Maxime Old ( 1910-1991) was born in 1910 into a family of master cabinetmakers who had been established for several generations in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine. His father, Louis Old, already owned a cabinetmaking workshop when he married Maximilienne Carosi, herself the daughter of a master cabinetmaker of Italian origin. This union led to the merger of the two workshops at 37 rue Chanzy, which Louis Old now managed. Assisted by his wife and some fifteen workers, he produced stylish furniture for major furniture stores and private customers. Maxime Old soon unveiled an elegant modern style, increasingly refined and adapted to a demanding private clientele: industrialists, politicians, lawyers, doctors, dentists3 … He took part in all the Salons des Artistes et Décorateurs until the 1960s, signing numerous award-winning innovations. His success led to the opening of his own gallery on avenue Hoche in Paris, where he presented his work and introduced young talents, including ceramists who went on to become famous. Several institutions asked him to teach his art, including the École nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs, where he directed the interior architecture workshop. Gradually, in parallel with the production of furniture and ensembles he designed for his private clientele, Maxime Old developed an interior architecture business geared towards institutional clients: prestigious liners, banks, embassies, luxury hotels, which gave him the opportunity to change the scale of his creations. All his experience was needed for the fitting-out of the liner France, which kept him busy throughout 1961. Following a competition, he was entrusted with the design of the first-class lounge, an immense prestige volume with a floor area of over 500 square meters. Whether for a cruise liner or a presidential palace, he had to use the latest technologies and new materials for these large-scale projects. This level of expertise enables him to create the entire furniture and architecture in which it will be installed. The result is particularly coherent and consistent artistic ensembles, characteristic of his personality. From his initial training with his master Ruhlmann, Old always let drawing take precedence in the creative act. He likes to structure and order space to better “install” his creations. After a neoclassical interlude with antique references and lots of bronze, the neo-baroque movement didn’t appeal to him. During France’s post-war “re-furnishing” period, he used oak, walnut and ceramics to produce a neo-rustic style with streamlined lines. Finally, in the 1960s, brushed steel, orange lacquer and yellow nylon made their appearance. Maxime Old is the decorator who knows how to remain elegant for all occasions, in all eras.