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Houzz Tour: Subtle Elegance Meets Period Features in a Paris Flat
Beautiful period features and decorative details have been given centre stage in this elegantly understated renovation
This French family of five called on interior designer Lichelle Silvestry to completely replan their new home, a 284 sq m flat in a Haussmannian building in Paris’s Trocadero quarter, to adapt it to their lifestyle and give it a breath of fresh air.
“After living at the four corners of the globe, this family contacted me on Houzz – they had seen my profile and liked my renovation projects,” Lichelle says. “We immediately sensed 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.”
“After living at the four corners of the globe, this family contacted me on Houzz – they had seen my profile and liked my renovation projects,” Lichelle says. “We immediately sensed 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.”
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 flat included a complete renovation of the bathrooms and the kitchen, the creation of a spacious laundry, the replacement of all of the electrics and meticulous work on indirect lighting to create an intimate and cosy cocoon.
The work on the flat included a complete renovation of the bathrooms and the kitchen, the creation of a spacious laundry, the replacement of all of the electrics and meticulous work on indirect lighting to create an intimate and cosy cocoon.
Most of the rooms stayed in their original positions, other than the kitchen, which was moved into the heart of the flat. “We also took care to create a lot of storage for this family of fashion lovers,” Lichelle says.
Find an interior designer on Houzz today.
Find an interior designer on Houzz today.
The existing tiles at the entrance are matched with a contemporary and radiant decor. The soft tones on the walls underscore the couple’s art collection. This is matched with a black sofa with contemporary lines and several features in pale wood, such as this custom-made oak table.
The solid oak flooring was restored in order to wrap this home in a bubble of softness.
Previously, this outdated flat was a mix of styles.
Now, the minimalist design of the dining room marries pale wood and white to create a coherent decor that extends the kitchen space.
Lichelle worked in furniture pieces and works of art that already belonged to the owners. “The clients’ interest in design was the reference point for the decoration of the space,” Lichelle says.
“We therefore created a perfect equilibrium between the classic architecture of this flat and the contemporary furniture pieces that dress each of the spaces,” Lichelle says.
As in most Haussmannian flats, the old kitchen was in the back of the flat. This was transformed into an office for working from home.
The new kitchen is in what was once the dining room. This light-filled space is a stylish mixture of pale wood, off-white and gilt brass.
The worktop and splashback are quartz with beige tones, which works well with the wooden fronts of the kitchen cabinets.
A large central island is accompanied by bar stools for day-to-day meals.
The couple took care to preserve the grand sightlines in this flat, which is laid out with large reception rooms opening into one another (seen here before the renovation). At the same time, they updated the decor with furniture pieces with pure lines and black graphic accents.
The kitchen, dining room and living room are now gathered at the heart of the flat for increased comfort and practicality.
Located on the fifth floor, this flat 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 ambience.
In the main bedroom, the original fitted carpet was replaced with broad, pale wood floorboards.
A pair of vintage sconces and a braided leather armchair bring a subtle retro touch to the minimalist decor. Two geometric bedside tables match the lines of the bed, mixing taupe, pearl grey and white.
The old bathroom, with its basic decor (seen here) has given way to a new, sophisticated space with its fair share of high-end materials.
“We narrowed the adjacent bedroom slightly to expand this bathroom. It now includes a generously proportioned shower, a bidet and a vanity unit with two basins,” Lichelle says.
The bathroom is decorated in the same style as the other rooms in the flat, with a mix of pale wood and beige, plus several brass accents in the fixtures.
Textured tiles are matched with a counter and splashback in Corian to create a relaxed ambience.
Tell us…
What do you like about this Parisian apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Tell us…
What do you like about this Parisian apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A family with three children
Location Trocadéro, Paris, France
Size 284 sq m
Budget €275,000 (around £236,500)
Duration of work Six months
Interior Designer Lichelle Silvestry of Lichelle Silvestry Interiors
Photos by Heidi Feldman