Today I'm sharing an exquisite project by Parisian designer Guillaume Alan. Located in a magnificent early 19th century haussmannian edifice near the Trocadero, with views of the Seine and Eiffel Tower, the apartment was designed for a French couple who had been long time fans of Guillaume's work. Travelling extensively and staying at beautiful places around the world, their wish was for something amazing, yet unexpected, that would live up to the hotels and villas they visited. A liveable place where they could entertain, it also needed to reflect a calm and serene atmosphere. What followed was a complete redesign where in addition to carrying out the architectural and interior design, Guillaume Alan also designed the furniture pieces especially for the spaces. With a focus around light, a tonal 'craie' (chalk) palette was purposely applied throughout, allowing for more depth, texture and warmth to be added to each room without the need to commit to a colour or unnecessary elements.
The palette weaves through the home with bespoke painted walls, light grey brushed oak flooring with natural marble lines, brushed ash wood elements, and textiles in natural linen, leather, silk and wool. The living room brilliantly showcases Guillaume Alan's pure and flawless approach to defining a space. Vaults have been drawn to create a magnificent and unusual height ceiling, while the large window was inspired by an old door in Oxford, England. The three metre long fireplace has been carved inside a huge piece of natural Carrara marble and gives the feeling of floating in the air.
In the dining room, strong lines and impeccable proportions are softened by curved lines of the furniture and smooth textural palette. The entrance hall, inspired by The Orangery in Versailles was created through a series of high ceiling stone arches with recessed mirrors. The original mosaic floor has been retained, showcasing beautiful grey, bronze and old gold tones.
Chosen for its poetic grain, Carrara marble is carried throughout the home including the kitchen and bathrooms, providing a beautiful sense of cohesion.
In the master bedroom, the marble is perfectly offset by the softness of handcrafted ash wood and textured doors, soft paint colours, and linen curtains. The bedside light designed by Guillaume Alan is made of brass and a silk lampshade and sits on a floating marble and ash wood bedside shelf.
Pure and composed, the interior is further enhanced through understated, bespoke furniture pieces that have been thoughtfully designed to fit seamlessly within the spaces. "It's always a quest for perfection and excellence based on tradition and craftsmanship with creativity, sensitivity and poetry."
Flawless yet unpretentious, this stunning apartment shows restraint in its design, and opulence in spirit.
Background
Growing up in the world of architecture and interior design, Guillaume Alan took the plunge early, opening his first design studio in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris, in 2002. A space which he designed with pure lines, concrete floor and wood panelling, the practice has become known for its timeless elegance and serene interiors. A second design studio followed six years ago in London, to cater for a growing international clientele. Working alongside his design partner Emilie Le Corre since very early on, Emilie and Guillaume share the same vision which they bring to life through their exclusive projects.
Images courtesy of Guillaume Alan