The entryway presents a warm welcome with terracotta-red walls. The flooring comprises a geometric gridwork of oak, stone and travertine, recalling the intricacy and craftsmanship of aristocratic abodes in the city. A large mirror from Kiko Lopez amplifies the vastness of the space, while a row of spotlights enhance its modern look. The doors to the connecting common rooms have been removed to improve spatial flow.

The open-plan living and dining room is the only space that has retained the apartment’s original architectural elements. These include the original cornices and Hungarian wood parquet flooring. “We wanted to bring a neoclassical feel to this space, so we created a vaulted ceiling to match the existing cornice,” says Juan. The living area is flanked by a pair of marble fireplaces from the 19th century. The walls here are painted in a grey marmorino stucco finish to recall the majesty of Italian renaissance-era palaces.

Juan’s namesake furniture line, Fabrice Juan Éditions, taps into his carpentry background and gives his interior design clients the option to have unique pieces and accessories in their abode; it’s the case for this home, too. The bespoke pieces include furnishings in the living room, such as the Pac Man coffee table, Angel rug, Glove sofa and Odyssée armchairs, all of which are colour-matched to feature complementary earthy tones.

Most of the soft furnishings designed by Juan are dressed in upholstery fabrics from French textile house Misia. These are accompanied by loose pieces such as the Zephyr floor lamp by American design maven Kelly Wearstler and sculptures by French artist Julie Bergeron.

Designed to be the heart of the home, the kitchen is done in a way that is elegant, understated and convivial. A central island with a red travertine top is finished in brushed stainless steel; its warm shade is referenced on the brick-red lacquered shelves that are lined with an eclectic mix of objects. A combination of light oak cabinetry and light marble flooring accompanies the pleasing tableau, while the rounded form of the Gargia bench seating and the Massimo oval dining table stand in contrast to the angular lines on the joinery.

Past the communal areas, the other rooms take on the deeper and richer hues. The four bedrooms are located on both sides of the entrance hall, with each fully carpeted room designed to have its own identity and colour scheme. The walls in bedrooms also feature bands of grosgrain ribbon in different configurations, appearing like a little accessory or sartorial detail that you might find on the lapels of a tuxedo or on a gown.

Completed in 10 months, the owners adore the look of their apartment and enjoy using the culinary zone, which has become the centre of their abode. “It’s important that they feel at home from the very first moment they look at it,” says Juan. “All put together, it forms a joyous ensemble; an expression of that French love for good food and good living.” Indeed, that has come true in this cosy sanctuary, which epitomises feelings of comfort, elegance and calm.

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