Postcard from Paris
Ann's been busy lately with a full slate of interior design projects which are keeping her shuttling between Paris and Florence (we know it sounds great but she's got enough funny stories to fill a book). It's a lot of hard work but she's whipped up some wonderful results and we're thrilled to share one of our favorites with you here.
Perched above the charming rue Saint-Dominique, the light-flooded Haussmann apartment is a Parisian dream come true - but this beauty needed a bit of work to get to its current state of loveliness. Walls came down to make room for chic living space, a spacious bedroom, a sleek built-in kitchen and two bathrooms. A soothing creamy white paint and iconic French moulding jazzed up the walls and the existing white marble fireplace is now the focal point of the living area.
Playing off new oak parquet floors (let's use the pretty French term for them: "Point d'Hongrie") and the high-gloss kitchen, Ann kept the interiors simple and classic, using a mix of antiques she sourced in Paris, edgy art and a soupcon of crystal and gold to add a layer of sparkle.
In the living area, which is drenched in the most gorgeous Parisian light, Ann went with neutral fabrics and upholstery with touches of pink, gold and a hint of leopard. "We love using vintage Hermes scarves as a kick-off point for our inspiration," she says. She was able to hunt down a perfect example which pulls the entire space together. Dark gray Louis XVI-style armchairs are a perfect complement to the creamily upholstered sofa while a dramatic Greek key trim adds glamor to the dining chairs. "We're always looking for a way to incorporate the special details," she says.
"I love to use a few traditional French decorative pieces in our designs here in Paris. They make the space feel so special by capturing the romance and elegance of Paris." In this case, Ann sourced a stunner of a mirror to sit above the existing fireplace as well as an intricate crystal chandelier, both discovered at Ann's favorite haunt, the flea market. A stately Louis XVI black commode with a marble top and brass inlay grounds one corner, accentuated by a punchy abstract framed in a fabulous antique frame.
For a wow moment in the entrance, Ann sourced a cheeky Dalmatian print wallpaper from Thibaut Designs and an absolutely charming demi-lune table with its original marble top. "The legs on the demi-lune just make me smile. They are so sassy!"
And, there's plenty of art. "I love sourcing our Huff Harrington artists for our Paris projects and then I'll mix in some old, crusty portraits, landscapes or still lifes to add that special gravitas," she says.
In the bedroom, a soothing Schumacher textured wallpaper in muted shades goes hand in hand with pale blue curtains and soft pillows.
This gorgeous jewel box of a Paris apartment has always been one of our favorites. In fact we recently had a client reach out to us and ask for her own jewel box, "just like Conti!" (We were more than happy to oblige ... so stay tuned for a part deux in a few weeks!). If you would like to know more about Conti, please click right here. And if you'd like your own Conti jewel box some day, write to us at Paris@huffharrington.com.
Stay tuned for more design projects coming in hot from Huff Harrington Paris!
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What happens when two committed Francophiles, art lovers and design junkies get together over a bottle of red wine? A fine art gallery with a little je ne sais quoi is born, followed a few years later by its home furnishings and décor sibling.
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