Established in 2009, YMER&MALTA is dedicated to conceiving and producing exceptional objects and furniture renewing with French traditional excellence. YMER&MALTA is the quest of Valérie Maltaverne’s taste for noble materials, her passion for craftsmanship, and her wish to develop and push forward French arts and crafts by giving them innovative momentum.
Favorite place to visit in France, and why?
Brittany for its colors, its ever changing light, its sky and sea that are never the same, for its landscapes and traditions.
Favorite place to visit in America, and why?
The Dia Beacon. I go there whenever I can. I love the pieces exhibited there and the setting is pretty incredible, on the banks of the Hudson River.
What do you think the French can learn from Americans?
An appreciation for success. Speaking about and making money is a culture.
What do you think Americans can learn from the French?
The love of hosting inside your home and preparing home cooked meals.
Favorite French film?
“Les Tonton Flingueurs.” Typically French humor, a great classic traveling beautifully through time without a wrinkle.
Favorite American film?
All of the Tarantino movies. If I had to pick one I would probably pick “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” but it’s a difficult choice. I love all of them. I still remember the “Pulp Fiction” premiere at the Festival de Cannes, we were mind-blown.
Favorite French actor or actress
Romy Schneider
Favorite American actor or actress?
Meryl Streep
Most important French figure in history, and why?
Simone Weil for her strength, her bravery. A woman who fought in a world dominated by men, who fought for the freedom of women.
Most influential American figure, and why?
Frank Lord Wright. He revolutionized architecture without any concession. His architecture embodies everything that I love.
What is your favorite American luxury?
Wide spaces, the national parks that are extraordinary.
What is your favorite French extravagance?
There is a lot of extravagance in the world of haute couture. This extravagance is necessary for creation.
Favorite American food?
Un good hamburger with a lot of ketchup and all the toppings.
Favorite French food?
The sole Meunière, simple and delicious.
The quality you most admire about the French and Americans?
I like the enthusiasm of the Americans. For the French, I would say their simplicity and sincerity.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My daughters Louise and Joséphine.
Which talent would you most like to have?
To be able to play bass like Keith Richards or Jimi Hendrix.
Name three people, dead or alive, who you would most like to have dinner with?
Jean Baptiste Colbert is one of the most important ministers of Louis XIV, founder of all of the great manufactures.
Manufactures are places in which the pieces are produced essentially by the hand of man. Like the manufactures of Aubusson and Gobelins for tapestry, the Manufacture de Sèvres for ceramics, The Baccarat crystal factory for glass.
Eileen Grey for her creativity and for all of the experiments that she led around the “métiers d’art.” She said, “To create, you must first question everything .” Nothing for me is more true.
Hayao Miyazaki. He revolutionized animated movies and his world is so poetic. This Japanese genius of animation inspires me.
Relative to your field of study, what is the most important tradition to keep alive?
The transmission of Savoir-Faire, céramique, tapisserie, ferronnerie, sellerie.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
To feel a sense of accomplishment by always having fulfilling and meaningful projects.