the essential
Stéphane Thébaut, the journalist and presenter of MaisonFrance 5 for more than twenty years, is the star guest of the Salon de l’Habitat in Tarbes until Sunday evening. An informed observer, he evokes the need for events like this and projects itself into the house of the future. Interview.
Stéphane, tell us why you are here at this Tarbes Home Show?
These fairs are essential skills hubs for those who have housing or life projects. We are not professionals in insulation, building, or development. This cannot be improvised. It’s good to come and have this contact with specialists. It is something essential and full of common sense to address these people rather than browsing the internet where there is everything, but not always the right answers… Especially since here, the range is wide. It’s better to meet those who are going to do it for you…
The house is a constantly evolving work site, isn’t it?
Public expectations are changing. Just look at the kitchen. Before, it was an isolated space where the woman often found herself alone. Today it is open, it can be shared. Barriers disappear in the habitat. Today, luxury is the space to use an automobile slogan. We are not moving towards larger houses, but we are thinking about spaces differently, so that they are or appear larger. The second evolution is smarter, more connected homes.
Aren’t we heading towards too many connections…
Everyone is greedy for these trends. We will have connection everywhere, then we will rethink the organization and use of this connection in a more reasoned way. All these developments contribute to improving our daily lives.
How to be comfortable in your home?
You have to compose it according to your habits, your places of life, your location, your own traditions too. The house must be a reflection of one’s personal journey. It must have emotions and be in line with those who inhabit it. It’s a place to recharge your batteries. You have to feel good there before impressing the gallery.
What advice would you give to the public?
Treat yourself, according to your priorities. There are many technical solutions. All these pros have them, more and more virtuous. They sell life projects and must have a personified approach, getting into the customers’ story. There are no good sales but only good purchases. As for the price, you have to think about it throughout its duration and its daily use. Saving 10% to optimize your interior without going through an architect will ultimately cost you more because you have to redo what has been done. These investments, for a kitchen, a bathroom, you will benefit from them every day, for twenty years. These are essential things to build your nest.
What about insulation standards?
From 2025, we will no longer be able to rent thermal strainers and that is normal. Afterwards, it’s very complicated to keep up with the news, in terms of the aid schemes which are evolving. Hence the idea of discussing at trade shows to be informed, especially in this sector which has progressed enormously with sourced and comfortable materials. People in many industries amaze me with their innovations.
