Houzz Tours
Paris Houzz: Elegance Meets Period Features in a French Apartment
A stunning traditional interior mingles with clean lines and contemporary furniture in a stately French home
This French family of five called on interior designer Lichelle Silvestry to completely replan their new 284-square-metre apartment, adapt it to their lifestyle, and to give the dwelling a breath of fresh air. The apartment resides in a Haussmannian building (designed by Baron Georges Eugène Haussmann in the 19th century) and is nestled in Paris’ Trocadero quarter.
“After living at the four corners of the globe, this charming family contacted me on Houzz. They had seen my profile and liked my renovation projects. We immediately sensed that it was a perfect match, and we really enjoyed working together. Their interests – art, music and travel – inspired the design and decoration of the space,” says Silvestry.
“After living at the four corners of the globe, this charming family contacted me on Houzz. They had seen my profile and liked my renovation projects. We immediately sensed that it was a perfect match, and we really enjoyed working together. Their interests – art, music and travel – inspired the design and decoration of the space,” says Silvestry.
Dating to 1913, this building benefits from beautiful period features: solid oak flooring, mouldings, decorative woodwork and marble fireplaces. These were carefully preserved as a reference to its history.
The work on the apartment included a complete renovation of the bathrooms and kitchen, the creation of a spacious laundry, the replacement of all the electrical wiring, and meticulous work on indirect lighting to create an intimate and cosy cocoon.
The work on the apartment included a complete renovation of the bathrooms and kitchen, the creation of a spacious laundry, the replacement of all the electrical wiring, and meticulous work on indirect lighting to create an intimate and cosy cocoon.
Most of the rooms stayed in their original places, other than the kitchen, which was inserted into the heart of the home. “We also took care to create a lot of storage for this family of fashion lovers,” says the interior designer.
Ready to redesign your home? Find an interior designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Ready to redesign your home? Find an interior designer near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
The existing tiles at the entrance were matched with contemporary and radiant decor. The soft tones on the walls underscore the couple’s art collection. This was matched with a black sofa with contemporary lines and several features in light wood, such as this custom-made oak table.
The solid light-oak flooring was restored in order to wrap this home in a bubble of softness.
The apartment before works.
This previously outdated apartment was fitted out in a perfect mix of old and contemporary.
This previously outdated apartment was fitted out in a perfect mix of old and contemporary.
The apartment after works.
The minimalist design of the dining room marries light wood and white to create a coherent decor that extends the kitchen space.
The minimalist design of the dining room marries light wood and white to create a coherent decor that extends the kitchen space.
The interior designer worked in furniture pieces and works of art that already belonged to the owners. “The client’s interest in design was the reference point for the decoration of the space,” says Silvestry.
“We therefore created a perfect equilibrium between the classic architecture of this flat and the contemporary furniture pieces that dress each of the spaces,” says Silvestry.
The new kitchen.
As in most Haussmannian apartments, the old kitchen was in the back of the apartment. This was transformed into an office to facilitate working from home.
The new kitchen is in what was once the dining room. This light-filled space is a stylish mixture of light wood, off-white and gilt brass.
The benchtop and the splashback are decorated in a quartz with beige tones, which works well with the wooden facades of the kitchen cupboards.
A large central island is accompanied by bar chairs for day-to-day meals.
The living and dining rooms before works.
The couple took care to preserve the grand sightlines in this apartment, which is laid out with large reception rooms opening into one another. At the same time, they updated the decor with furniture pieces featuring clean lines, and black graphic accents.
The couple took care to preserve the grand sightlines in this apartment, which is laid out with large reception rooms opening into one another. At the same time, they updated the decor with furniture pieces featuring clean lines, and black graphic accents.
The living and dining rooms after works.
The kitchen, dining room and living room are now gathered at the heart of the apartment for increased comfort and everyday practicality.
The kitchen, dining room and living room are now gathered at the heart of the apartment for increased comfort and everyday practicality.
The living area after works.
Perched on the fifth floor, this apartment has magnificent windows, so it was already very bright. The palette of neutral tones, matched with plush textiles, reinforces the brightness by distilling a soft and pleasing ambiance.
In the main bedroom, the original fitted carpet was replaced with light wood in broad planks.
The main bedroom after works.
A pair of vintage wall sconces and a braided leather armchair bring a subtle retro touch to this minimalist decor. Two geometric night tables match the lines of the bed, mixing taupe, pearl-grey and white.
The bathroom before works.
The old bathroom with its basic decor has given way to a new, ultra-sophisticated space with its fair share of high-end materials.
The old bathroom with its basic decor has given way to a new, ultra-sophisticated space with its fair share of high-end materials.
The bathroom after works.
“We narrowed the adjacent bedroom slightly to expand this bathroom. It now includes a generously proportioned shower, a bidet and a vanity with two sinks,” says Silvestry.
“We narrowed the adjacent bedroom slightly to expand this bathroom. It now includes a generously proportioned shower, a bidet and a vanity with two sinks,” says Silvestry.
The bathroom adopts the same decorative codes as the other rooms in the apartment, in mixing light wood and beige, with several brass accents in the fixtures.
Textured tiles are matched with a vanity top and splashback in Corian to create a Zen ambiance.
Your turn
Which rooms in this stately home are your favourites? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
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Your turn
Which rooms in this stately home are your favourites? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Missed last week’s Houzz Tour? Catch up here with this classic and colourful Berlin Houzz: How Statement Window Furnishings Charmed a Home
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A family with three children
Location: Paris, France
Size: 284 square metres
Duration of work: 6 months
Interior Designer: Lichelle Silvestry Interiors