Philosophy
Our approach blossomed out of a deep appreciation for fine arts and, well, how to have a little fun whilst changing up your space. I, the owner Lea Hogdal, originally started on very budget conscious projects and gained a base knowledge of vintage sourcing. It was there that I found my creativity flourishing within constraints.
"Creativity arises from structure. You must set the rules in order to break them." said musician and producer Brian Eno, a concept echoed by artists and thinkers as far back as Leonardo da Vinci. In design, as in music, complete freedom can lead to too much noise—but thoughtful limitations force innovation, refinement, and intention. Whether it’s working within a small footprint, a set budget, or the unique constraints of sourcing vintage, I believe these boundaries make the design process richer, not restrictive. The challenge isn’t about having endless choices, it’s about making the right ones. I approach each project with this mindset, ensuring that every piece—whether found, repurposed, or newly invested in—feels intentional. The result is a space that’s not only functional and visually compelling but deeply personal and full of life.
"Creativity arises from structure. You must set the rules in order to break them." said musician and producer Brian Eno, a concept echoed by artists and thinkers as far back as Leonardo da Vinci. In design, as in music, complete freedom can lead to too much noise—but thoughtful limitations force innovation, refinement, and intention. Whether it’s working within a small footprint, a set budget, or the unique constraints of sourcing vintage, I believe these boundaries make the design process richer, not restrictive. The challenge isn’t about having endless choices, it’s about making the right ones. I approach each project with this mindset, ensuring that every piece—whether found, repurposed, or newly invested in—feels intentional. The result is a space that’s not only functional and visually compelling but deeply personal and full of life.
Behind the scenes with Léa
With family roots in Nantes and summers spent exploring antique markets, I developed a lifelong appreciation for French design, craftsmanship, and the stories embedded in well-loved pieces. While my career began in vintage sourcing and resale, working on budget-conscious projects, I later moved onto an interior styling and design position for a local custom furniture company, where I fell in love with re-upholstery, textiles, and the intricate details that make a home truly authentic. Learning about custom furniture design fundamentally shifted my perspective on space planning, functionality, and the importance of sustainable practices in the field of interior design.
Maison Burel started as a way to tie my many creative romances together (oil painting, sketching, thrifting, art collecting, space-planning, re-upholstery, and lets be real—gabbing). Today I see this business as a fluid, ever-evolving creative practice—whether styling a shoot, renovating a historic home, designing a custom chair, or hand-selecting artwork for a client, I strive to do it with integrity, in the name of joy, beauty and creativity.
It's absolutely in the little details.
xx Léa
Maison Burel started as a way to tie my many creative romances together (oil painting, sketching, thrifting, art collecting, space-planning, re-upholstery, and lets be real—gabbing). Today I see this business as a fluid, ever-evolving creative practice—whether styling a shoot, renovating a historic home, designing a custom chair, or hand-selecting artwork for a client, I strive to do it with integrity, in the name of joy, beauty and creativity.
It's absolutely in the little details.
xx Léa
