Travel overseas may be off the cards but this Bastille Day we can still take some inspiration from Parisian homes.
Be inspired by this selection of the city’s concept stores, trendsetters and newsmakers, creative designers, style alchemists and image-makers. You won’t find any shrinking violets here!
The list of India Mahdavi’s projects, both in Paris and abroad, is a long one: Café Français in Place de la Bastille, chef Jean-François Piège’s Thoumieux restaurant and Hélène Darroze restaurant in London to name a few.
India Mahdavi set up her creative headquarters in Rue Las Cases, as well as two sales outlets: the showroom at number 3 for furniture and the petits objets boutique at number 19 offering a selection of home accessories—cushions, vases, trays, ceramics—that represent the exotic, colourful and geometric universe of this architect and designer.
Petits objets: 19 rue las cases, 75007 (01) 45 55 88 88
Showroom #3: 3 rue las cases, 75007 (01) 45 55 67 67
Métro SolfÉrino
The Collection is the exclusive Paris distributor for a range of objects, wallpapers and furniture by French and foreign designers. The small team is passionate about the artists it represents. Find embroidered wallpaper by Tracy Kendall, 3D decorative wall pieces, MINT Light Living furniture made in Latvia and incredible creations from Little Owl Design.
33 Rue de Poitou, 75003 (01) 42 77 04 20
Métro Saint-Sébastien–Froissart
Set up in the early 1980s by Serge Bensimon—a keen traveller and a key figure in the Paris decorating and lifestyle scene—the Home Autour du Monde store sells the now-famous Bensimon tennis shoes alongside furniture and design objects over two floors. There’s lots of colour and a well-judged contemporary selection, including Lampe Gras lamps, decorative objects, textiles and home fragrances, which all form part of the identity of the brand. After more than thirty years, Bensimon is more than a fashion brand, it’s a lifestyle, with stores in many locations.
Serge Bensimon was also the man behind Artazart, the unmissable Parisian bookstore specialising in graphic design and photography, and promoting young talent. In 2009, gallery S. Bensimon in Rue de Turenne was born, showcasing designers, artists and artisans who in turn present their vision of the world through objects and furniture.
12 Rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75003 (01) 42 77 16 18
Métro Saint-Paul
Created by lifestyle journalist Carolina Tossan-Covillard in autumn 2013, Maison M is organised like a magazine. The display window, much like a cover photo, showcases the trends and inside the themes change every month. From the lovely Papier Tigre stationery, a collaboration with the Minakani Lab wallpaper designers, to various Danish and French brands—some previously unseen in France—it’s a discerning selection that is regularly updated.
25 rue de Bourgogne, 75007 (01) 47 53 07 74
Métro Solférino
Created in 2010 by Isabelle Gilles and Yann Poncelet, the Colonel label and shop offers limited series of objects and furniture designed by the duo and produced by French artisans. Beechwood tables with simple lines, lampshades made from colourful fabrics or sycamore ply and armchairs inspired by the camping chairs of the 1960s create a universe that’s fresh and contemporary. Alongside these colourful designs are fine names, such as Denmark’s HAY and Belgium’s Nuée.
14 avenue richerand, 75010 (01) 83 89 69 22
Métro jacques bonsergent
In Rue du Roi de Sicile, a few steps from Rue des Rosiers, Portobello offers a wide range of fabrics, including beautiful washed linens in rich shades, suitable for the bedroom as well as the living room. Portobello produces and distributes sofas and shelving by designer Rébecca Felcey. You’ll also find the innovative creations of the Petite Friture designers there.
32 rue du roi de Sicile, 75004 (01) 42 72 27 74
Métro Saint-Paul
Extract and images from Paris Style Guide by Elodie Rambaud (Murdoch Books) $39.99 available now in all good bookstores and online.
Where have you been in Paris to get some style inspiration? Tell us in the comments below…
