Interior architect Constance Delaux has completed a radical transformation of a historic Bordeaux townhouse, merging two separate family properties into a single 10,000-square-foot contemporary residence called "Don't Tell Mama." The project, located in the heart of Bordeaux's city center, represents a bold fusion of eighteenth-century heritage and twenty-first-century design innovation. Delaux and her firm Studio Add were granted complete creative freedom by the owners, resulting in a space that challenges traditional luxury conventions while respecting the building's architectural legacy.
The original structure consisted of two distinct buildings that had remained in the same family for decades, one serving as the main residence and the other housing offices and apartments. The ambitious renovation unified these separate entities, creating a seamless flow between historic and modern spaces. Delaux faced the challenge of preserving original moldings, parquet floors, and marble fireplaces while introducing contemporary elements that would honor the building's past without being constrained by it. The solution involved carefully restoring key historical features while inserting bold architectural interventions that create dialogue between centuries.
Creative liberty defined every aspect of the project, from custom furniture design to the selection of tableware and bedding. Delaux approached the interiors with a philosophy centered on joy, audacity, and playful sophistication, rejecting the stiffness often associated with high-end residential design. The result is a home that feels both luxurious and livable, where museum-quality materials and craftsmanship serve daily life rather than imposing formal restrictions. Each room tells a distinct story through its unique combination of textures, colors, and forms, creating what Delaux describes as "controlled exuberance."
Among the residence's most surprising features is a hidden speakeasy bar, completely invisible from the main living areas and accessible only through a concealed door. This secret space embodies the project's spirit of discovery and whimsy. A dedicated "Cosmic Room" functions as a home cinema with immersive audiovisual technology, while the property includes multiple kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, a home gym, and carefully landscaped gardens that provide peaceful retreats from urban life. The outdoor spaces were designed as extensions of the interior, with terraces and plantings that create private sanctuaries in the midst of the bustling city.
The materials palette showcases exceptional craftsmanship, with hand-finished plaster walls, custom metalwork, and bespoke lighting installations that highlight both the architecture and the art collection displayed throughout the home. Delaux collaborated with local artisans and international suppliers to source everything from rare marble to innovative textiles, ensuring that each element contributed to the overall narrative of sophisticated comfort. The lighting design, in particular, transforms the spaces throughout the day, emphasizing the building's original proportions while creating intimate moments within the grand scale.
"Don't Tell Mama" has already become a reference point in Bordeaux's design community, demonstrating how historic preservation can coexist with creative innovation. The project has been featured in several European architecture publications and is expected to influence how other heritage properties in the region approach modernization. For Delaux, the success lies in the balance between respecting the past and embracing the future, creating spaces that honor history while serving contemporary lifestyles with intelligence and humor.
