One of the things I've noticed in Paris is that everyone loves their neighborhood best! That's how we feel about our "little village" in the 7th Arrondissement. But if we think we have 7th heaven, I'll admit there's another neighborhood that is possibly at the very tip top on the celestial scale, and not just because of its proximity to Notre Dame (or its famous Berthillon ice cream!). Sitting in the heart of the Seine, Ile St. Louis is resplendent with 16th and 17th C architecture, cobblestone streets, elegant façades, and a timeless charm that tells the stories of centuries past. The streets are filled with quaint cafes, coffee shops, art galleries, florists and restaurants that fill every need.
So when we were offered the opportunity to renovate an apartment here, we welcomed it enthusiastically ... despite some obvious challenges.
Walking in, the apartment felt cold and the cement floor didn’t help. Narrow doorways, dark ceilings and zero storage added to the chill. Still, some of those beams wore their original paint, telling 300 year old stories, while high ceilings, long windows and a massive fireplace added to the grandeur. We knew this was more than just a remodel. It deserved respect!
The bones of the apartment had a beautiful fireplace and windows - but felt chilly and cold
The main bedroom, before
Cement floors and very little storage, before
A dark and dated bathroom, before
To get there, we tore the place down to basics but took care to show off its historic details. We replaced the floors with historically correct parquet de Versailles, restored the beams and painted the ceiling a lighter color, so the beams would stand out. The fireplace got a good cleaning, the doorways were expanded, the kitchen was redesigned, and we added ample storage along with two bathrooms.
And then, serendipitously, a small tapestry painting spoke to us, from the back corner of a Parisian antique shop. When we spotted it, we knew instantly that this 17th Century pattern (one that was used as a model for Aubusson tapestries) should be the inspiration for the décor: Its soft colors and rich feel guided our choices for walls, fabric, and even little accents. This little one helped us bridge the past and the present, adding warmth and character everywhere. And when we found other actual tapestries to round out the décor, along with Pierre Frey’s beautiful du Lac wallpaper in the guest bedroom, we knew it had all come together.
Our muse: The little tapestry painting that became the inspiration for all the furnishings
We picked up the same motif with Pierre Frey's wallpaper, "Au Bord du Lac"
And we wove the same colors in the living room
Dining Room
And main bedroom
We lightened and brightened the kitchen
And the bathrooms
And in keeping with the color palette that our clients had so embraced, we added a "Delft blue" Lacanche oven in the kitchen
We sourced another 18th C. Aubusson tapestry for the main bedroom
And we gave our little tapestry painting its own place of honor, sitting atop an 18th C. tapestry table!
It's funny how that often happens: How art can be the catalyst for the décor. Because we chose something that was rooted in the 17th Century, we were able to find other pieces that either played nicely with or complemented the modern elements in the apartment.
We loved the opportunity to revive this charming spot on Île Saint-Louis. It’s a place where history and modern life hang out together, and we think it tells a pretty great story – through the tapestries and more.
Ta ta,
HH
