Romance, fashion, freedom, a special charm - it's all about him ... about alluring Paris. If you are also inspired by this city, then why not make an interior in a Parisian style at home? Luxury, charm, antiquity subtly intertwined with modernity. This is the interior design in the Parisian style. And this is a special philosophy. Let's try to unravel?
Inspired by antiquity
Native Parisians are always inspired by the historical past. Therefore, every resident of France with special respect and reverence for the historical monuments and architecture of Paris. Millions of tourists from all over the world travel to the capital of love, romance and history to experience this preserved historical atmosphere.
It would never occur to a true Parisian to take off a shabby, but rich in history, parquet, change the copper handles on the doors and replace them with modern ones. On the contrary, the cult of every Parisian is to preserve old things and skillfully turn them into dignity and pride. Of course, the exquisite interior in the style of Paris will not do without objects with history.
The unity of the past and the present
A slight nostalgia for the past has found an imprint in modern design. The Parisian style in the interior of the apartment is saturated with retro details in a modern design vision: new bold shapes and even color.
The Parisian interior style is dominated by sophisticated strict classics. To some extent, this style is eclectic. No, there are no bizarre, unimaginable mixes of paints and materials. We are talking about the ageless details of classics (capitals, antique furniture, canvases, pilasters) with author's vases, outrageous paintings, designer lamps. This contrast adds a modern, dynamic spirit to old rooms. However, the transition from old to new should be so subtle that the interior looks as harmonious as possible.
Paris is freedom
This is not to say that an ordinary Parisian apartment is spacious. Because the abundance of details visually gives a feeling of fully captured space.
However, even the smallest living space looks quite spacious and bright. And this is another paradox of Paris.
One of the important secrets: it is not customary to hang windows tightly. Even in a tiny miniature apartment, there may be three to four tall windows. In Paris, this is considered an advantage, not a flaw.
The interior in the Parisian style seems spacious due to the special layout. Often the owners eliminate unnecessary walls and partitions. So it turns out a functional and "breathing" studio apartment. Usually they combine the kitchen with the living room, and the bedroom with the study to squeeze the maximum area out of each square of the living space.
Crouching on the edge of grace ...
Massive bulky furniture in Paris is not held in high esteem. Such furniture is perhaps comfortable, but does not match the subtle taste of Parisians. The modern Parisian style in the interior involves sophisticated harmonious and very neat furniture. And it doesn’t matter - it will be expensive, antique, budget, or made with your own hands. The main thing is thin silhouette flowing lines, beauty and grace.
If there is large furniture in a French apartment, then there is not much of it. The gold standard is the living room. It usually has a small sofa, a daybed or a couple of neat chairs. You can put an elegant display case or a rack for trinkets, a console table and a coffee mobile. If the studio apartment in which the living room is combined with the kitchen, then there should be a table and non-trivial shaped chairs.
Many Parisians try to add an original piece of furniture made by themselves. This unspoken tradition is not accidental, since Paris is the epicenter of the fashion industry, and not only in clothes, but also in furniture. Here, almost every resident is a little free artist and a talented creator.
A pinch of modernity
Love for the contemporary work of designers and artists is the main source of inspiration for the French. Even in the most modest apartment there is a place for an original art object.
Many Parisians purchase designer items at flea markets, sales, and exhibitions. The main thing is to be able to recognize and evaluate the exclusivity of a design subject, not being tied to the price and place of sale.
A conceptual installation, a surreal statuette enriched with a secret meaning, must necessarily be in the Parisian style of the interior. Originality, intelligence are the main coordinates along which the bohemian mysterious and such alluring Parisian world is built.
Simple - it's not boring
Creating an interior in a Parisian style is both easy and difficult at the same time. This is another paradoxical difficulty.
Easy as there are a lot of finishing materials to choose from. The main rule: use classic techniques that are time-tested. Moldings, cornices, some moldings on the ceiling. It is permissible to use not only familiar gypsum, but also modern polyurethane to create stucco moldings.
Parquet is replaced with a laminate under a real tree. The flooring is laid traditionally: French herringbone.
As upholstery fabric, Parisians acquire natural ones: velvet, leather, wool, linen, cotton. Lace can be present even in a bachelor men's apartment. Moreover, the texture of fabrics is often alternated: velvet gives way to silk, and matte surfaces - shiny.
Paris color
Shades of colors are natural as are fabrics. Light neutral natural shades dominate, which successfully combine the textures of fabrics and furniture.
Favorite Parisians - pearl gray, powdery, milky, pale blue, cream. And to give the interior of the apartment depth and expressiveness, contrasting colors of black, burgundy, dark blue come to the rescue.
Parisian patterns do not irritate the eye. Strip, zigzag, goose foot, graphic floral ornament and medium-sized animal print.
The difficulty lies in the implementation of the Parisian style. It is important not to overdo it and keep a balance between the luxury of classics and the simplicity of modernity. Thin as a blade, the edge. This is the main thing.
Parisian style apartment: ideas in detail
The design feature is in the details:
- "Flea" details. France is the birthplace of flea markets. Be sure to visit them. Here you can “dig out” real antique furniture, interesting decor elements: paintings, mirrors, watches, candlesticks. The candelabrum is the main element of the Parisian interior of the apartment. It adds sophistication and originality to the room, keeping the focus of antiquity and modernity.
- Pictures in black frames or photographs must be in the interior of the living room. One of the favorite artists of Parisians is Paul Gauguin. His paintings give special warmth. And to give Parisian special breath helps a black laconic frame with brilliance.
- Drapery is one of the main elements of the Parisian style. The rich texture of the curtains and curtains make the windows worthy of the Queen’s apartment. Particular attention should be paid to cornices. Do not hide them. Quite the contrary: they make the interior luxurious. And forged cornices with twisted tips emphasize French elegance.
- Gilding in a cream duo will add sensuality to the room. Mirrors are an indispensable attribute of the Paris interior. Thick, covered with gilding and floral embossed pattern, add harmony and luxury.
- More light: the room should be spacious: high ceilings, large windows and plenty of daylight. As artificial light, you can use sconces made under candlesticks, floor lamps with an original fabric lampshade. Classic table lamps as an additional source.
- Furniture - “Parisian”: rounded streamlined shapes, interesting texture. The main thing is high quality materials (wood and solid fabric). Furniture should be neat and neutral. France is famous for sophistication, not vulgarity.
- Delicate colors: calm matte shades of cream, white, milk, light beige look concise. Flooring - laminate or parquet.
Vintage black and white photographs look very stylish in a modern interior. Photographs by Robert Duano, Henri Cartier-Bresson add specific contrast and significant emphasis.
Inspired by the work of Philippe Starck
If you want to create a French style in the interior, ideas can be borrowed from Philippe Starck. He is the most famous industrial designer of interiors and eclectic objects in France. It features a special ironic approach to creating interior design projects. Not afraid to mix different styles.
Philippe Starck combines the cultural heritage of different eras with the progressive elements of modernity. But this distinctive irony does not go into kitsch. If you want to understand the essence of Parisian interior design, then look at the work of Philippe Starck.
The combination of vintage and creative art objects is the main feature of the Parisian style. Parisians would not be Parisians if they did not have a keen sense of style and fashion in their blood. They are able to harmoniously fit modern things into the classic interior design. Another distinctive feature of Parisians is that they artfully introduce vivid conceptual shades of sensual colors, creating a “Parisian” typical mood. Why don't we learn from them?