The exposition showcases several winning Leleu designs, such as the two-door cabinet with ivory escutcheons which remains a Grand Classique of Leleu, but also numerous other pieces of furniture decorated with ivory, mother of pearl, lacquer, bronze or shagreen.

For example, the tripod Coffee Table goes back to the days of the great ocean liners such as the Ile de France, the Liberté, the France or the Normandie for which Leleu was one of the main decorators. These vessels connected Le Havre to New York on a regular schedule, and they could be considered as floating French Ambassadors for the French way of life (l'Art de vivre Français)

Some of the pieces in this exhibit were designed in France for American interiors, as Maison Leleu, with Baccarat and Porthault, had their own showroom in New York as early as 1948. Located at 55 East 57th Street, New York, Leleu remained for nearly two decades in America.

Jules Leleu was a family man and Maison Leleu always a family business. A business run with every family member involved, creating a great atmosphere. Wives, nephews, sons and daughters; all contributed to the great quality furniture and interiors, which were never pompous, but always stylish, warm and welcoming.

Françoise Siriex

Françoise Siriex was a decorator and collaborator of Leleu for over 30 years.
She is the co-author of Le Tapis Français du XXe siècle, Edition de l'Amateur
& the Honorary President of Les amis du Musée des Années 1930.

Françoise Siriex is currently working on the catalogue raisonné on Leleu, which will accompany a traveling Exhibition organized by Le Musée Des Années 1930, in Boulogne-Billancourt near Paris, and the Musée de la Piscine in Roubaix.