Carin Olsson
When we decided to move to Paris, one of the things I was most excited about was decorating my own Parisian apartment. It would be classic Haussmannian with herringbone floors, marble mantels, high ceilings and moldings – the works.
Haven in Paris
Scrolled iron balconies and a rooftop view were also on the wanted list. After a few weeks of scouring (and drooling over) listings from afar, I fell hard for an appartement familial in the 7ème. We negotiated with the rental agent and sealed the deal even before laying eyes on our future home.
Haven in Paris
It was better than I’d imagined: a light-filled double salon and a killer view of the Dome des Invalides, even a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in all its iconic beauty. But the fun was just beginning. It was now time to decorate.
Haven in Paris
We’d brought some furniture from the US (beds, IKEA dressers, a dining table) but many of the fun pieces remained to be found: couch, chairs, lighting, rugs, maybe some art. And so the hunt was on. After three years, plenty of bargain-and-treasure-hunting (and lots of rearranging), our place feels like home. Here are some tips and favorite spots discovered along my decorating journey à la Parisienne.
Hotels Paris Rive Gauche
Haven in Paris
Something old, something new. I’m a diehard fan of Paris flea markets and brocantes. For a California girl raised on sitcoms and takeout, the idea that you could buy 19th century candlesticks for the price of lunch is still unimaginably wonderful. Whether you’re outfitting a whole apartment or looking for a decorative souvenir, a weekend visit to les puces at Porte de Vanves or Saint-Ouen (Clignancourt) is a must.
Haven in Paris
Find Clignancourt’s best mid-century design at Marché Serpette and Paul Bert, more classic treasures like chandeliers dripping with crystal and Louis dining chairs at Marché Dauphine and Biron. Know what you’re looking for and what you’re prepared to spend – the sprawling marché can quickly overwhelm. And don’t forget to bargain. It’s expected.
Haven in Paris
Artful chaos. Like those gorgeously tousled chignons and devil-may-care ensembles, the chicest Parisian interiors are studies in serious effort that only look effortless. They almost always feature an intriguing mix of vintage and contemporary, shabby and pristine. (Think grand-mère’s fruitwood buffet and lovingly worn Persian rugs alongside a sofa from Habitat or AMPM.)
Haven in Paris
Accessories should be ruthlessly edited and artfully displayed although never too perfect or precious. Where American interiors are often defined by plumped matching pillows and symmetrical seating arrangements, the French prefer a more organic, bohemian eclecticism – layered, curated, distinctly undecorated.
Haven in Paris
Carin Olsson
It’s all in the mix. For that truly Parisian look, think opposites. Classic Haussmannian will look best with clean lined furnishings, abstract art and industrial or vintage lighting; a Marais hideaway with exposed beams and worn floors can do with a Louis setee and linen slipcovers.
Haven in Paris
Each room should feature pieces from different eras for a total look that feels collected over time, not culled from a catalog or single furniture showroom. You wouldn’t wear a total look from one designer, now would you? Neither should your living room.
Haven in Paris
Iconic style. Sir Terrence Conran may be a Brit, but his designs and retail spaces (The Conran Shop and Habitat) have come to define the modern Parisian aesthetic.
Hotels Paris Rive Gauche
Think woven rugs and washed linens, generous sofas and farm tables paired with iconic lighting and mid-century-inspired seating. Ditto the uber-hip Marais concept store, Merci. It’s the place I like to go for ideas (and then troll the flea markets or LeBonCoin – France’s answer to craigslist – to affordably recreate the look.)
Haven in Paris
If Phillipe Starck and Terence Conran are global icons, the new Parisian interior is epitomized by deco-darling Sarah Lavoine whose two Paris boutiques are rife with inspiration. Low-slung linen sofas, vintage lighting and graphic black and white (with key pops of color) define her urban-chic aesthetic.
Haven in Paris
So whether you prefer Scandinavian mid-century, French Art Nouveau or classic old world Parisian, remember: French style is all in the details. Have fun and mix it up. As French design icon Philippe Starck says, “Freedom is the only style.”
Haven in Paris
Related links:
- Planning a last minute trip to Paris? We’re offering some amazing last minute discounts for February and March in our gorgeous Paris apartments
- Marissa Cox, behind the beautiful blog Rue Rodier, paid a visit to Habitat’s new vintage space: Habitat 1964 – a furniture lovers’ dream
- Visit VosgesParis for amazing interior decoration and inspiration
- Looking for that perfect Parisian apartment but need some advice on the way? Check out Kelly Page’s posts for the HiP Paris blog on how to navigate the real estate scene here in the French capital, part I and part II
Written by Paige Frost for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Wow! Wow wow wow ten thousand times! How come I just now found your blog! I love Paris so much, however for now I can only dream of living there. Your blog has kept the dream alive. I’m sure that soon enough I will make my dream come true. Thank you.:) Mérci.
Parisians always had and always will have the perfect and very specific sense of style. But for those who doesn’t have french genes, there are many examples, which can be followed to create a real parisian atmosphere. These interiors with all decoration items are jsut a perfect combination of elegancy, funcionality and comfort.
I had a home for many years in the Luberon region of France, where I became enamored of the light, the food and, of course, the gardens. I now live in Florida, and when renovating, I wanted to bring a bit of Provence into my home and garden. Imagine my joy when I walked into Authentic Provence in West Palm Beach (also online at http://authenticprovence.com). The owners have sourced the most incredible French and Italian garden antiques and products: statues, fountains, planters (note especially the classic Caisse de Versailles, and Anduze pottery), terra cotta shields, stone animals, copper pots, garden spouts, and on and on. They have created an environment that took me right back to many afternoons spent in the beautiful homes and gardens of Provence. They are also very helpful in giving advice and even sourcing special items, and can arrange shipping anywhere in the USA. I highly recommend this business!
So… which of the pictures are of your place? I’m disappointed tht you didn’t share your rooms and point out everything you put together in them. Most of the pictures you included look like they’re from magazines.
Diane, these are many different Paris apartments, decorated by Parisians!! 🙂 Truly!
I recommend (highly) the following B&B in the Loire area:
http://www.la-pinsonniere.fr
Let them know Erica and Alain from Haven in Paris sent you.
Lovely style. If you happen to know of rentals in this area or the Loire valley in July, Please share.
What a divine tour of Paris it’s gorgeous bohemian layered style ! I loved it !!
Thank you for sharing !! The photos are gorgeous.
Oh la la.
Bisous,
Lynne xx
Ahhh i love this!
Hi Kiki – Sounds like you have had an amazing journey with your own French property. I’m a compulsive “re-decorator” so now that our place is “done,” it’s time to start mixing it up again. Thanks for commenting!
Paige; this is a wonderful collection of beautiful Parisian ‘sights’….
I know what you mean; when we bought our 1920 Meulière (house built from local stones) we had all the things above and a bit more – as well as workmen for the next three years…. I also could use EVERYTHING we had from our Victorian house we owned in England (except 5 Marcel Breuer chairs we bought wayyyyyy tooooo expensive in Bristol & who then became obsolete when we got a large Laura Ashley dining table & 6 chairs) AND all our stuff from our little house in Switzerland…. Funny too that I had kept a ‘dream photo’ of a veranda when I lived in Switzerland BEFORE being in England and now my French veranda looks just like that picture…. 🙂
You took me on a super pleasure tour with this article – Thank You and
gros bisous de ma belle maison (Ile-de-France)
Kiki
(if interested, you can find some pictures – very randomly – in the public folder of my Flickr account under:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vol-au-vent/sets/72157630745069238/ – enjoy!)