Source: Pinterest. Photographer unknown.

Another look very close to my heart. With a French mother and most of my family living in the most beautiful capital city in the world (yes, I am biased), I have spent a lot of time in Paris. So much so, that there are few styles - to my mind at least - as beautiful and alluring as the Paris Apartment Style.

Yes, it is called Apartment, but no, you don’t have to live in an apartment to try it in your own home. It is just that as with most big cities, most Parisians live in apartments rather than houses. Unless they are very rich of course!

Tip 1: The Paris Apartment look is not the same as the French Country look

The first thing to understand is that this style is nothing like the French Country Decor style so many of us love (see my blog on that style here).

Equally as beautiful, the Paris Apartment look is a simpler, more minimalistic look, with furniture much less likely to have a distressed look.

Whereas surfaces in the French Country look tend to be made of stone, slate or distressed timbers, the Paris Apartment look is more elaborate, with floors typically surfaced with parquetry timber floors and walls adorned in white-painted wall moulding. Windows also tend to be floor to ceiling and covered with pooled curtains.

Tip 2: Start with a few key pieces

Paris homes should feel curated rather than crammed full of ‘stuff’

The ideas is to start with a few key items.

Key amongst them is the gilded mirror - if you have a fireplace, then make sure to give pride of place above the mantel.

Also key is at least one romantic and classical glass chandelier. Sending light dancing around the room, this look is both elegant and sophisticated.

When it comes to furniture, you can choose from a number of options. Perhaps you prefer a more modern looking velvet sofa to instill a sense of luxury. Or perhaps you would prefer an ornate Louis XIV styled chair? Maybe rattan seating is more to your taste. Rather than be concerned with style, aim to create a room that feels loved and lived in.

To wrap it all up, don’t forget your walls. Art prints are popular but you might also want to include some feature walls with wallpaper.

Source: One Kings Lane

Tip 3: Don’t over-style your home

The Paris look is one that starts with the basics and then tastefully adds furniture and decor as appropriate. The French see their home as a reflection of themselves and are less concerned with creating a magazine-worthy interior than creating a home full of warmth and all the good things in life.

Bookshelves are stacked with books as they are placed by their owners - rather than by size or colour. Throws and cushions are naturally dented rather than artfully so.

Yes, the Paris Apartment look is a sophisticated one, but also one that is meant to look understated and lived in. Otherwise, where is the joie de vie?

*CoteMaison-Studio-85-By-Casaromani-et-Conscience*

Tip 4: Mix but don’t match

Finding bespoke vintage pieces at a local flea market is a favourite pasttime in France and as a result Paris apartments are almost always furnished with an eclectic mix of furniture and styles.

The idea is to furnish with purpose or intention - if a particular piece speaks to you, then place it in your home. If not, then don’t buy it just because it is currently in fashion or something your friends have. Paris decorating is an independent sport - to get it right, you have to be faithful to your own style, not those around you.

Tip 5: Stick to a (mostly) neutral palette

Key colours here are whites and greys. They are staples of the look.

You can then introduce some subtle colour by introducing pastel shades of blue-grey or pink to create some interest.

However, as there really are no rules other than ensuring that the home is decorated in good taste, you might also want to consider a few brighter pops of colour such as emerald green or gold. So long as these brighter colours are applied with restraint, then there is nothing to stop you from having some fun.

Alternatively, if you want to keep things really simple, then another popular palette is the achromatic colour palette (black and white), perhaps with a splash of colour here and there.

*Source: Aziza Oren and interior designers Anna Epstein and Ety Azougy from Ando Studio*

Did you enjoy this blog? Keen for some help with a particular look? Then don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or reach out to me via my socials.

Ax

Paris Apartment Decor - Get the Look