An interplay of materials, including teak wood, terracotta floor tiles, and a recycled stone benchtop creates a series of tactile contrasts throughout the kitchen.
“Haussmanian” heritage meets contemporary refinement in this Parisian apartment project by interior designer Camille Lequatre. Located in the 8th arrondissement facing Parc Monceau, Courcelles Apartment reimagines the visual and stylistic hallmarks of classical French architecture through inventive new proportions, decorative details, and a selection of tactile materials that evoke a sense of comfort and sophistication.
Described as an “empty box” that was stripped of its soul following a renovation project by its previous owners, the apartment today reflects Lequatre’s vision to achieve a balance between architectural heritage and domestic functionality. Conscious of avoiding the historical French design cliches that often feature in revived Parisian residences of this kind, Lequatre’s approach to restoring this 220 square-metre apartment was based on subtly reinterpreting its existing classical elements.
Door frames are decorated with mosaic friezes, custom woodwork was modernised with asymmetrical angles, and the apartment’s mantelpiece has been reinterpreted by ceramic artist Rémi Bracquemond. “It’s about evoking classical beauty in a fresh and personal way,” she says.
An interplay of materials including warm wood, ceramic, lacquer, terracotta, and natural fibres creates a series of visual and tactile contrasts throughout the residence. This focus on materiality enhances the narrative of “understated theatricality” that flows from the kitchen to the living and dining room, and into the master bedroom, creating an atmosphere that feels light and open, yet intimate at the same time.
A carefully selected blend of contemporary and vintage furniture and design objects, such as a bespoke lacquered sideboard, vintage Forumi chairs by Baumann (1960), and wall lamps by François Bazin emphasise the residence’s timeless “soul.”
A combination of contemporary and bespoke furniture pieces, vintage decor, and other carefully sourced design gems sets the tone for the residence’s interior scheme. Among these pieces is a striking green lacquered sideboard, an instant focal point in the dining room, and vintage rattan Eero Aarnio armchairs. These are complemented by other decorative objects that add poetic touches throughout the apartment’s spaces, like a 70s vintage French carved stool in the living room, a recycled stone island benchtop by Italiana Cosmolite in the kitchen, and a vintage 50s table lamp by French designer Georges Pelletier in the master bedroom.
“I wanted to create a dialogue between different periods, integrating custom-designed furniture with clean lines, iconic 20th-century design pieces, as well as vintage and family items. This mix gives the apartment its soul—a reflection of both the place’s history and that of its owners,” Lequatre shares.
The Courcelles Apartment not only echoes a sense of timeless French design heritage but also exudes a refined modern narrative reflecting Lequatre’s eye for materiality, balance, and curating decor with character.
Decorated door frames, custom woodwork, and a revived mantelpiece reflect Lequatre’s approach to reimagining classical beauty through a refreshing contemporary lens.
The apartment’s “understated theatricality” is observed in an artful curation of finishes and furnishings like honey-toned raffia feature wall coverings, velvet cushions by Maison de Vacances, and vintage wooden ‘cubist’ bedside tables from the 1960s.
