Image: Brigitta Wolfgang | Sisters Agency

Hello Haussmann

The few Parisians lucky enough to live in 18th-century Haussmanian flats have endless ways of decorating their prized historical homes, which come replete with embellished cornices and sky-high ceilings, along with beautiful French windows leading out to balconets overlooking the Seine. Although the shell of the residence throws back to the nation’s imperial past, many inhabitants have updated the interiors of the flats by filling them with contemporary art, furnishings and bold blasts of colour.

Image: Julien Fernandez | amandinejules.com

Beautiful Bobo

“Bobo”, short for bourgeois-bohème, is a lifestyle choice that’s been prevalent amongst well-off French citizens who prefer to embrace a hippie way of life in spite of their comfortable means. Though it’s a term riddled with cliches, this tendence has seeped into interiors by way of ethnic, tribal touches and distressed furnishings that recall a fun retro flair.

Image: Stephan Julliard | Tripod

Daring Palettes

The French don’t have the same aversion to rich, bold colours as we do in Hong Kong. Not only do they cover their walls with licks of saturated hues, but they also contrast it with funky-toned pieces. Paris-based designer India Mahdavi has been at the forefront of swathing interiors in technicolour tones, introducing her ultra-chic furnishings into the mix at some of the city’s most celebrated restaurants and boutiques.

Image: Julien Fernandez | Gap Interiors

Light in the Attic

Design can make any space – no matter its limitations – shine. From the houseboats along the Canal Saint-Martin to the compact pied-à-terre studios, French ingenuity can overcome any obstacle. One example of their ingenious savoir-faire is the cool attic apartment. Though the apex of the roof and beams may seem like an irritating design restriction, architects make the most of rooftop abodes by exposing the wooden beams, tying in the structure of the home with sophisticated interior design elements.