Home tour: A Parisian apartment blending 18th-century grandeur with curated antiques

Tatler Asia

02-05-2025

Above The bright and cheerful apartment with pops of vibrancy and drama
Above The 18th-century carved gilded mirror atop the fireplace
Above The Venetian snake-design table and marble apple
Although the property had undergone previous renovations, and Silvestry's design team was brought in to decorate the modernised space, they faced an extraordinarily tight timeline due to restrictions implemented in anticipation of the Olympic Games held in July of the previous year.
'Given the scale of the project, even minor delays could cause a ripple effect, so keeping everything on track required precise scheduling and constant communication,' divulges Silvestry, who was hired in April before receiving the keys in June on the day the purchase was finalised.
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Above The 18th-century Florentine painting from Yveline Antiques in the dining area
Above The antique chandelier's delicate design plays off the glamorous architectural features
Above First edition Wishbone chairs by Carl Hansen provides a contemporary respite
She adds: 'While working within the constraints of available stock items, and facing delivery delays due to restricted access to the area caused by preparations for the Olympic Games, we took a proactive approach by maintaining flexibility in our design selections, ensuring that every design decision stayed true to our vision.'
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Despite these challenges, Silvestry completed the project in just three weeks, delivering a bright and cheerful apartment with dramatic elements that exceeded the clients' expectations.
'The space is beautiful, and I love a good challenge,' she reflects.
Above The blue-toned kitchen area with wooden herringbone-patterned flooring and white cabinetry
Above Family-friendly surfaces with enhanced charm overtime while allowing carefree enjoyment
Above Henry Walter Klein's midcentury teak chairs with reupholstered in bright blue fabric by Pierre Frey
Based in Paris, the interior designer enjoys access to exquisite antique pieces from the Marché aux Puces and other specialty markets throughout the city. A serendipitous discovery of a stunning gold and green mirror and chandelier from Lila K Antiques inspired the apartment's design direction.
'The green was already within the apartment palette and the chandelier's delicate design was as glamorous as the architectural features,' Silvestry explains.
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Above One of the bathrooms with fixtures reminiscent of the building's illustrious past
Above Another bathroom is fitted with a more contemporary vanity and colour
In the freshly repainted living room, the 18th-century carved gilded mirror now crowns the fireplace. Creating visual harmony, an 18th-century Florentine painting from Yveline Antiques depicting Adam receiving the forbidden fruit adorns the main wall.
'To add a sense of intrigue and humour, the painting was complemented with a pair of stunning Venetian snake-design tables and an 18th-century marble apple,' she reveals.
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Above Refreshing hues of blue in the guest room with arched doorways
Furthermore, for the dining area, Silvestry also managed to find first edition Wishbone chairs by Carl Hansen alongside a complementary 1960s Scandinavian-style table crafted in France.
Meanwhile, Henry Walter Klein's midcentury teak chairs, reupholstered in Pierre Frey fabric, anchor the breakfast nook in the kitchen with its wooden herringbone flooring, lending character and authenticity to the classic design.
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'We also reupholstered some swivel chairs with Dedar fabric–both outdoor fabrics for long-lasting, heavy-duty use,' Silvestry notes. 'Considering their young children, we selected surfaces that develop a beautiful patina over time, enhancing the charm while allowing carefree enjoyment.'
Above The primary suite through the ornate architrave and French doors
Above The children's room adheres to the overall green colour palette
'My favourite aspect was having the opportunity to enhance the beautiful volumes and extraordinary Parisian space of the living room and kitchen,' the interior designer concludes.
'The lofty ceilings and intricate architectural details provided the perfect foundation for restoring some of the home's original grandeur through a refined yet unexpected interplay of textures–making this project one of my favourites.'
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Credits
Photography: Benoît Linero