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A Paris Apartment That Blends Parisian Heritage + Modern Australian Design

09.10.24 | By
A Paris Apartment That Blends Parisian Heritage + Modern Australian Design

In Paris’s 4th arrondissement near the historic Place de Bastille, a renovation has taken place within the prestigious Hotel de Sagonne. Originally conceived in 1668 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart as his private residence, this Baroque structure has undergone several transformations over the years, including its conversion into multiple apartments in the mid-20th century. Wood Marsh is at the head of the latest intervention in one of these units offering a unique reinterpretation of the space, merging the rich history of the building with contemporary design principles.

A partially open door in a room with ornate pink walls reveals a display of glass decanters and bottles on a lit-up platform in the adjacent room.

The Hotel de Sagonne is an architectural treasure protected by strict heritage regulations. As such, any modifications must undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure the preservation of its historical essence. In this renovation, Wood Marsh has navigated these constraints, honoring the building’s storied past while integrating modern elements to create a living space that feels both timeless and fresh. The approach carefully balances the restoration of original details with the removal of mid-20th century alterations, providing a new canvas for contemporary living without erasing the apartment’s heritage character.

Ornate room with pink paneling, intricate decorative designs, a green and white striped wall section, and a black marble fireplace. A reddish chandelier is visible above a black marble table.

One of the defining features of this renovated apartment is its careful curation of art and design. The client’s extensive collection of Australian and international artworks, including digital installations seamlessly integrated into the walls, adds a dynamic layer to the home’s atmosphere. European furnishings are thoughtfully chosen to complement the artworks, enhancing the visual harmony of the interior.

A view through a doorway with ornate pink molding, revealing a white wall with framed artwork, black cabinet, and a white vase in the background.

The formal dining room serves as the focal point of the apartment, a space that bridges the transition between different areas. The room’s salmon-colored walls draw inspiration from the Baroque motifs found in the original moldings, while a custom chandelier by Nathalie Ziegler Pasqua adds a sense of grandeur. A cleverly hidden bar, cloaked in magenta mirror, adds an unexpected element of vibrancy and fun to the room.

Ornate doorway in a pink wall with classical artwork leads to a minimalist room featuring a light-colored sofa, white curtains, and a small dark table. Light floods in through a large window.

A minimalist living room with white walls, large windows, a fireplace, modern curved furniture, and a wall-mounted television.

A minimalist living room features a modern sofa, round coffee tables, and a decorative fireplace with a marble facade against white walls and large windows.

A restrained color palette dominated by whites, accented with soft organic tones, permeates much of the apartment. This approach brings warmth and cohesion to the space, while new wood floors unify the flooring, eliminating inconsistencies from previous renovations. The living room, with its gentle beige tones and pastel artwork, exemplifies the calm and inviting environment created through this sensitive use of color.

A modern living room with a curved beige sofa, a round ottoman, and two large abstract paintings with vertical designs on the wall.

A minimalist room with white-paneled walls and light wooden floors features a large vertical slatted panel displaying an abstract human figure and a wall-mounted abstract art piece.

A wall installation featuring a segmented image of a person with an exposed torso, arms raised, and pink circular graphics overlaying the face. A beige curved sofa and black side table are in the foreground.

A minimalist living room with neutral colors features a curved beige sofa, a round ottoman, a black cylindrical side table, a fireplace, and large windows with white curtains.

A minimalist room with light-colored walls features a black sideboard, a white door, a white vase, and a framed monochrome photograph.

In stark contrast, the kitchen is a bold statement of modern, minimalist design. With its black wood finishes and nero marquina marble surfaces, the space takes on a sculptural quality. Integrated appliances and hidden details contribute to a clean, geometric look, with a central niche providing symmetry and focus. The informal dining area and framed artworks add a personal touch to the sophisticated space.

Minimalist room with modern black built-in cabinets, light wood flooring, and framed artwork on the walls. Bright lighting from a circular ceiling fixture illuminates the space.

A minimalist dining room with large windows, round table, four black chairs, a vase with flowers, and three framed pictures on the wall.

A modern living room with dark walls, two black sofas, a white carpet, and round coffee tables. A marble console table with decorative items is placed beneath two framed pictures on the wall.

The study, painted in charcoal hues, creates a sense of intimacy and seclusion, offering a quiet retreat between the more public living areas and the private primary suite. The use of darker tones here adds depth and contrast, making it an ideal space for reflection or quiet work.

A minimalist bedroom features a black bed with patterned pillows, a purple chair in the corner, and a large black-and-white photo on the wall.

The primary bedroom itself is a serene sanctuary where the bed serves as a dramatic central feature. The ensuite bathroom, with its sleek white marble finish, showcases innovative use of lightweight materials, perfectly suited for an older structure with limited support capacity.

Marble bathroom with minimal design featuring a circular backlit mirror above a sink and sleek hidden storage cabinets.

A modern bathroom with marble walls and counter, a round backlit mirror, and a recessed television screen showing two people in black attire.

A minimalist room with white walls features a large textured painting, double doors, and a black pedestal displaying a white abstract sculpture. Natural light enters through a large window on the right.

A stone staircase with a black wrought iron railing curves upwards beside a large window. The floor is tiled with a black and white checkered pattern.

A four-story beige stone building features multiple windows with white frames and a central black door, surrounded by potted plants on a cobblestone courtyard.

For more information on Wood Marsh, head to woodmarsh.com.au.

Photography by Tommaso Sartori.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.