MILAN — Boiserie, the French art of wall panelling that rose to the fore in the 17th century and again during Art Deco, is having another moment.
David/Nicolas, the Lebanese design duo formed by Nicolas Moussallem and David Raffoul in 2011, is known for their flair for imbuing Lebanese, Assyrian and European influences into their work. They are gearing up to unveil La Boiserie, a new stand-alone project dedicated to wall paneling.
The installation, which will debut April 20 at their new Milan hub on Via San Maurilio 19, will immerse visitors in their distinct world with a spatial experience.
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To enhance the set-up of La Boiserie, artworks from a private collection were chosen to create a dialogue between art and architecture. The selection includes De Natura Deorum (2013) by Carlos Aires, a gold leaf and digital print composition; NYC Contemporary Ballet (1980) by Robert Mapplethorpe, a silver gelatin print, and Annunciation, a 19th century gold leaf work in a wooden frame piece by an unknown artist.
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Since 2019, David/Nicolas’ interior design projects and contemporary boiserie have created fresh modern living spaces from Amman, Jordan, to the Hamptons. In the Hamptons, they used French oak paneling with triangle engraves for a private residence commissioned by 1818 Collective interior design firm cofounder Kristin Fine in 2025. In 2022, they outfitted Casa di Fantasia, a home envisaged by design legend Gio Ponti, with French oak base with mahogany marquetry, as well as triangle inlays backed on silk wallpaper. All of these projects are distinct for their motifs and accents that imbue contemporary elements with the nuances of nature.
A Unique Business Model
In an interview in their showroom, the duo told WWD their unique boiserie business model involves a customizable system in which clients select shapes (curved, flat or angular) and motifs to suit their space. Each piece is tailored, not ready-made, so it meets each client’s individual needs. Every detail, from shelves to lighting and artwork placement, is part of the design process.
“Historically, boiserie has always reflected its time, whether in the 18th century or during the Art Deco period. Today is no different. We are in a moment that looks both to the past and to the future, and boiserie becomes a medium through which this dialogue happens. It translates the spirit of the time while remaining deeply rooted in craftsmanship,” Moussallem said.
A Link With Milan
The duo founded their studio after meeting at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts. Trained in architecture and interior design, they quickly formed a partnership rooted in a balance of imagination and logic.
Born in Beirut, the studio has rapidly grown internationally. They opened a Milan office in 2021 and also have a presence in San Francisco, working across interiors, furniture and product design.
Both Raffoul and Moussallem said they share a connection with the Italian design capital, as they both pursued a master’s degree at Scuola Politecnica di Milano 13 years ago. Raffoul moved to Milan in 2020 and Moussallem in 2022. Raffoul spends two to three months a year in New York and Milan.
“Milan is a hub for design — it’s vibrant, filled with history and inspiration. It’s where pioneers like Gio Ponti worked, shaping design on a global scale. I love how the legacy of designers like him still resonates in Milan today,” he added.
New creatives to the city include fashion designer Tina Lutz Morris, Dutch designer Marcel Wanders and British designer Edward Barber. The flow of fresh residents has been a boost for local business, but has had an inflationary impact — from rents to the price of a dish of pasta.
In 2018, the city of Milan launched a plan to offer enticing tax incentives to lure international tax haven seekers, a number that rose to 1,495 from 263 in its first year, 2018. The tax break consists of a flat tax of 200,000 euros a year covering all foreign incomes.
“Milan is deeply inspiring. Its tradition, its architectural details, and the layers you discover over time all feed our work. It’s not an obvious city, and that is precisely what we like about it,” Moussallem said.
Building Internationally
Through high-profile collaborations with Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery, Nilufar, and renowned brands such as Buccellati, Pierre Frey, Cc-tapis, De Gournay and Vista Alegre, the studio has established a strong international presence. Beyond interiors, they also create custom furniture pieces and collaborate with furniture brands like Cecotti and Tacchini.
At the moment, the firm is focused on the U.S. market, which has been growing steadily with projects in San Francisco, Atlanta, the Hamptons, Miami, and New York. They also have projects in Saudi Arabia, Africa, Dubai, Beirut, and Paris. “We see the American market driving some of the most exciting opportunities,” Raffoul said.
A Boiserie Boom
Within the world of high-end real estate, boiserie is on the rise again. Last year, Féau Boiserie opened a showroom in New York’s D&D Building building to tap into an uptick in demand for high-end interiors.
Since the industrial boom, America’s rich and famous families have relied on French taste and know-how to outfit their homes with the sort of Neoclassical flair found in the palaces of France. While the Gilded Age and its families have lost some of their luster, there is still room to expand in the U.S.
“Boiserie is coming back because it brings warmth, depth, and a sense of individuality to interiors,” Moussallem explained, adding the firm is focused on building La Boiserie step by step. “It is all about detail and craftsmanship, and it creates something that is inherently unique to each space and each client. In our work, even when we start from existing models, every piece is adapted and transformed. It becomes something specific to the person and their environment.”