A French Revolution
Event Furniture Design Startup Turns Heads with Modern, Funky Aesthetic
by Sue Arrowsmith | Published in December 2006 Focus on Manufacturing & Rentals
Stackable modular lights, inflatable glowing bars and bright orange outdoor furniture — event furniture designers and distributors Jean Marc and Katy Benichou are as colorful and quirky as their creations. Most recently, they have been turning heads with their new jigsaw puzzle-like couch, the Qar (“kar”) Couch.
Originally from Paris, the couple moved to Florida hotspot Miami just over a year ago in pursuit of the “American dream.” They established Bubble Miami, an event furniture and accessories rental company, in July 2005.
This month, they will introduce the Qar Couch, which was created in France by Belgian designer Frederik V. H. Eereveld. Bubble Miami is the exclusive U.S. distributors of this sleek and modern seating design made from Arpro, a new durable foam material that is strong yet light. Complementary pieces such as end tables will be available in the near future.
The couch is composed of connectable foam slices, available in an array of colors, including black, gold and magenta, that fit together to create individual five-slice seats or can be assembled to create a couch of any length. Each slice can hold up to 300 pounds and will be available for rent at $20 a piece.
The idea is to customize your own design, according to the design duo. “We want to give freedom to the people,” says Katy Benichou.
Jeannie Walsh of Miami-based Touch Catering calls the new couch “a very cool piece” and already has plans to use it for upcoming events.
Continental Style
The two designers’ diverse personal styles are the essence of Bubble Miami.
“My style is a combination of classic and modern,” says Jean Marc Benichou. “Katy is more funky.”
To this, she simply smiles and offers, “I am his muse,” as she looks adoringly at her husband seated across their spotless white living room in Aventura, Fla., where they live with their three children. A decorative piece that resembles an atom molecule dangles from the ceiling just inches away.
The result of their mix-matched partnership is a collection that is both chic and versatile. Walsh is a longtime fan.
“They have a very unique product that you can’t find anywhere else,” says Walsh, who has used Bubble Miami’s inflatable and illuminated collection for several occasions, including last year’s Miami Wine and Food Festival.
Walsh said for one event they even provided custom-made covers for the bubble furniture to the match the event’s color scheme.
Back in France, Jean Marc Benichou was well-known for his unique tableware. After completing his formal training at the prestigious Beaux-Arts school in Paris, he owned and operated a party rental company for 20 years where he specialized in making dishes from glass, porcelain and even mother of pearl. His co-designer, and wife of 15 years, joined him after working as a pharmacist.
“People knew when they wanted to find something unique, go to Jean Marc,” she says in her French-inflected English.
In Miami, the two are making waves with their fun, elegant designs. The couple is currently collaborating on an inflatable canopy with lights and are also interested in distributing paintings and sculptures by renowned French artists, such as Marie Grange and Claude Rousseaux.
A Bubble New York could also be in the future for the two, who are planning a move to the city sometime next year. They also plan to open a location in Los Angeles soon, and hope their family business, which ships their products throughout the country, will expand to reach new metropolitan areas.
“We want to be known as the Europeans who can bring new things to the U.S.,” says Katy Benichou.