Maison Plage: Your New Favorite Print Destination

An ode to the meeting of unlikely things: images, artifacts, artworks and ideas.

Photo: Courtesy of the brand.

I grew up in a home surrounded by art and books, most of them, collected by my parents for years during their trips. Undoubtedly, their unintended curatorial skills have had an enormous impact, not only on my current taste but on my natural way of seeing and perceiving beauty around the world.

A couple of months ago, while scrolling through Instagram, I ran into a photo of a pile of books that immediately caught my eye. Chagall, Roseline Moreu, and Godard were some of the names on the books’ spines that made me want to know more about the project behind the picture. It was Maison Plage, a creative outlet and destination of fashion, art, design, and photography books, rare titles, and my soon-to-be favorite new account.

I reached out to Kelly Croteau, who has been traveling widely to hand-select a collection of titles reuniting images, artifacts, artworks, and ideas, as well as consulting with private individuals, stores, and brands for her project, Maison Plage.

Photo: @maisonplage

Georgina: Looking at your book curation, I can tell your interests revolve around the visual arts, fashion and design. Did your education or work experience belong to these fields as well?

Kelly: I have never had any formal training surrounding art or fashion, however, it has always been something that I have been passionate about since I was little.

G: What inspired you to create Maison Plage?

K: A need for a creative outlet, books touch on everything that I am interested in, travel, art, fashion, photography etc. Maison Plage has also allowed me to curate which is really where my interest really lies, I've curated collections for interior designers and libraries for online retailers. The collection I've curated for Maison Plage also speaks to the brand.

G: I read on your website that you find an important number of your titles when traveling. Which ones have been, so far, your favorite destinations? What role has traveling and learning about other cultures played in this project?

K: Covid didn't help in regards to traveling, however Paris I would say has been my #1 spot so far and my favorite. I think traveling is very important and crucial for growth and reflection. This project has allowed me to do more than I thought possible. I've met people that I would have never met if it were not for Maison Plage. It has been amazing to connect with people who share the same passion and appreciation for the arts. Having a shop that has vowed to offer a variety of titles new out of print and rare, I knew I would be forcing myself to travel which is what I wanted.

G: Can you describe your ‘book hunting’ process?

K: I don't have a formal process, I know it when I see it.

G: What catches your eye in a cover? What elements make you want to open THAT book?

K: Something original, it doesn't always have to be this super loud cover, even something subtle can be great depending on the project.

G: What makes a book “rare”? How do you find a rare title?

K: I would say a rare title would be a limited edition or a 1st edition. A title with limited copies or a title that is no longer being printed.

G: Which one do you think has been your best finding so far?

K: Anything that has made the client as excited as I was when I found it! Something else to add is that I have learned a lot from people I've found books for. There are some photographers and artists I would have not learned about if it weren't for them.

G: As a big fan of Sofia Coppola, I found the rare and out-of-print titles collection very inspiring. Is there any artist or subject that you would like to dedicate an upcoming collection?

K: I would like to do a collection on mushrooms!!

G: I know this question should be illegal, but do you have a favorite book? And what about your favorite book from Maison Plage?

K: I know Slim Aarons is everywhere now, however seeing his books in my early 20s is what really got me into coffee table books. They're a must for every library.

G: In a digital world, why is print still important?

K: It allows you to be present. I remember what I see in print more so than anything on Instagram. I am inspired by what I see in print more so than in digital. There is great content on Instagram however I think it gets lost due to being over-stimulated with the endless scroll and the constant need to keep producing more content. Books are something you can have in your home and can look back to if needed. In the home or office, they tell a story and make the space more personal. There is something about touching and turning a page that is special. People have emotional attachments to books.

Photo: @maisonplage

IG: @maisonplage