Mary Kovalchuk
Interior design, like most other design aspects, has had a long history of transformation- from early accounts of cave dwellings to sleek Scandinavian style. The role of interior design is essential to fill the space between the room and those within it to evoke the desired emotions. Colours, fabrics, textiles, decoration and furnishings each have a role to play in enhancing our lives.
Modern design has compelled us to believe in the importance of coordination, compatibility and symmetrical synergy. For many, when asked to envisage the perfect interior of a room we might think of lavish opulence or overstated bombastic furnishings, perfectly abiding colour schemes and structured organisation.
Parisian interior design refutes these aspects of design and instead adheres to its own principles of home style.
Why Parisian Design sets new rules and a chic new standard
The French are renown for being beyond effortlessly chic, oozing with the understated-elegance which we all desire. The internet has caught onto our fascination and aspirations of the French style and has provided us with a million and one ‘how to dress like a French girl’ guides. I’m here to tie the strings between the meaning of traditional interior design and what the French have come along and done to it. Ultimately, in this journey of Style-Frenchification, the golden rule is to forget everything you’ve ever been told about interior design.
The chic and elegance Parisians seem to naturally possess like some given birthright is reflected in their style. The big Parisian picture is anti-decor. Designing against the grain in a seamless and natural way is très French.
French architecture and interior design pay special attention to the nations long history. From Francis 1, 12th-century architect Gilles le Breton, to Louis XIII – the age of the French Renaissance followed by two centuries of evolution and change- design today is about embracing the past and incorporating it into the present. Parisian interior design withstands the test of time with elegance and poise.
No – that picture frame doesn’t have to match the height of the doorframe and no – that historical period painting shouldn’t be contained in a room of dedicated to the 16th century. To mix old with new is distinct and eclectic à la Phillipe Stark, France’s most distinguished interior designer. Embrace awkward juxtapositions. Nothing should be too arranged, too ensembled and too stable.
When we think of French design, more often than not we envision chic all-white interiors with minimal bright colours. However, this white-wash often acts as a canvas on which to build pure elegance. A splash of colour is what can bridge the gap between the old and the new. To unify a mix of styles, ages and design pieces in a room, a few bold and complementary colours can draw the room together and connect the styles. This blend of colours, time period and style can be found in most Parisian homes.
The Parisian Lifestyle
Often regarded as a cultural, fashion and culinary hub of the world- up there with London, New York, Madrid and Prague – the Parisian lifestyle mirrors its design. The effortless chic interior design on the surface is only attainable because its constructed to accommodate the way the room functions. Effortlessness comes with comfort, which is why many rooms will contain nooks and cosy corners to lounge in. To make daily life a breeze, creative storage places for all of your mementoes are a must.
Perfect Parisian decor comes about when space is well thought-out in terms of its use. Furniture, fabrics, textiles and aesthetics should primarily provide function. Declutter and make rid of nonfunctional tat. It’s best to have fewer elements in a room – consider stylish vintage pieces or unique handcrafted objects.
Interior design has changed through the ages and everyone bar Parisians are breaking their backs trying to keep up. Interior design in Paris has no time to fix something that works so wonderfully well. Live by the old French saying: “Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose”- the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Trends come and go and often return only to disappear again. But the fundamentals of life are dependable and deeply embedded in our history. Therefore, trends should only ever accommodate these everlasting fundamentals – and Paris seems to have gotten the hang of this.
