When we think of Paris, we think of Versailles, Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and timeless elegance. Parisian interiors stand for sophistication and Parisians seem to create those interiors in an effortless way.
Lets see what we can learn from them and how we can add this Parisian flair to our home?
room with moulding via Apartment Therapy - living room via Thous Swell
White walls, a beautiful natural wooden floor and moldings will be the perfect base to start decorating and to obtain this Parisian style. Use a traditional color schemes, keep in general all the colors very light for a relaxing interior. Bring in a certain mood by adding paintings, big white and black photography. When you start decorating your home do it in a way that it looks effortless. Your home should never look staged.
image flowers in the back via Instagram - staircase via Cococozy - center table via Design Indulgence
Take some extra care of your entrance hall. Depending on the size of your entrance you could add a console or a center table. Add a bouquet of fresh flowers in case you have some natural light coming in, this will make a great first impression to your guests. And also for you, it will be a nice welcome home in the evening. They master the art of cast iron since centuries. Find inspiration in their French double windows with small balconies and the staircase. The Parisians love to read and have their books all around the house. Why not in the entrance?
staircase via Lynn Byrne - entry way via AD
Black and white floors in natural stone will bring this typical look in to your home. And don’t forget the typical light fixtures you see in the Parisian homes: crystal chandeliers and lanterns. Add a rosette to give it even more cachet.
If your house or apartment doesn’t come with those gorgeous moldings than there are several options to create them at your home. Wood paneling could be a great option for the walls, but it will be to most expensive one. Take a look on some plaster moldings , you will find them also in old buildings for the cornice or ceiling rosette. And than there is is still the option of polyurethane profiles, which exist in different qualities and price ranges. They all should be installed by a specialist.
interior door via Etsy - armchair Togo Ligne Roset - fire pace via Wild Green Yonder
This Parisian style is quite feminine with all the decorative moldings, which are defining the room. Beautiful silk drapes on elaborates curtain rods, a marble open fire place and flowers. The Parisian master as no one else the mix of traditional, classical with contemporary. Don’t put to much furniture in the room, give each piece some space. And when you add some modern design pieces you can also buy them in a stronger color, they will be the accent piece in the room.
kitchen via Pinterest - hanging lamp via Sight Unseen - Louis XVI tea table Moissonnier - regency chair Moissonnier
A modern kitchen is a must in those classical interiors, mixed with a Louis XVI table and some Louis XV armchairs. Colorful fabrics will bring those chairs to the 21st Century and they will be a joy to be seen in the morning while you will enter for breakfast. Replace the classical chandelier with a very modern hanging lamp and this will be a perfect statement piece in your kitchen. Combine style with practical in your kitchen.
hanging lamp via One Kings Lane - zebra printed settee 1stDibs - Mouth cushion Vivienne Westwood The Rug Company - furniture Moissonnier
Parisians have a hand to combine styles in an effortless way. An antique Suzani in combination with a small Louis XVI sofa, upholstered in an animal printed fabric, an artistic looking hanging lamp and a very modern pillow to create an amazing eclectic interior without having fear to get into kitch. What we see here is the white walls which were embellished with a gold touch. The color scheme stays very classical: black, white and red. It is just in the mix that we get this eclectic interior.
Ioko tassel tieback Houles - trimmings Houles - image with gilded mirror via Vita sur Marte
An oversized gilded mirror is a must. To give this Parisian style a more trendy look you could paint the walls in a dark color, but take care that your windows are big enough so the natural day light can compensate. Choose some beautiful materials for the curtains and they will drape nicely on the floor. Use an antique brass curtain rod and add some nice touches by choosing a beautiful tie back and some trimmings.
so what do you need?
white walls with moldings and a natural wood floor
black and white floor at entrance
some beautiful light fixtures: crystal chandelier - lantern - very modern hanging lamps
oversized gilded mirror
mix it all up to create an eclectic interior
do it effortless, don’t over stage
mix classical and traditional with modern pieces
it is all in the details: choose well some trimmings for curtains and pillows
don’t forget the books
This Parisian style is something for your new home? Or just add some touches and see how you can have this look to your home.
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