Marie-Joe Bouffard has always had an eye for style. Raised in Quebec City, Canada, her parents brought her along on all their adventures, teaching her the values of culture, language, and way of life at a very young age. As a mother of two of her own, Marie-Joe and her husband wanted to instill the same values in their own children, and traveling the world has since become a hobby for all of them to enjoy together. After moving to Texas from Montreal in 1998, the entrepreneur taught herself the ins and outs of interior design, spending her days turning their house into a home. Her timeless, classic style caught the attention of friends and neighbors who immediately inquired about hiring her to implement the same touch to their own homes. After moving to Nashville in 2003, her career took flight.
An advocate for curating personal and serene spaces, Marie-Joe is keen on reflecting personal tastes and styles into her clients’ homes. Whether it’s taking inspiration from the elements of food, patterns, or textures, she continues to implement the distinction of customs and traditions into both her home and studio. Combining her passion for design and travel, Marie-Joe loves collecting items to help tell her story. Most recently, she and her daughter spent time in Japan, where she indulged in everything from paintings to pottery to bring back home. Whether it be meeting the artist behind a painting in Europe or right here in Nashville, she believes there is something unique and special about one-of-a-kind pieces that build on your own personal experiences.
“When you surround yourself with pieces that tell a story and recall those special moments, it feels like you’re bringing a piece of that back with you,” she shares. Speaking on the influence of visiting places rich in history, especially architecturally, she says, “It’s always interesting to revisit the past and be inspired by that. The idea for me is not ever to copy or emulate what’s already been done, but to be inspired by it and reinvent new twists on those classics.”
Officially opening her studio, Le Studio, in Berry Hill nearly three years ago, Marie-Joe wanted to create a space to inspire; favoring classic over trendy, her own approach includes an organic modern touch, layering walls with both art and memories.
Deeply embedded in every step of the process, JFY Designs is a full-service firm committed to crafting spaces that captivate its clients. Originally, Marie-Joe stored all the treasures she found abroad in a warehouse where she would help clients find pieces for their home, but due to the popularity, she ultimately decided to create a sample room in the studio dedicated to showcasing these items. With lots of original art ranging from every price point, Marie-Joe loves introducing timeless pieces as well as supporting local artists.
“At the root of it all, we try to find pieces that have soul and are not as new and shiny,” she explains. “When we’re bringing these things to a client’s home, we’re already bringing a little bit of the story into their home. I’m always adamant about leaving my own taste at the door and figuring out what their style is, what they love, and what their story is.”
For more information on JFY Designs and Le Studio, visit their website and follow them on socials.
@jfy.designs
"When you surround yourself with pieces that tell a story and recall those special moments, it feels like you’re bringing a special piece of that back with you.”