Garance Vallée is a Paris-based artist, architect, and designer whose multidisciplinary practice merges architecture, design, and visual art. Her work explores the connection between the human body, space, and objects; reflecting on intimacy, domesticity, and our place within nature. Breaking free from conventional boundaries, Vallée creates a deeply personal and organic universe across sculpture, installation, drawing, and interior architecture.

Guided by intuition and experimentation, her practice embraces slowness, emotion, and physical experience as essential tools for creating meaning and connection.

In this interview, Garance Vallée opens up about how motherhood, mental health, and moments of stillness shape her creative practice. She shares her self-care rituals, the emotional depth behind her work, and the importance of listening to the body and trusting intuition; offering a heartfelt reflection on creativity, balance, and the art of slowing down.

AS: What are some self-care practices that you find most benefit your work & creative output?

GV: I never start the day without taking time for stillness and listening to my body. I always begin with long, deep breaths—no phone. Every morning, my husband, Franck Pellegrino, brings our baby from her room into our bed. It might sound cheesy, but that morning cuddle fills my emotional battery.

I take care of my mental health because I know that if my mind is in a good place, everything else flows more easily. Long walks help me reset and find inspiration. And this year, I’ve really learned to embrace boredom. The creative process is long and intense. Some days are empty and idea-less, and that’s okay. We live in a society that pushes for constant output and growth, but I believe in letting slowness and silence be part of the process, without guilt.

AS: In what ways do you nurture your mental and emotional health to maintain creativity and inspiration?

GV: What works best for me is looking outside my own discipline. To generate new ideas, I need to find inspiration in other fields. Comparing myself to others in my own world only creates mental knots, so I stay curious about unexpected things. 

Since becoming a mother, I pay more attention to curiosity—seeing through my child’s eyes, noticing details, slowing down. I write a lot before I begin a project. Words help anchor my ideas and remind me why I create, giving my work meaning and keeping me grounded in who I am.

“WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY THAT PUSHES FOR CONSTANT OUTPUT AND GROWTH, BUT I BELIEVE IN LETTING SLOWNESS AND SILENCE BE PART OF THE PROCESS, WITHOUT GUILT.” - Garance Vallée

AS: What practices or routines do you incorporate into your daily life to support your work while maintaining your creative energy and mental well-being?

GV: As an artist working with space, atmosphere is everything. I make sure my atelier is warm, comfortable, and open—a place where I can move freely and feel safe. Music is a huge part of my process; it sets the tone and helps me disconnect from the outside world.

To protect my mental space, I dedicate quality time to the most simple version of my art: a sketchbook and pen. I typically do administrative or commissioned work in the morning, then return to the blank page. I also go out when I need a shift in perspective. I can’t do the same thing all day, alternating modes keeps my energy alive.

AS: How do you handle setbacks or challenges in your creative endeavors while still prioritizing your well-being?

GV: Setbacks can hit hard, especially because my work is so personal. When something doesn’t work out, it’s difficult not to take it personally. I can be emotional, and it sometimes leads to moments of doubt or even breakdowns. I find myself asking, “Why did they stop the project? Did they not like my ideas?”

When that happens, I try to step away. I avoid scrolling or spiraling in doubt. I shift focus to helping my husband with his projects, which helps me reconnect with my intuition and confidence. Supporting him also gives me distance from my own work and reminds me of my value as an artist and a thinker.

AS: What specific environment or settings do you find especially conducive to both self-care and creative inspiration?

GV: Even though I’m naturally a homebody, traveling and stepping outside of Paris refreshes my perspective. My creativity flows when I experience new places and rhythms. I also try to spend as much time as I can with loved ones.

My family has gone through a difficult time recently, my mother has survived two brain cancers in the last four years. Being close to her keeps me grounded. And becoming a mother myself this year has deepened my understanding of care. It’s made me prioritize what truly matters. I’ve shifted from a sprint to a marathon mindset. Life is fragile, and creating space for what and who matters most is now at the heart of everything I do.

AS: Best self-care advice you have received?

GV: Trust your gut. And never do anything without intention.

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