Immerse yourself in a world where the cerulean waves of the Mediterranean blend seamlessly with the timeless elegance of the French Riviera. L’Éternel Été, the latest performance indoor/outdoor collection by Les Ensembliers for Brunschwig & Fils, captures the timeless allure of coastal Europe, offering a perfect blend of elegance and carefree living.
Richard and Max of Les Ensembliers drew inspiration from their travels to the South of France, where the natural beauty of the region cast a spell over their creative process. This collection weaves together memories of sun-dappled seas, the soothing rhythm of waves lapping against a yacht, and the lived-in charm of weathered textiles found in villas along the Côte d’Azur. The fabrics in L’Éternel Été echo the unmistakable ease of coastal life, with a palette of soft blues, faded greens, and sandy neutrals evoking afternoons spent beneath the radiant sun.
The collection’s refined yet relaxed aesthetic was brought to life in a photoshoot at Richard and Max’s own farm in Canada, Ferme Humminghill. Surrounded by nature, the duo infused each piece with the essence of their personal retreat—a sense of freedom and intimacy that resonates through every weave and print. Whether you’re furnishing a seaside villa or simply dreaming of one, L’Éternel Été invites you to bask in the eternal summer, where every moment feels like a getaway to the French Riviera.
B&F and Les Ensembliers have truly bottled the magic of the Mediterranean, delivering effortless sophistication with an irresistible joie de vivre.
We sat down with the creative duo to learn more about the new collections as well as their life at Ferme Humminghill.
Tell us about your personal connection to the French Riviera.
“The connection we have with the French Riviera has always been strong. France itself is something we’ve always loved, and we’ve often worked on beautiful projects there. Max has visited the French Riviera much more than I have, and he wanted me to experience it. It’s a beautiful area with many architectural styles and an era of prosperity that blends different cultures, making it very inspiring for us whenever we visit.”
Can you speak to the appeal of laid-back, lived-in luxury?
“Laid-back, lived-in luxury is about the charm of the most beautiful villas on any coast, like Lake Como—places where you connect to timeless beauty. It’s about the sense that everything in the house has been accumulated over time by generations or families, where nothing matches, and everything has a bit of age or is even slightly faded. That, to me, is the essence of luxury—having something you love forever, without the need for it to always be perfect.”
Do you both get a lot of design inspiration from your farm, garden, and nature in general?
“The farm and countryside are an endless source of inspiration for us. I could sit for hours, looking at the trees, fields, and flowers, and listening to the sounds of nature and birds. It completely fills me up and, for me, is the ultimate source of inspiration every day. From the moment we get up at dawn and watch the sky change colors and textures from one moment to the next, until the end of the day when the stars shine bright, it’s a full circle of daily inspiration. I have traveled the world for inspiration, and I truly feel that this home and place are a boundless source for both Max and me. I believe we find fulfillment here that gives us our daily inspiration!”
What makes this collection stand out in the market?
“This collection isn’t colorful, bright, or bold like typical outdoor collections. It’s more understated and muted, even featuring darker and moodier colorways. Often, we’re naturally drawn to outdoor collections that are bold, bright, sunny, and cheerful. While ours still carries a sense of happiness, it’s more subdued, which I think sets it apart. We used our farm as a setting and main source of inspiration for this collection. The colors are more earthy and reflective of our surroundings, blending the patterns, textures, and vibes of the South of France. This combination of influences gives the collection its own identity and distinct expression.
The quality of outdoor fabrics has evolved quickly, with beautiful textures, prints, and weaves that feel natural. That’s an incredible development for the market because outdoor furniture fabrics often don’t have that special, tactile feel. For our lifestyle, outdoor fabric resonates as performance fabric since we live in a rugged environment with animals, so durability is key.”