French architect Charles Zana, known for his sophisticated interior design work, has revealed insights into his personal aesthetic philosophy and daily inspirations in a comprehensive lifestyle interview. The Paris-based creative professional, who has maintained the same wardrobe style for three decades, discusses everything from his love of blueberries and Bruce Springsteen to his collection of Ettore Sottsass ceramics.

Zana's approach to personal style reflects his design philosophy of timeless elegance. For 30 years, he has worn the same uniform: a navy-blue crewneck T-shirt from James Perse paired with Japanese denim from Superstitch, Alden's classic cordovan leather shoes, and bespoke Le Corbusier 1965 black glasses from Maison Bonnet. "I like to be classic and not have to think about clothes too much," he explains, emphasizing his preference for understated sophistication.

The architect's recent acquisition of a Leica D-Lux 8 camera has reignited his passion for photography, particularly architectural details during his travels. He captures everything from rope-shaped door handles on cerulean-blue doors in Greece to the interior of Carlo Scarpa's final work, the Brion tomb near Treviso in northern Italy. These photographic inspirations directly influence his design work, including the partitions and design elements at his recent furniture exhibition at 242 rue de Rivoli.

The Greek island of Hydra holds special significance for Zana, who first arrived there 20 years ago on a wooden sailing boat with friends. He returns two to three times annually, staying at the Hydrea hotel in an old ship owner's house, visiting the Deste contemporary art foundation, and dining at Veranda taverna with its rooftop terrace overlooking the harbor. His connection to the region extends professionally, as he's currently designing a large private house in nearby Porto Heli, built in Peloponnesian style using local stone, marble, and wood.

Zana's interior design philosophy centers on creating instinctive spatial relationships rather than following rigid rules. He avoids placing furniture at right angles or against walls, preferring pieces positioned at angles to create a sense of freedom. "To be modern, you must take cues from the culture of the site, its location and materials," he explains. His approach involves listening carefully to clients' stories, as demonstrated in his Hong Kong project for an art collector, where he created distinct zones for nature appreciation and music entertainment based on the client's lifestyle preferences.

The French designer Jean-Michel Frank serves as a major inspiration for Zana's work, particularly Frank's ability to blend 18th-century French traditions with 1930s modernity. Frank's work at the mansion of Charles and Marie-Laure de Noailles, now the Musée Baccarat, exemplifies the pure lines and harmonious use of luxurious materials that Zana admires. The parchment-covered walls, off-white furniture, and big wooden doors created what Zana considers "the most luxurious salon of the period."

American artist Cy Twombly represents Zana's style icon, admired for his strong sense of personal elegance and consistency. Zana particularly recalls the Horst P. Horst portrait of Twombly in his Rome apartment wearing a white suit, embodying what he describes as "slightly old-fashioned and overdressed with this inner elegance." His recent music discovery includes Bruce Springsteen's "Tracks II: The Lost Albums," featuring 83 songs spanning five hours and 20 minutes of the artist's American roots music.

Zana's passion for collecting extends to Italian architect Ettore Sottsass ceramics, a collection that began in 2000 with a black vase featuring yellow and blue stripes from the 1957-59 Lava collection. He now owns more than 60 pieces, describing Sottsass as "the first architect to think more like an artist." These ceramics, produced in collaboration with Bitossi for Il Sestante gallery from the late 1950s, were created using Etruscan techniques that Zana finds "simple and rudimental yet unique in color and form."

The architect's home life in his 18th-century Louis XVI apartment in Saint-Germain-des-Prés reflects his design sensibilities. His refrigerator consistently contains almond milk made by his wife Daphné, blueberries and raspberries, Italian parmesan from Barthélémy, and homemade stewed apple made from Pink Lady and Golden Delicious varieties. His bedroom, which he considers his favorite room, features stripped wood paneling revealing the original walls, creating what he describes as "a wonderful warm atmosphere for sleep."

Zana's recent rediscovery of lacquer has led to a new furniture collection inspired by a Jean Dunand chair he spotted at Galerie Vallois during TEFAF Maastricht. His lacquer pieces feature matte finishes in sage, saffron, and brown, handmade at a specialist Paris studio. These pieces embody his aesthetic of being "very pure, almost minimalist." His daily indulgences include natural, unsalted almonds, which he considers essential for his mood and well-being.

The architect's professional tools include a collection of mechanical pencils in wood, brass, and plastic, purchased from Sennelier, a 19th-century Left Bank art shop where he's shopped since his student days. For grooming, he relies on hairstylist David Mallett's Paris salon in a 17th-century hôtel particulier, and has worn L'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme perfume for 20 years, appreciating its woody, amber, and aniseed scent.

Among his favorite architectural spaces, Zana highlights Louis Kahn's Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, praising it as "a very unusual and cinematic space" that represents "a masterclass in calm, light and composition." For art inspiration, he regularly visits Fondation Cartier in Paris, particularly enjoying Jean Nouvel's new building in Place du Palais-Royal. He stays connected to the design world through Instagram accounts focused on creative director content, vintage design, and architectural photography.

Looking toward collecting dreams, Zana expresses admiration for Barbara Hepworth's sculptural work, particularly drawn to the "rigour and poetry" of her geometric sculptures. He cites her 1964 bronze "Figure (Walnut)" as exemplifying the raw purity he finds compelling. The transformative artwork in his own life remains Constantin Brâncuși's "Endless Column," which he describes as representing "coherence and strength" through its simple repeated form executed in various materials.