. Putting economic and social status issues aside for a moment, how can exceptional, high quality creativity (know-how, finishing details, research etc.) be relevant in this day and age in your opinion?
These days, with our mass consumerism mentality, we often forget how and who made the products that we are buying. Artisan-crafted products remind us of the human being who made the item in the first place, and the creative spirit and expertise involved in the process.

33. Which is your favourite diptyque fragrance (Eau or candle)?
Figuier

34. Describe diptyque in a few words?
Chic, timeless yet bang up to date!