Step Inside a Historic Paris Apartment That Brims With Charming Details and Antique Pieces

Gay Gassmann
·5 min read
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It all started with a piano and a chance encounter in Paris. “The apartment has been in the family since the late 1970s,” the Beirut-born inhabitant explains of her abode, which is located not far from the Arc de Triomphe. “The previous owner had this piano and said, ‘If you want the apartment, you have to take the piano,’ since he didn’t want to move it out. It then became the starting point for everything [that followed].”

A funny anecdote, yes, but one of two serendipitous origin stories that are key to understanding how the appartement came to exist in its current form. When asked how he and his client first connected, French architect Benoit Dupuis says with a smile: “It was about 10 years ago, and it all happened in a boutique I designed for Christian Louboutin in Paris. One of the customers asked the saleswoman who designed the store, and if she could meet me. I happened to be [right] there!” At the time, Dupuis’s future client said she might have a potential project for him. A few years later they reconnected and started working on the apartment overhaul.

Right off the main entrance is the light-filled breakfast room, where family antiques mingle with Edmond Petit seats. On the back wall hangs a work by Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum and on the ceiling is You Pay by the artist collective known as Claire Fontaine. Dupuis designed the inner shutters.

“[It’s] in a Haussmann-style building,” Dupuis explains of the residence. “The place was a bit dark, but bourgeois and good taste. The idea was to keep the historic elements, like the moldings, and to think about the art collection.” The client—who now counts Dupuis as a personal friend—adds, “We kept the integrity of the original space. [That’s] why I think it’s so charming.”

Importantly, the duo made sure to preserve the apartment’s strong sense of personal details. It’s full of family mementos (the antique pieces originally belonged to the client’s aunt) and fun designs from the 1970s and 1980s. Many of those objects trace back to when the apartment was originally done by Parisian decorator Jean-Dominique Bonhotal.

Step Inside a Historic Paris Apartment That Brims With Charming Details and Antique Pieces

The apartment entrance is treated like a gallery with art hanging on all the walls. On the right hangs a painting by American artist Matt Sheridan Smith. On the back wall, which doubles as a sliding door, is Cake Box, a 2015 work by British artist Sylvan Lionni Totem. Sitting on a family console is a glass sculpture by Paris-born artist Flavie Audi. Above, a work by Welsh artist Cerith Wyn Evans can be seen. The wool carpet is from Codimat.
Directly to the left of the entrance is the main salon. The room is filled with an eclectic combination of vintage pieces, family heirlooms, and contemporary art. A coffee table by Danish designer Poul Kjaerholm, rosewood chairs by Norweigian designer Hans Brattrud, and a sculptural low armchair by Joe Colombo can all be seen. The series of sofas were based on an existing model and redesigned by architect Benoit Dupuis, who had them covered in a silk velvet from Edmond Petit. The artworks hanging are from left to right by Jurgen Drescher, Jim Lambie, Louise Lawler, and Latifa Echakhch. The piano came with the apartment. The floral arrangements were designed by Arturo Arita.
Another view of the main salon. The leather seating is by Danish designer Poul Kjaerholm. A work by the artist collective Reena Spaulings hangs nearby.
Another view of the main salon. The leather seating is by Danish designer Poul Kjaerholm. A work by the artist collective Reena Spaulings hangs nearby.
Right off the main entrance is the light-filled breakfast room, where family antiques mingle with Edmond Petit seats. On the back wall hangs a work by Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum and on the ceiling is You Pay by the artist collective known as Claire Fontaine. Dupuis designed the inner shutters.
Right off the main entrance is the light-filled breakfast room, where family antiques mingle with Edmond Petit seats. On the back wall hangs a work by Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum and on the ceiling is You Pay by the artist collective known as Claire Fontaine. Dupuis designed the inner shutters.
A long bench by Italian architect Osvaldo Borsani for Techno, which was designed for Malpensa Airport in Milan, helps anchor the dining room. The table is a George Nelson for Herman Miller piece. On the wall is a large work by artist Walead Beshty and Speech Bubble by German artist Jurgen Drescher.
Vintage Martinelli Luce wall lights and unbrushed stainless-steel countertop make the kitchen sparkle. A “steak” by Swiss artist Nicolas Party sits on the counter.
All of the bedrooms are lined up one after the other, with windows overlooking the street. Edmond Petit fabric and Codimat carpeting were once again used. On the bed is a Suzani spread while the rosewood chair was designed by Hans Brattrud. Dupuis created the closets and storage areas.
All of the bedrooms are lined up one after the other, with windows overlooking the street. Edmond Petit fabric and Codimat carpeting were once again used. On the bed is a Suzani spread while the rosewood chair was designed by Hans Brattrud. Dupuis created the closets and storage areas.
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“What we did was mix it all up with things I really cared about,” the client elaborates, noting that they were careful to keep the soul of the home intact while freshening it a bit. “We threw in some midcentury pieces and Benoit designed the built-in closets. They don’t have feet so they look like they are floating—I wanted everything to be light and almost transparent.”

Dupuis confirms that the design brief he received was to brighten the space while keeping its circulation flowing. The four bedrooms are lined up in a manner not dissimilar from that of a hotel. Everything seems to disappear into the walls. Ultimately, the overall feeling is one of a cool, understated French modernism.

Amidst that serene canvas, contemporary artworks easily pop. Many of the pieces—which were purchased throughout Europe—had long been in storage. “When we opened up the crates, the most magical thing happened,” the client recalls. “Everything was like it had been bought specifically for the apartment. It was a fantastic feeling. We placed every single piece!” Yet another example of French serendipity.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest