a stylish french man – nicolas flachot

by Sharon Santoni

vintage letters at kidimo paris

 

Today instead of talking to you about my French girlfriends, I’d like to introduce you to a  Stylish French man.   I’m lucky here to meet many creative and interesting French men who each have a story to tell.  And today I shall introduce you to Nicolas Flachot, the Paris expert in vintage letters and founder of the company Kidimo.

vintage letters my french country home

Nicolas isn’t from an antique dealer background.  He trained in media arts and worked for a while as a producer with a national TV station, but his love of good graphics meant his eyes were always open for cool letters and fonts.  When his first child was born, he came upon the letters of her name Lou while at the Paris flea market one Sunday, and that day a passion was born.

Today he is a reference in the matter, with a huge stock of letters readily available, his stock is sourced all over France and carefully sorted in his Paris warehouse.   He assembles words and despatches them all around the world, carefully matching the style of the letters to the client’s requirements.

vintage letters at kidimo paris

Nicolas lives in Paris and  has furnished his apartment in today’s popular retro style, windows flung open on to a leafy inner courtyard.  Artwork and books displayed with care and of course the occasional vintage  letter.  Furniture is a mix of old and new, the walls white and the original floor boards polished to a light sheen.  He’s not afraid of a little splash of colour here and there.   The result is a comfortable, relaxed home where Nicolas has room for family and guests.

inside parisian apartment my french country home

interior courtyard paris

I love that Nicolas has made his passion into his full time business, and the way he epitomises stylish living in Paris today: eating well, living with design each day.   His life is all about enjoying the moment and keeping it real.

covered arcade paris

all photos by Franck Schmitt

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24 comments

Lora Krech February 2, 2017 - 7:28 pm

Whats the name of the arched walkway in the bottom picture?

Lora

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Cwirth February 2, 2017 - 8:35 pm

To Lora asking about the arched walkway….I believe it is a train station. What makes me think this is the movie entitled “Hugo”. But which train station I do not know. Hopefully Sharon will reply with a bit more insight.

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Taste of France February 2, 2017 - 8:55 pm

Passage du Grand Cerf, I think. Big Deer.
This was a fun post! What a great thing to have been able to turn passion into …. more passion!
If you do what you like, you’ll never work a day in your life.

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Sharon Santoni February 2, 2017 - 10:25 pm

HI Lora, this is the Passage du Grand Cerf in the 2nd arrondissement. One of those very beautiful old arcades that are still dotted all over Paris

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Sandra February 3, 2017 - 11:29 pm

The archway reminds me of the union station in Los Angeles CA

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Matt May 14, 2017 - 6:08 am

Lora, I think it’s sort of a covered mall between buildings, but the address is

5 passage du Grand Cerf, 75002 Paris

Photo on this page

https://www.meilleursagents.com/prix-immobilier/paris-75000/passage-du-grand-cerf-918/5/

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Heather in Arles February 2, 2017 - 7:52 pm

This is so fabulous. And yes, as inspiring as the women! I so hope that this means that a book on the men will be next?! We would all buy it.

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Jeanne February 4, 2017 - 9:45 am

I agree with Heather 🙂 !

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Teddee Grace February 2, 2017 - 8:13 pm

Very enjoyable! More men!

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Ann February 7, 2017 - 5:08 pm

This is awesome. Yes….more about creative inspiring men of all ages expressing their passion through their work would be wonderful.

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Valerie February 2, 2017 - 8:21 pm

Loved this! Yes … more men!

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Colleen Taylor February 2, 2017 - 8:23 pm

What a fabulous graphic delight of a shop he has Sharon. His home looks like a lively happy one as well. X

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Barbe February 2, 2017 - 8:32 pm

His style is sensational and the letters have a graphic quality

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Madeline February 2, 2017 - 8:41 pm

I think that is one of the “Passages” shops in Paris.

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Lorraine Wafer February 2, 2017 - 9:07 pm

How wonderful, style and passion for doing what you love! Such a unique man. Yes more interesting French men are very welcome, lovely way to wake up in Aus.
I too am interested in the arched arcade. We are returning to Paris in May and this time want to see places we haven’t been before. Paris in the Spring.
Cheers from sunny Boomerang Beach
Lorraine

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elizabeth@pineconesandacornsblog February 2, 2017 - 9:59 pm

What a great post! I love to read about people who live and work with passion.

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Debrashoppeno5 February 3, 2017 - 2:48 am

What a fabulous post. When you love what you do it is not work at all.

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jenny steiger February 3, 2017 - 9:34 pm

What a fun job he has! I love fonts, and the mere idea of playing with giant fonts all day would thrill me!

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kristy smith February 3, 2017 - 9:36 pm

I wonder if he could suggest cool letters to spell out ‘cuisine’ in my new kitchen renovation?!

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Katherine February 7, 2017 - 6:39 pm

I can imagine the journeys that Nicolas has taken in his hunt for unique pieces. That too is a story to follow. Love his style and vignettes – great collection on the wall (with the number 2).

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Gabriela May 1, 2017 - 7:44 pm

Great! The next man should be Vincent Niclo, a talented tenor.

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Carol December 1, 2020 - 4:26 pm

When a person finds the business of his life, he does not work another day. This is great!
Every modern man has in his arsenal of wristwatches. They indicate the position in society, as well as the level of wealth. This is the main and perhaps the only decoration in a man’s closet. This is primarily due to the fact that men’s fashion loves rigor. And often men’s etiquette does not include wearing jewelry. And watches such as Seiko Turtle, are an attribute of the image and always in a prominent place. In any situation, they will certainly be noticed and appreciated.

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Mia January 13, 2021 - 9:28 pm

Modern men are very sure of themselves and consider this one of their virtues. They are convinced that they are able to move mountains, and they are not afraid to break moral principles from time to time. Men like Ross Levinsohn Maven are proof of that.

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oliviajohanson2 September 28, 2023 - 8:52 pm

Wow, so interesting, thanks for sharing. I’m actually working on a writing about France, people, fashion and so on, and your article inspired me a lot. I also found some ideas from one source and now I need to put all the info I have into one whole piece.

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