Just thinking of Paris evokes images of iconic skylines, elegant architecture and stylish individuals – it is the home of haute couture, after all. To most of us, the French capital is the very epitome of style, but there’s a real art behind it. Parisian interior design and style is no accident.
“Parisian style is all about creating a smooth aesthetic that feels both timeless and effortless,” says Antonia Mahon, a Paris-based interior designer who specialises in full-service, luxury interior design. “Parisian homes tend to feature a carefully curated collection of furniture and accessories, luxurious fabrics and selected colour palettes that achieve just the right balance between comfort and style. When it’s done right, you don’t even notice all the various elements at play or the skill involved: it simply feels wonderful.”
Why is Paris so particular?
Thomas Jefferson reportedly said that ‘a walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.’ The city is a seemingly endless source of beauty, and it carries its history well, particularly in the remarkable buildings that line its streets and squares, punctuated with fountains, museums, bakeries and boutiques.
“Apartments are generally much smaller than in other major cities,” notes Antonia, “so you have to really understand how to get the best out of every square meter and make your floor space work for you – as well as your wall space and views!”
“Paris might not be a city of skyscrapers, but buildings can be several storeys high and many of the older properties have no room for an elevator, or if they do, it can be a tiny, wrought-iron affair that has been miraculously squeezed into the stairwell,” observes Antonia. “That presents its own difficulties when it comes to renovation, of course!”
Who or what is Haussmann?
You’re certain to hear the name Haussmann if you look into Parisian architecture. Baron Haussmann was a French official (under Napoleon III) charged with redesigning the city centre between 1853 and 1870. He demolished overcrowded medieval neighbourhoods to create the typical straight, tree-lined avenues we know today, which connected train terminals easily and brought more light (and sanitation!) to the city.
“If you hear of a Haussmannian building, you can expect generous, high ceilings, tall windows, beautiful parquet floors and perhaps a wrought-iron balcony,” explains Antonia. “They often have a focal fireplace in marble and decorative mouldings – gorgeous period features.”
Another type of apartment influenced by Haussmann is a chambre de bonne, a type of studio that’s usually found on the top floor and only accessible by a staircase. These rooms would once have been the quarters for domestic servants in Haussmannian buildings, so they tend to be up in the eaves, with tiny windows or rooflights.
These tiny apartments (which often have a footprint of around 9 square meters or 95 square feet) are a real challenge to design, although sometimes two or even three of them have been joined to create one bigger studio apartment. This is wonderful as there is (a bit!) more space and the views over Paris can be incredible!
Historical details
The majority of the buildings in central Paris were built from 1851 to 1914, based on Baron Haussmann’s set of building specifications. So it’s not unusual to find original ceiling roses, parquet flooring, wall panelling or picture rails, and even decorative floor tiles that are over a century old.
“These period details are a joy for interior designers,” explains Antonia, “as the very essence of Parisian design is the juxtaposition of classic and contemporary, the old and the new. I’m passionate about historical architecture, not only the history of the space, but the challenge of drawing out these eye-catching features and tiny details, ensuring that they work with the modern comforts and current lifestyle of the new owners.”
What is chic eclectic?
Antonia’s interior-design company, Blue Sparks, has a proprietary design style she calls ‘chic eclectic’. As the name suggests, this style uses a combination of influences from different periods with diverse textures, designs and colours to create a harmonious whole. The concept for a single room might centre around an Empire-style sofa, then span out to incorporate elements from classic French design, some Art-Deco pieces, a mid-century armchair and a few contemporary touches to lift and surprise.
“It’s like conducting an orchestra, but visually and texturally,” says Antonia. “we need to create harmony from geometric patterns in the parquet, the angles, curves and straight lines of the furniture, the intricate details of the ceiling mouldings, light switches and sockets, the textures of wood, fabrics, stone and glass, and of course placing every piece of furniture from the largest armoire to the decorative sculptures. In terms of colour, I like to draw everything together using a main colour, an accent and a highlight colour as otherwise the eye gets distracted, and the space can feel messy.
“I have a team of highly experienced craftspeople who come into their own if we’re incorporating custom elements into the design, for example made to measure curtains, an atelier window to separate a room or a cast-iron and wood staircase with turn of the century influences. While a lot of skill and planning goes into every design, I like the end result to feel like it has evolved organically and is simply the result of a collection, lovingly curated over many years.”
Parisian Interior Design
“I came to Paris from Ireland in 1999 and have lived in or around the city ever since,” Antonia explains. “Over the years, I’ve learned a great deal about the Paris property market and how interior spaces in Paris work, building on my training through countless encounters and projects, working with many different types of apartments.
“This is a city with a great variety of architectural styles, so it’s an endless source of inspiration and of course each project is different, because each client comes with a unique set of requirements. No two people would use an apartment in the same way, and when I conceptualise a space, I always have my specific client’s needs in mind. In terms of the design style, I thoroughly enjoy mixing period pieces and contemporary accessories to create elegant, chic interiors that are a perfect fit for each of my clients.”
Find out more
Take a look at Antonia’s website where you’ll find lots of practical information and images that are a visual feast for anyone who loves Parisian style: bluesparks.paris
And sign up to her free monthly newsletter and let yourself get inspired!
