Parisian Interiors

Bursting with color and dramatic focal points, these exceptional interiors offer exclusive access into the homes of Paris’s finest art and antiques aficionados. The magic of Paris is distinctly captured in its interiors: windows are tall, and rooms have high ceilings with grand architectural details; but the real charm comes in the thoughtfully selected elements that bring those spaces to life. Paris is rife with antique collectors, art historians, architects, and interior designers who dedicate their lives to the contemplation of each element that goes into the ideal interior. Barbara and René Stoeltie invite us inside the private oases of twenty of the city’s celebrated interiors gurus, capturing in vivid photographs these havens of perfection, brimming with inspiration for the home. While each interior is distinctly unique, they all draw from a rich historical tradition of decorative arts combined with an instinctive desire to reinvent itself, mixing the best elements from different epochs with contemporary art, bold colors, or surprising pattern combinations. A foreword from Jacques Garcia, with his gracious nod to the great Madeleine Castaing, opens this handsome volume.

Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery, a specialist in furniture and antiques at Christies and Honelon, invites her readers to enter the elegantly luxurious interiors of some of France's most exclusive abodes. From the classic taste of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries to the creativity of the nineteenth century, she traces the path to the finesse of the twentieth century, which combines tradition and modernity. The interiors portrayed in these nine exquisitely illustrated chapters pay tribute to the refinement of French taste, a savoir-faire that has been continually renewed. Classic hôtels particuliers in the heart of Paris and romantic châteaux, as well as a surprising isba--a traditional rural log house in the Russian style--are but a few of the examples of the kinds of interiors that will inspire readers as they marvel over the art of French designers, including Madeleine Castaing, Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Jacques Grange, François Joseph Graff, and Pierre Bergé. Unlike most books on French style on the market, this book is not only a testimony to timeless French elegance, it is an invitation to discover a synthesis of contemporary and classic décor, in some of France's most exclusive residences, firsthand.

Paris, the city of beauty and romance, has fueled the imagination of great writers, poets, painters, and lovers of life throughout the ages. But beyond Paris' outward charm and elegance lie hidden treasures around every beguiling corner. ELLE DECO's Parisian Interiors finally reveals the mystery, taking you on an intimate tour of the city to explore each nuance, from the Left Bank to the Right. Abounding with information and anecdotes that only an insider could know, we show you everything from the apartments of glamorous celebrities to the most secluded Parisian dwellings, and personally guide you through cloistered gardens, classic brasseries, architectural masterpieces, historical haunts of writers and artists, and more.

The next generation of Parisian interior designers curated by the editors of French Architectural Digest. From Vincent Darré and Joseph Dirand to India Mahdavi, a new wave of design talent has emerged in Paris. Combining nonchalant elegance with the French capital’s perennial chic flair, their interiors reflect a refreshingly innovative take on home decor while inspiring myriad designers across the globe. Renowned for publishing the very best of interior design, the editors of French Architectural Digest have thoughtfully curated a collection of interiors by twelve of the new guard’s top names. The New Chic showcases diverse residential interiors projects spanning the past five years. Inviting, charming, and irresistibly cool, this beautifully illustrated book celebrates the voices of modern Parisian interiors and is a must for every library of design.

From Vincent Darré, a French dandy and eccentric decorator, this volume offers a fanciful look into his unique universe of artful interiors. Known for his dynamic personality and extravagant style, Vincent Darré--the enfant terrible of Paris's design world--presents a debut monograph brimming with his hallmark flamboyant whimsy, unrivaled imagination, and Gallic flair. As a fixture of the city's nightlife scene and member of its exclusive artistic circles, Darré is arguably one of its most creative residents (prior to launching his decorating career, he held posts at top fashion houses)--which comes through in his instantly recognizable interiors: think Surrealist furniture, dizzying patterns, and spirited color combinations. Boasting over 200 vibrantly colored photographs, this exquisite tome takes readers on a journey into Darré's world of conversation-starting spaces. From his signature furnishings, such as the Grenouille nightstand, and maximalist use of prints (cue the Little Prince Bedroom), to his expert use of vivid hues, he offers an intimate glimpse into the singular, utterly enthralling universe of one of the design world's most eccentric, quirky, and celebrated members.

A peek behind closed doors in the City of Light. Go on a photographic tour of a side of Paris few have ever seen, created from the vast archive of glorious imagery belonging to the French interiors magazine Côté Paris. Hidden Paris reveals the capital city’s unique architecture and fabulous interiors in a range of styles, from classic French to retro, contemporary, bohemian, industrial and more. How to make a Paris rental apartment one’s own? Go with the author behind closed gates, through the courtyards, and into people’s stylish homes and chic apartments to learn the answers. Here are myriad examples of Parisians embracing what they have while demonstrating clever and effective ways of coping with the existing structures and architecture that they cannot change, to make beautiful spaces of their own. Carolyn Clifton-Mogg is a journalist who specializes in interior design, antiques and gardens. She has authored The Curtain Book: A Sourcebook, The White Home, Set with Style, China and Glass, French Country Living, Decorating with Antiques, Provencal Escapes: Inspiring Homes in Provence and the Cote D'Azur, and A Passion for Collecting. She also writes regularly for a number of magazines and newspapers. She lives in London.

"The first step is to understand how the French see -- blending rich tradition with whimsy to achieve interiors that are as comfortable as they are stunning. Within these pages, stylist Erin Swift offers a look at the exquisite homes of renowned designers, architects and artists, simplifying the elements that define each room, such as colour, art and furnishings, objects and accents, structure and texture. Sharing the homeowner's visions, she also highlights hundreds of fascinating and unconventional decorating details from which you can draw inspiration. Galleries featuring dozens of choices for moulding, stone and tile flooring, frames, paint colours, doorknobs and textiles offer even more ways to add a French touch."--Publisher description.