Set in the heart of Paris’s 16th arrondissement, this apartment has been transformed into a tranquil family residence that celebrates the city’s elegance and enduring beauty.
The design draws inspiration from both the surrounding Parisian architecture and the sinuous visual language of the Art Nouveau movement that is so deeply associated with the city’s identity. The Katharine Pooley team reinterpreted the period’s signature organic forms through a contemporary lens, introducing curved silhouettes, tactile materials and meticulously crafted details that evoke the spirit of the era while still creating a space that feels sophisticated and fresh. The brief centred around creating a calm and refined family home, built steadily through subtle layering and punctuated by soft neutral tones. A gentle sense of flow has been nurtured through sympathetic architectural decisions that saw a number of original features retained such as the parquet flooring and traditional ornate panelling.
The five-bedroom residence opens up from the generous entrance hall with two wings extending from this central axis: one dedicated to entertaining and one for more private and intimate spaces. A bespoke console featuring a striking starburst design is paired with artwork by Emily Swift-Jones. Mirrored panelling opens up the room and bespoke lighting crafted from chunky glass pieces with an antique brass finish sits overhead.
The drawing room boasts a relaxed residential atmosphere with the palette of soft blues running throughout the soft finishes in the room including the bespoke Colbourns rug underfoot, the trim on the swivel armchairs and within the subtle wallpaper we installed within the joinery. The formal sofa is upholstered in Chase Erwin fabric with Zimmer & Rhode trim.
The dining room continues the apartment’s celebration of craftsmanship and bespoke detail with the bespoke timber dining table featuring tactile brass inlays. A second Preciosa chandelier takes centre stage, replicating the installation in the drawing room, and features glass droplets in varying shades of blue with delicate gold flecks. The entire room is framed by bespoke mirrored panelling and hand-embroidered raindrop silk wallpaper by Fromental. A beautiful Marie Daage hand-painted table setting completes the scene.
The master bedroom is enveloped in Fromental hand-painted silk wallpaper with the joinery finished in the same spirit as the entertaining spaces: with mirrored detail and soft textures across the panelling. Custom-designed bedside tables and headboard ensure absolute peace, with all amenities, tech and cords being hidden from view.
The remaining bedrooms have each been designed with its own distinct personality while maintaining the overarching sense of calm throughout the residence. The first bedroom introduces a soft palette of blush pinks and champagne tones. Silk wallpaper is inset within the panelling, while bespoke furnishings – including the headboard, bed base and bedside tables – combine elegance with practical storage. The second bedroom explores a cooler palette of blues and greys. Linen wall coverings and silk wallpaper create an organic backdrop, while bespoke headboards, adaptable twin beds and custom bedside tables veneered in timber with soft faux suede tops provide both beauty and functionality. The third bedroom embraces warmer tones of soft yellow, taupe and gold, with bespoke gold cracked glass pendants inspired by flower petals adding a delicate sculptural element.
Delicate curves, textured finishes and carefully balanced proportions define these interiors with the project ultimately stemming from a dialogue between Parisian heritage and modern living; honouring the city’s artistic legacy while shaping a home designed for everyday family life. The residence reflects the Studios approach to creating homes that are intimately connected to their architectural and cultural surroundings while remaining personal and effortlessly elegant. Through careful consideration, the apartment has become a serene family home that celebrates the elegance of Paris and the enduring beauty of Art Nouveau influence.
