Maison Plage; Mastering the art of book curation and styling
The process taken by Maria Kyriakos
Choosing books for a person is akin to composing a symphony. Each book is a note, each chapter a crescendo, contributing to a narrative that speaks to the individual’s soul. It's not just about the genres; it's about crafting a stack that can challenge, soothe, or inspire a reader at any given moment in their life. It becomes a piece added to their nest.
A rainy day in Los Angeles, a rare one at that. A day greeted by the sounds of windows pattering, the look of puddles forming, cars slowing down, yet the scent of Jasmine is tantalising that Spring is here.
You walk into Alfred's coffee, the new one on Beverly Blvd, it’s empty today and you know why Los Angeles is in hibernation. Almond latte in hand, you walk around the corner to Martel Avenue. A brick building offers you historic insight into the architecture that once was. You walk toward it, slowly to avoid the puddles, wipe your shoes before entering.
At the very top of the staircase is a chandelier hanging above. To the left is a door left ajar, you place your palm on it and slowly push; Welcome to Maison Plage.
A literary oasis. The air is thick with literary nostalgia, each corner of the boutique whispering stories of the past. Books stand waiting to be rediscovered and cherished in new homes. A space coated in warmth (not only from the heater) but from the richness of the books neatly stacked on the wooden bookshelf to your right. In the centre stands a circular, rich, oak wooden dining table, and a striped vintage lounge chair.
You are transported to a little French library in Provence.
As you walk further in, you spot Kelly Croteau, the heart and soul of Maison Plage. She’s there, immersed in her work, carefully curating the collection with a passion that only someone who truly loves books and cares for the community has. Her energy is calming, inspiring, drawing you into the space even more.
Maison Plage is a unique environment where the past and present collide, where the art of literature meets the elegance of fine curation, it becomes a new world to escape into.
Each book turns into a new memory for the reader who chooses it.
Interview with Kelly Croteau at Maison Plage
Kelly Croteau at Maison Plage
Books are not just bound paper; they are windows to other worlds, mirrors of our own experiences, and bridges connecting us to distant places, ideas, and people. But what happens when someone takes the time to carefully choose a stack of books that speaks directly to who you are, where you are, or the moment you’re living in?
I sat down with the lovely California-born Kelly Croteau over an almond latte, to discuss her journey in creating Maison Plage. We not only shared our love of Chateau De Versailles, rather the ways in which inspiration hits because of creativity.
In 2019, Croteau founded Maison Plage, a unique brand that blends the laid-back charm of the California coast with the timeless elegance of Paris. As both a creative and avid book collector, Croteau holds a deep belief in the enduring value of books.
With Maison Plage, Croteau has crafted a space for people to escape, find inspiration, and curate their own personal libraries. The books available reflect the brand’s ethos, showcasing vintage, rare, and independently published titles that capture a sense of timelessness and authenticity. Beyond offering this carefully curated collection, Croteau collaborates with retailers, interior designers, and hotels to help them build bespoke book collections that complement their unique spaces. I have learnt that showcasing your book collection is a craft, you do need Croteau’s eye to view the space, to lay out all of the books you own, plus hers, this is a unique talent and truly adds to your space.
Whether you're a lover of rare finds or just looking to create a space that feels like home, Maison Plage invites you to explore a world where books are not just objects, but gateways to new experiences.
Maison Plage celebrates the lasting value of books in a world dominated by fleeting digital content. By curating vintage, rare, and independent titles, Kelly Croteau encourages people to slow down and build personal libraries that inspire and reflect their unique tastes.
This brand’s collaborations with designers and hotels also show how books can transform spaces, creating lasting, intellectual, and emotional connections. In an age of disposability, Maison Plage reminds us of the enduring power of books to inspire and elevate our lives and spaces.
“Maison Plage really merges the beach and books”
E When and why did you create Maison Plage?
K I started Maison Plage in 2019. I just wanted to do something that had more creativity, because I had worked in marketing for so long. I wanted Maison Plage to be something of course, I just wasn’t sure exactly what it would be. I was always curious about books and the way they can represent people and accompany spaces. I was also curious about people that had style, and that were interested in books too. I wanted Maison Plage to be authentic, with real people involved! So, I started putting some custom stacks together for people I found online based on a series of questions and peoples Instagram grids.
Life is all about the connections with people.
E What is the most unique book you have found? Or your favourite story in finding something?
K Probably the Posters of Picasso. Or anything in France that we have found. There’s this one book I found, this snake embossed book, it was really cool and I just know you won’t find that anywhere online, it’s too unique!
There are so many secrets to finding books.
E What is your favourite country to source books?
K France! When I was starting Maison Plage and coming up with the name before it was books it was something else. I was going to get all these old surfboards and paint on them and do these intricate things on them and sell that. Then I said wait, I have always given books as gifts and I just started to collect them.
E What does the beach mean to you?
K I just feel like the beach is so calming, I feel like if I wasn’t living in a place that has a coastline then I would feel landlocked. I don’t have any bad memories at the beach, it just encompasses my childhood which was so great living in Southern California.
“If everything sucks, at least you have the beach”
Me & The Book Of The Month: ‘We Tell Ourselves Stories by Alissa Wilkinson’
In this compelling cultural biography, New York Times film critic Alissa Wilkinson examines Joan Didion's influence through the lens of American myth-making. As a child, Didion was enchanted by John Wayne's cinematic heroism and drawn to her California pioneer heritage, including the infamous Donner Party. These formative myths would go on to shape her work as a magazine writer and film critic in New York, where she would explore and deconstruct the narratives that defined her career. At the same time, the allure of the entertainment industry would eventually pull her back to the West.
Shop ‘We Tell Ourselves Stories’
E What is the most rewarding part of Maison Plage for you?
K Honestly, it’s just the people. I love connecting with people. Having them come in for appointments and them coming into the store. I just love telling stories and meeting people and hearing theirs!
E What are your goals for Maison Plage and its future?
K I think just having the book-store, I am so content with this, and just let people know that this is a place for peace, where they can come and read, see books, and feel connected.
I just want to be able to keep buying books and curate libraries and continue to grow!
Next time you walk past your bookshelf, consider this: What stories does your current stack of books tell about you? And if a curated stack could amplify your essence—your past, your present, and your dreams—what would it look like?
A well-curated book stack on a table might become the perfect companion for someone seeking a moment of escape, or a reflection of the home aesthetic and ethos. Curating books for places is about creating a tactile atmosphere that welcomes guests into a world of narrative—whether they’re there for a moment or an afternoon.
Maison Plage address is 183 N Martel Ave, Los Angeles, California.