Interior designer Stephanie Coutas transformed this elegant Haussmannian apartment in the eighth arrondissement of Paris into a modern and refined pied-à-terre, using contemporary furniture and artworks to transform it into a bright and inviting living space.
An American New York-based actress commissioned Stephanie Coutas to design a pied-à-terre with the “spirit of Paris” whilst also incorporating the type of ‘luxury hotel look’ that she is accustomed to. And so, Coutas designed a light-filled, cosy setting to resemble a luxury hotel suite for the 215m² space nestled in one of the swankiest areas of Paris: the Golden Triangle between the famous Avenue Montaigne and Avenue Georges V. The interior designer has completely made over the chic and contemporary apartment by gently phasing out the Haussmannian side of the building without destroying its soul. She focused on comfort, for example by putting bathrooms in each of the four bedrooms and decorating everything in a classic and sophisticated style. “We entirely redesigned the volumes,” she says, “and reworked the pathway and lighting. We also designed most of the furniture so it didn’t conform to one single style. That’s why we went bargain-hunting for works of art, bought photos by Elodie Lachaud and Lumas, and added bronze vases by Tom Dixon, paintings by Rico and portraits of film stars such as the Audrey Hepburn in one of the bedrooms – a nod to the lady of the house’s profession.”
Famous for her prestigious projects imbued with strength and femininity, Stephanie Coutas has applied her signature looks here: graphic effects (e.g. the marble flooring in the hallway), soft colour ways, pale oak parquet, white walls and marble dust in the hallway, and taupe fabrics dotted with vibrant colours such as the stunning ice blue adorning the velvet sofas from Luxury Living. Sophisticated details also feature in the designer’s artistic vision in the form of embroidered leather, varied textures created with matte and shiny fabrics, leather wall panels in the living room etc.
And to bring the pied-à-terre into the 21st century, the interior designer collaborated with some of the best names in interior décor, with whom she works continually: Larsen, Rubelli and Lelièvre for curtains and fabrics, Tai Ping Carpets that she designed herself, Pouenat lighting, and Bisazza mosaic tiles whose iridescent gleam adorn the bathroom walls, arranged alongside other unique pieces that embody her work.
About Stéphanie Coutas
Stéphanie Coutas is first and foremost a devotee to craftsmanship and savoir-faire, who also designs plush, elegant and warm spaces. She subtly fuses her love of beautiful workmanship and romanticism to create neoclassical and contemporary interiors imbued with modern magic.
She was brought up in Asia and spent most of her childhood abroad in stylish locations which sparked her passion for beautiful homes and interiors. She began her professional life in fashion before opening her interior design agency, 1001 maisons, in 2005 where she worked with a team of architects, decorators and designers on private homes, hotels and yachts in France and abroad.
All her designs feature clean lines combined with spectacular decor, nude tones with precious wood, dévoré velvet, Murano glass and shagreen.
Design is also one of her passions and at last year’s Designer’s Days, she presented the Salamander Chair, made in collaboration with furniture maker Henryot & Cie. With its neoclassical shape, padded white leather seat adorned with a pair of wire salamanders, the chair embodies the haute couture furniture that the designer has always loved.
Stéphanie Coutas was recently commissioned to design several suites for the Nouveau Paquebot France, including a spectacular 70m² suite with a 360° rotating bed in front of a bay window. The mother-of-pearl and ebony inlay on the main door, dressing table in Murano glass, alabaster wall, silk rug and leather ceiling add the finishing touches to the luxurious look.
Stéphanie Coutas is currently working on several projects: furnishing a villa in Cairo and a palace in the Middle East, redecorating a luxury 15th century 4* hotel in Burgundy and decorating private apartments in Paris. She is also launching her next collection of bespoke furniture, lighting and curtain tiebacks.
www.stephaniecoutas.com
