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Parisian architects Marthe Simon and Paul Peller completed a renovation of a Left Bank apartment, featuring extensive gold leaf and foliage plaster motifs. The project involved merging two apartments into a fluid, luxurious space with a timeless Parisian aesthetic. This renovation highlights craftsmanship and maximalist design elements.
Architectural designers Marthe Simon and Paul Peller have completed a renovation of a Paris Left Bank apartment, emphasizing extensive gold leaf and foliage plasterwork. The project, which involved merging two 1960s apartments into a single, cohesive space, highlights craftsmanship and maximalist details that reflect a timeless Parisian aesthetic. The renovation took two years, allowing for a detailed reconfiguration of the layout and interior design choices that emphasize warmth and luxury.
The renovation combined two approximately 1,100-square-foot apartments, removing internal partitions and creating a more open, fluid floor plan. The designers maintained the property’s Second Empire origins, incorporating expansive openings, minimalist frameworks, and double doors, some sliding and others hinged, to preserve its historic character. The design emphasizes shiny surfaces and metallic finishes throughout, including patinated bronze, gold leaf, and metallic wallpapers, creating a jewel-like atmosphere.
Key features include a living room with patinated bronze-and-gold leaf coverings, a dining room with custom wallpaper inspired by Gabriella Crespi’s rattan motifs, and bathrooms with hand-painted mirrors by Italian students. The apartment’s materials—lacquer, wood grain, tortoiseshell, and patina—are deliberately chosen to enhance the gilded sheen. Overhead lighting is kept minimal and sculptural, with fixtures resembling natural forms, such as a black wrought-iron pendant that resembles a tree branch. The design also incorporates art pieces from artists like Jacques and Dani Ruelland, Franck Evennou, and Ali Cherri, further elevating the space’s maximalist aesthetic.
Luxury Craftsmanship and Timeless Parisian Style
This renovation exemplifies the use of craftsmanship and luxurious materials to create a space that balances historic integrity with maximalist opulence. The extensive use of gold leaf and foliage motifs elevates the apartment into a work of art, demonstrating how detailed craftsmanship can redefine modern luxury living in Paris. The project also highlights the importance of thoughtful reconfiguration in preserving historic architecture while adapting it to contemporary tastes, making it relevant for both design enthusiasts and those interested in heritage preservation.
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Historical and Design Influences in the Renovation
The apartment’s origins date back to the Napoleonic Second Empire, which influences the design choices made by Simon and Peller. Their approach combined respect for the building’s historic features with contemporary maximalist touches. The two-year renovation process allowed for careful experimentation with materials, textures, and lighting, resulting in a space that celebrates Parisian elegance and craftsmanship. The use of gold leaf, trompe l’oeil, and foliage motifs draws inspiration from classical decorative arts, blending them seamlessly into a modern setting.
“The designers’ meticulous attention to detail, especially in the application of gold leaf and foliage plasterwork, transforms the apartment into a luminous, jewel-like space.”
— an anonymous researcher
Remaining Questions About the Renovation Details
It is not yet clear how much of the original structure was preserved versus rebuilt, or the full scope of the artisans involved in applying the gold leaf and plaster motifs. Details about the specific techniques used and the extent of custom craftsmanship remain undisclosed. Additionally, the long-term durability and maintenance of the gilded surfaces have not been publicly addressed.
Future Plans for the Apartment and Design Influence
The completed renovation sets a precedent for combining historic architecture with maximalist, artisanal finishes in Paris. There is potential for the designers to showcase their work through exhibitions or publications, and the apartment may influence future luxury renovations in historic Parisian buildings. Further details about the owners’ plans for the space or additional projects by Simon and Peller are expected to emerge in the coming months.
Key Questions
What inspired the use of gold leaf and foliage motifs in the renovation?
The designers aimed to create a luminous, jewel-like atmosphere that reflects Parisian elegance and craftsmanship, drawing inspiration from classical decorative arts and maximalist traditions.
Are the gold leaf and plasterwork techniques typical for Parisian apartments?
While gold leaf and decorative plasterwork are traditional in historic Parisian interiors, the extensive application seen here is a modern reinterpretation, showcasing craftsmanship at a high level of detail.
Will this design approach influence other renovations in Paris?
It is likely, as the project demonstrates how historic architecture can be revitalized with artisanal finishes and maximalist details, potentially inspiring similar projects.
What are the challenges of maintaining such gilded surfaces?
Maintaining gold leaf and metallic finishes requires careful cleaning and controlled environmental conditions to prevent tarnishing or damage over time.
Source: Architectural Digest
