In Conversation With Franky Rousell

Franky started Jolie Studio in 2017 after she had worked in the design industry for a number of years, primarily in the workspace sector. During this time Franky found that many workspace designs did not meet the client’s requirements in terms of the emotional side of things. Designs often looked beautiful on paper but lacked personality and human touch - they pleased the eye while there was nothing available for the other human senses. This was the very starting point for Franky to develop an alternative approach to design.

‘I felt we needed to take a whole new direction and approach for every design from the starting point of what we wanted people to feel and experience when they entered a space. I stared the journey by meeting with a lot of experts to really understand the human psychology. I spoke with neuroscientists, someone who was a Professor of Touch, I learned about psychology of colour, aromatherapy and spoke with a Gastronomist too to understand eating experiences,’ Franky recalls. 

‘When it comes to flooring we love using wood a lot as it is naturally comforting and welcoming, and it radiates positive energy. In terms of the colour itself, brown promotes the sense of strength and reliability. It is present in nature and therefore provides a primitive connection to the nature. It strengthens people’s feeling of longevity too as the floor is going to be there for a while and so it is often seen as a good investment,’ Franky says.

‘What’s really interesting in terms of texture is that when you introduce a more textured wood flooring product you progressively get people to open up a little more. This has a relaxing influence and sense of reassurance. And then there’s of course the scent of wood! We love working with a range of different wood scents we use in spaces as we know they really work. People feel very comfortable with natural fragrances with a richer, warmer, calming effect.’