Some collaborations begin with a specific idea. Others start with a simple encounter, a shared sensibility, and an almost immediate desire to create something together.
I first met Marylène Madou at Corinthia Brussels, where we were both partners of the hotel. We quickly discovered how much we had in common: a love of colour, prints, unexpected combinations, and a shared appreciation for beautiful things.
Although we each had our own creative universe, we approached design with a similar sense of instinct, freedom, and individuality. The idea of working together came naturally.
Today, that encounter has taken shape in a table linen collection created together.
Two Creative Worlds, One Shared Vision
I have always been fascinated by Marylène’s work. Her illustrations have this rare ability to transport you into an imaginary world, filled with vibrant colours, expressive patterns, and details that reveal themselves the longer you look.
Her universe is maximalist, imaginative, sometimes almost theatrical, and that is precisely what I love about it. I admire her remarkable drawing skills and instinct for colour, but also the way she has built such a distinctive brand around her artistic talent.
At Les Tables de Joséphine, I share that love of mixing prints, periods, and unexpected elements. An antique plate might sit alongside a contemporary textile, while a bold colour can bring an entirely new energy to a more traditional setting. Often, it is these contrasts that give a table its character.
Our two creative worlds clearly had plenty to say to one another.
A Collection Created Together
Marylène had already explored textiles through several of her creations, and table linen was familiar territory for her. This time, however, we wanted to develop a collection that genuinely reflected both our identities.
Our roles emerged quite naturally.
Marylène is the artist. She draws, paints, and brings to life an illustrated world that is entirely her own. My contribution was rooted in creative direction, from developing the theme and selecting the products to considering the placement of the illustrations and the colour combinations.
Yet every decision was made through conversation. We exchanged ideas, refined compositions, and looked for the right balance between our individual approaches.
That is one of the things I enjoy most about collaborating: seeing how an idea evolves when two creative perspectives come together.
When Fruits and Vegetables Become Patterns
For this collection, we decided to draw inspiration directly from the world of food.
Fruits and vegetables move beyond the plate to become the central characters of our textiles. Peppers, asparagus, peaches, and pears come to life through Marylène’s illustrations, in a playful exploration of shapes and colours that celebrates both food and imagination.
We also worked with stripes, a timeless pattern I particularly love for its ability to give structure to a composition and complement more expressive prints.
Our intention was to create table linen with a strong personality, pieces that could transform an everyday table just as easily as they could become part of a more elaborate setting.
A joyful, bold, characterful collection that everyone can interpret in their own way.
The Table as a Creative Playground
This project reflects something I have believed in since founding Les Tables de Joséphine: a beautiful table does not have to follow a fixed set of rules.
I love compositions that tell a story, where antique objects meet contemporary creations, colours interact freely, and every detail contributes to the atmosphere.
With this collection, we wanted to bring that same freedom into table linen.
Tablecloths, placemats, and napkins become much more than functional pieces. They are an integral part of the composition and can even be the starting point for an entire tablescape.
It is an invitation to experiment, to mix things up, and above all, to enjoy creating a table that feels personal.
A Creative Encounter That Continues Around the Table
Beyond the collection itself, what I will remember most is the pleasure of creating alongside an artist whose work and personality I deeply admire.
This collaboration allowed us to bring two creative sensibilities together around a shared vision, while allowing each to retain its own identity.
And perhaps that is what makes this collection so special to me: it carries both Marylène’s artistic signature and the spirit of Les Tables de Joséphine.
The LTDJ x Marylène Madou collection is now available for pre-order on Marylène Madou’s website.
