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.
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.
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.
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. Â His life is all about enjoying the moment and keeping it real.
all photos by Franck Schmitt
24 comments
Whats the name of the arched walkway in the bottom picture?
Lora
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.
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.
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
The archway reminds me of the union station in Los Angeles CA
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/
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.
I agree with Heather 🙂 !
Very enjoyable! More men!
This is awesome. Yes….more about creative inspiring men of all ages expressing their passion through their work would be wonderful.
Loved this! Yes … more men!
What a fabulous graphic delight of a shop he has Sharon. His home looks like a lively happy one as well. X
His style is sensational and the letters have a graphic quality
I think that is one of the “Passages” shops in Paris.
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
What a great post! I love to read about people who live and work with passion.
What a fabulous post. When you love what you do it is not work at all.
What a fun job he has! I love fonts, and the mere idea of playing with giant fonts all day would thrill me!
I wonder if he could suggest cool letters to spell out ‘cuisine’ in my new kitchen renovation?!
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).
Great! The next man should be Vincent Niclo, a talented tenor.
When a person finds the business of his life, he does not work another day. This is great!
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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.