Interview with Marine Madani

Interview with Marine Madani

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Mother of Liv, entrepreneur, and together with her husband Luca Madani (@lucamadani ), hospitality curator at @lemoulin_andco and co-founder of The Host, Marine Madani brings together a sharp eye for detail, a love for beautiful spaces and a deep appreciation for the art of hosting.

In this conversation, she opens up about the delicate balance between motherhood and entrepreneurship, the unexpected arrival of her second baby, and the importance of building a “smart” business that leaves room for family life.

Her approach to interiors is equally thoughtful: pared-back, organised and intentional, with fewer objects chosen for their beauty, their place within the space and, above all, their purpose. From the warmth of wood to the character of striped outdoor pieces, Nobodinoz naturally finds its place within this vision of a home that is stylish, functional and made to be lived in.

For Marine, hospitality is about the little things: taking the time to cook, setting a beautiful table, a handwritten note, a fresh flower by the bed. Also, about creating spaces beautiful enough to inspire, but never too precious to truly live in. We’ve talked about motherhood, hospitality, everyday rituals, thoughtful interiors and that simple, perfectly real moment she would freeze in time: sitting in a comfortable armchair with Liv in her arms, sharing a long hug

Round tablecloth with fringe Green cabana stripes

Welcome to Nobodinoz Talks, Marine! Between running two beautiful guesthouses, curating addresses for The Host, and raising Liv, we imagine your days are pretty full. How do you balance your entrepreneurial spirit with your life as a mum?

I have to admit, it’s quite complicated to juggle the two and be truly present 100% of the time. When I’m with Liv, I try to be fully present: not answering an email at the same time or listening to a WhatsApp voice note… but it’s hard, it’s a real effort! I’m also the kind of mum who still sends birthday invitations by post, or who compares and tests 15 different skincare products to decide which ones I’m going to put in the bathrooms of my guesthouses. So I’m quite demanding of myself.

But for me, the key is organisation and prioritisation. I have a way of working where I set myself a time limit for each task and never go over it (for example, answering this interview will take 45 minutes, no more!). And above all, you have to remember that you can’t do everything alone. If I’m able to move forward, it’s because I’m surrounded by the right people: my husband in everyday life, Liv, who is an easy-going child, my housekeeper at Le Moulin, and my partners at The Host.

You recently shared the wonderful news of your second pregnancy after a long and emotional journey. Has this new chapter changed the way you think about the pace and rituals of your family life?

No, quite the opposite! It challenges me even more to build a “smart” business that will allow me to dedicate time to this new baby. Liv came into our lives as an achievement, the happy ending after years of struggle. This second baby, on the other hand, feels like a miracle, something that is almost unreal to me. So both are celebrated with daily gratitude.

With your keen eye for hospitality, you have created beautiful spaces like Le Moulin with your husband. When it comes to your own family home, what is the essential feeling or visual element you always prioritise to make it a true refuge?

I need to avoid feeling too visually “cluttered”, so I like my interiors to be quite pared-back and organised. When my home isn’t tidy, neither is my mind, and my whole day feels like it’s going in every direction (especially because I work from home!). So I prefer to have fewer objects, but to choose only pieces that 1) I find visually appealing, 2) have found their natural place within the apartment, as if the space had been designed for them, and 3) serve a real purpose.

Outdoor beanbags in Toffee blue stripes

How do Nobodinoz pieces fit into your vision of a family home that is both stylish and functional?

The wooden bookshelf brings character to the space without making it feel cluttered, thanks to its clean lines that allow the room to breathe. The wood adds warmth, and the piece itself is inherently useful.

The dresser is an essential piece in a guesthouse, allowing guests to unpack and store their belongings during their stay. And it’s not necessarily an easy piece of furniture to find when you have a sensitivity to beautiful design!

The outdoor armchairs, finally, add an ultra-photogenic touch with their stripes, while also being incredibly comfortable.

You manage and curate several exceptional places to stay. Where does your deep passion for hospitality come from, and what is the one detail or feeling you always want every person entering a space you’ve thoughtfully created to experience?

I’ve always loved having people over: taking the time to cook, setting a beautiful table, finding great products to share…

The little details are what make all the difference: a thoughtful note, a fresh flower on the bedside table, and that feeling of being surrounded by beautiful things, but beautiful things that allow you to live real life, without having to tell the kids: “Careful, don’t touch that, it’s fragile!”

Bookshelves stained wood Noon
Bookshelves stained wood Noon

If you could freeze one perfectly real and authentic everyday moment with Liv at home right now, what would it look like?

Me, simply sitting in a comfortable armchair, with Liv in my arms, giving me a long hug.

As an expert at discovering exceptional places, what are your absolute favourite kid-friendly addresses in Paris?

For getaways and places to stay with kids, I 100% recommend Repère Sauvage, Solézane, Le Barn Hôtel, Youza Ecolodge and Villa Albertine.

In Paris, for activities with children, I really like the workshops at Izibaby, Aktéon Théâtre, the baby workshops at the Centre Pompidou and La Maison des Histoires. And on my to-do list of places I absolutely want to try: Bulles et Billes, as well as the Minis Pollock workshop at Atelier d’Arts Rrose Sélavy.

Sideboard Heju x Nobodinoz