Photo: Sue Aran
The charm of Parisian interior design is as romantic as it is chic and as skillfully mixed as it is casual. The French are imbued with a deep sense of history and have created an eclectic style over many centuries that combines different eras effortlessly; classic and contemporary, from Louis XIV to Philippe Starck. If you are intimidated by French design you needn’t be. Here are six simple guidelines you can follow to achieve that je ne sais quoi, undefinable, style.
First, while each room of a house or apartment needs to be looked at as a separate space, they need to have an inherent compatibility or what I like to call beautiful bones, the basic blank canvas of architectural elements: shutters, window frames, doors, hardware, fireplace surrounds, mirrors and moldings. These can be viewed in museums, books, photographs, paintings, films and first-hand during Les Journées du Patrimone weekend, Parisian Heritage Days, when all châteaux are open to the public for free.
Photo: Sue Aran
Second, a neutral color palette will not only tie the elements of a room together, it will also set a mood. Old postcards whose images of artfully distressed peeling paint and fading colors evokes quintessential French design. Parisian interior designers use variations of the same subdued color with bold accents from the opposite side of its place on a color wheel. Decorative paint finishes which evoke a feeling of time-worn and weathered surfaces are also used and easily available in most paint stores. There is even a black wax which when thinned emphasizes rather than hides imperfections and creates an aged look to walls and furniture.
If you’re feeling bold there’s nothing a coat of gilding, the application of gold leaf or gold paint, won’t brighten.
Photo: Sue Aran
Third, it’s important to add an authentic note to any room by investing in at least one piece of good furniture. An antique armoire, free standing closet, or fauteuil, armchair, add contrasting flavor to any space. The French don’t care about everything matching. By mixing something old with something new, a rough yet refined look is produced. The French have a flair for things that are as beautiful as they are useful.
Fourth, the use of textiles is important when pulling your Parisian look together. The French use textiles liberally. Old boutis, handmade quilts, are used for bedcovers, throws, table covers and curtains as well as rugs which make a room appear layered and cozy. Toile de Jouy, the figurative, monochromatically dyed fabric which is the most recognizable French fabric, is used for bed linens, drapery and even stretched on wooden wall battens and used for wall coverings. It instantly evokes the charm of old France as do vintage mattress ticking stripes of cream and indigo, woad, or cornflower blue and red or rose madder and gray. White linen draped over a four-poster bed or used as drapery also adds a seductive atmosphere creating shadows of tranquility in any room.
Photo: Sue Aran
The fifth most important feature to any French interior is lighting. The French do not over-light their interior spaces. They prefer indirect, ambient light from chandeliers, wall sconces, candelabra and candles. Harsh, bright light shows furnishings and people at a disadvantage. No matter how splendid your interior design is, if your lighting is wrong it will ruin the space you’ve created.
And finally, no Parisian room would be finished, including the bathroom, unless it was layered with objets d’art and objets trouvés; objects of art and found objects, including memorabilia, souvenirs, paintings, sculptures, books, ceramics and tableware.
Photo: Sue Aran
You don’t have to be living in Paris to achieve a Parisian look to your home, apartment or even your workplace, nor do you have to be wealthy. You just have to follow these simple tips to create a quintessentially French interior design.
Helpful terminology:
Friperie – Usually sells only antique bed and table linens.
Marché aux Puces – Flea market.
Vide-Grenier – Empty attic market.
Brocante – Secondhand store.
Antiquités – Antiques.
Marché aux Puces de St. Ouen/Clignancourt: Covers seven hectares, has 3,000 traders and up to 180,000 visitors each weekend. The Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen is generally thought to be the biggest flea market in the world.
Les Puces de Montreuil: Less charming than St-Ouen, Montreuil’s flea market is where Parisians look for antiques, mostly because it’s off the beaten tourist track. You can still get a bargain and find the occasional treasure.
Marché aux Puces de Porte de Vanves: Smaller than Saint-Ouen, the market at Vanves is appreciated for its more manageable size. This weekend market is spread out over two avenues.
Photo: Sue Aran
FAQs
"The hallmarks of a quintessential Parisian apartment are decorative applied molding on the walls, herringbone floors, marble fireplace mantel with a gilded mirror above, and usually a statement pendant or chandelier,” says Melissa Sanabria, founder and principal of Sanabria & Co., which specializes in historic home ...
What is Parisian by design interiors by David Jimenez about? ›
The book contains a how-to section sharing Jimenez's tips for decorating in the French style, including chic paint colours and setting an elegant table, along with inspiring entries on where to soak up the best design in Paris.
What is the French style of interior design? ›
French interior design is known for its je ne sais quoi, classic features such as crystal chandeliers, drapery fabrics, parquet flooring, matte paint finishes and floral wallpaper accents, as well as modern features like organic cotton upholstery and vintage furniture.
What is the French country style of interior design? ›
French country style is defined as a mix of rustic and refined decor inspired by homes in the French countryside. It's characterized by antique furnishings, ornate details, weathered finishes, warm neutrals, rustic patterns, and soft colors. The result is timelessly elegant, yet comfortably lived-in.
What colors are Parisian? ›
There is no doubt about it – charcoals, mid-greys, slate blues, russets, taupes and sands dominate your view. These colours are everywhere – on buildings, in paths, on roofs, in decor stores. And I'm convinced that this colour chart not only adds to Paris' charm but also underpins the city's elegance.
What does Parisian style look like? ›
Part of the mastery of French dressing is mixing casual pieces with more formal pieces so you never look overdressed or underdressed. A crisp pair of white sneakers that can be paired with skirts or elevated trousers instead of a fancier heel is the perfect example of this high-low type of styling.
What is avant garde interior? ›
Avant-garde is known as an edgy, artistic style that breaks through traditional style genres. Avant-garde is frequently characterized as innovative, daring and breaks all design rules. In interior design it sculpts a house's design and transforms a home into art.
What is De Stijl interior design? ›
De Stijl is one of the most recognizable styles in all of modern art. Consisting only of horizontal and vertical lines and the colors red, yellow, blue, black, and white, De Stijl was applied not only to easel painting but also to architecture and a broad range of designed objects from furniture to clothing.
What does the designer of the interiors do? ›
Interior designers make interior spaces functional, safe, and beautiful for almost every type of building. Interior designers make indoor spaces functional, safe, and beautiful by determining space requirements and selecting essential and decorative items, such as colors, lighting, and materials.
How do I make my house look French? ›
Use light blues, warm whites or pastel yellows for your walls and combine this with gold accessories and large mirrors. Incorporate wood furniture which is modern yet still fits with the French accent style. Less is more, so choose one piece of artwork or one feature piece in the room such as a decorated fireplace.
Rarely flashy, French interiors often boast a sense of lavishness with hints of brilliance via jeweled accents, ornate filigree detailing, antique chandeliers and wall sconces.
What is a French style bedroom? ›
French style is a mixture of antique furniture, varying but complementary colour schemes, and beautiful and subtle decorative items like chandeliers. It does not try to be in fashion but instead values comfort and taste. The colour scheme can be delicate or bold, but it is always charming, inviting and elegant.
What is Parisian interior style? ›
Key features of Parisian decor include vintage, vintage, and more vintage. Embrace the charm of vintage decor, allowing the natural aging of materials to shine. Incorporate old-world elements that add character, such as vintage furniture, antique decorations, and patina finishes.
What colors look best on French country homes? ›
While neutrals transcend all decorating styles they look great, particularly with a restrained color scheme. Additionally, neutrals can be paired with an accent color. Some popular colors that work really well in French Country decorating are: green, blue, pink, red, and yellow.
How to decorate a bedroom in French country style? ›
Texture & Tradition in French Country Decor
You can achieve the traditional elegance of this style by incorporating small nods to these patterns throughout your space—a soft gingham coverlet on the bed, curated florals in a vase, or toile pillows to add sophisticated texture.
How to make a room look Parisian? ›
A typical Parisian-style apartment would have white walls, floor-to-ceiling wall paneling, old herringbone parquet floor, tall windows, sometimes double windows with iron balcony, moldings, and marble mantels both in the living room and the bedrooms.
What is the difference between French and Parisian fashion? ›
Parisian Style vs French Style
What stands out about Parisians is that they never look like they are trying too hard with their outfits or look like they spent hours getting ready. Parisian style is much more effortless than French style while being a bit more sophisticated.
What is the Parisian style architecture? ›
Haussmann architecture features large, elegant buildings with stone facades and wrought iron details. Consider it the quintessential Parisian-style building.
What is Parisian aesthetic called? ›
01.09.23. Parisian elegance, better known as "chic à la parisienne", has long been hailed as the quintessence of refinement and effortless glamour.
