Cover The bright apartment was part of a former 18th-century Hôtel Particulier
The bright apartment was part of a former 18th-century Hôtel Particulier
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Interior designer Lichelle Silvestry transforms a former 18th-century Hôtel Particulier in the cultural Saint-Germain-des-Prés filled with antique treasures and contemporary comforts
If the walls of the buildings that line Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th arrondissement of Paris could talk, they would speak of the great minds–both creative and philosophical–that have graced the vibrant neighbourhood over the centuries.
Located across the Seine from the Louvre, Saint-Germain-des-Prés houses the École des Beaux-Arts with a 350-year spanning history in training many great European artists and architects.
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Moreover, the quarter has welcomed countless luminaries throughout its storied past.
Celebrated authors like Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde, Existentialist philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, and jazz musicians including Sydney Bechet all traversed these cobblestone streets. They frequented iconic establishments like Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, along with the antique shops and bookstores that remain vibrant fixtures today.
Above The former 18th-century Hôtel Particulier
Above Founder and interior designer Lichelle Silvestry
The former 18th-century Hôtel Particulier
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Nestled within the thick of it all is a former 18th-century Hôtel Particulier, a grand French-style mansion that once served as a private residence for aristocrats. Interior designer Lichelle Silvestry recalls that one of its apartments–“among the most splendid”–now belongs to an American family of four from the West Coast who have permanently relocated to Paris.
Encompassing 1,711 sq ft, the residence features a spacious entrance corridor that opens into the living room and the kitchen beneath soaring 12-foot ceilings. Through ornate architraves and French doors lie three bedrooms–the primary suite, guest bedroom, and children's room–each with its own ensuite bathroom.
See also: Home tour: An 18th-century Hôtel Particulier apartment in Paris gets a contemporary makeover
Above The bright and cheerful apartment with pops of vibrancy and drama
The bright and cheerful apartment with pops of vibrancy and drama
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Above The 18th-century carved gilded mirror atop the fireplace
Above The Venetian snake-design table and marble apple
The 18th-century carved gilded mirror atop the fireplace
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Although the property had undergone previous renovations, and Silvestry’s design team was brought in to decorate the modernised space, they faced an extraordinarily tight timeline due to restrictions implemented in anticipation of the Olympic Games held in July of the previous year.
“Given the scale of the project, even minor delays could cause a ripple effect, so keeping everything on track required precise scheduling and constant communication,” divulges Silvestry, who was hired in April before receiving the keys in June on the day the purchase was finalised.
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Above The 18th-century Florentine painting from Yveline Antiques in the dining area
The 18th-century Florentine painting from Yveline Antiques in the dining area
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Above The antique chandelier’s delicate design plays off the glamorous architectural features
Above First edition Wishbone chairs by Carl Hansen provides a contemporary respite
The antique chandelier’s delicate design plays off the glamorous architectural features
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She adds: “While working within the constraints of available stock items, and facing delivery delays due to restricted access to the area caused by preparations for the Olympic Games, we took a proactive approach by maintaining flexibility in our design selections, ensuring that every design decision stayed true to our vision.”
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Despite these challenges, Silvestry completed the project in just three weeks, delivering a bright and cheerful apartment with dramatic elements that exceeded the clients’ expectations.
“The space is beautiful, and I love a good challenge,” she reflects.
Above The blue-toned kitchen area with wooden herringbone-patterned flooring and white cabinetry
The blue-toned kitchen area with wooden herringbone-patterned flooring and white cabinetry
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Above Family-friendly surfaces with enhanced charm overtime while allowing carefree enjoyment
Above Henry Walter Klein’s midcentury teak chairs with reupholstered in bright blue fabric by Pierre Frey
Family-friendly surfaces with enhanced charm overtime while allowing carefree enjoyment
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Based in Paris, the interior designer enjoys access to exquisite antique pieces from the Marché aux Puces and other specialty markets throughout the city. A serendipitous discovery of a stunning gold and green mirror and chandelier from Lila K Antiques inspired the apartment’s design direction.
“The green was already within the apartment palette and the chandelier’s delicate design was as glamorous as the architectural features,” Silvestry explains.
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Above One of the bathrooms with fixtures reminiscent of the building’s illustrious past
Above Another bathroom is fitted with a more contemporary vanity and colour
One of the bathrooms with fixtures reminiscent of the building’s illustrious past
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In the freshly repainted living room, the 18th-century carved gilded mirror now crowns the fireplace. Creating visual harmony, an 18th-century Florentine painting from Yveline Antiques depicting Adam receiving the forbidden fruit adorns the main wall.
“To add a sense of intrigue and humour, the painting was complemented with a pair of stunning Venetian snake-design tables and an 18th-century marble apple,” she reveals.
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Above Refreshing hues of blue in the guest room with arched doorways
Refreshing hues of blue in the guest room with arched doorways
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Furthermore, for the dining area, Silvestry also managed to find first edition Wishbone chairs by Carl Hansen alongside a complementary 1960s Scandinavian-style table crafted in France.
Meanwhile, Henry Walter Klein’s midcentury teak chairs, reupholstered in Pierre Frey fabric, anchor the breakfast nook in the kitchen with its wooden herringbone flooring, lending character and authenticity to the classic design.
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“We also reupholstered some swivel chairs with Dedar fabric–both outdoor fabrics for long-lasting, heavy-duty use,” Silvestry notes. “Considering their young children, we selected surfaces that develop a beautiful patina over time, enhancing the charm while allowing carefree enjoyment.”
Above The primary suite through the ornate architrave and French doors
Above The children’s room adheres to the overall green colour palette
The primary suite through the ornate architrave and French doors
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“My favourite aspect was having the opportunity to enhance the beautiful volumes and extraordinary Parisian space of the living room and kitchen,” the interior designer concludes.
“The lofty ceilings and intricate architectural details provided the perfect foundation for restoring some of the home's original grandeur through a refined yet unexpected interplay of textures–making this project one of my favourites.”
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Credits
Photography: Benoît Linero
Celeste Goh is a senior writer covering architecture and design. Based in Malaysia, she reports on emerging architectural and home design trends, as well as insights by local and international architects and interior designers.
Previously, she covered men’s lifestyle, fashion, music and entertainment.
