Parisian Apartment Renovation Blends Classic Elegance with Bold, Contemporary Flair

When Giulia Felicani, co-founder of communications agency Com & Stories, moved from London to Paris with her partner Hughes, she dreamed of a quintessential Parisian home. "For me, Haussmann architecture is Paris in a nutshell," she says. "I pictured beautiful moldings, generous proportions, high ceilings, and a sense of timeless elegance."

The couple chose the 8th arrondissement, known for its Belle Époque spirit and landmarks like La Madeleine and Opéra Garnier. But the location was also personal: proximity to Parc Monceau and a desire to stay within walking distance of the city center without the intensity of central Paris.

London's influence is evident in their stylistic choices. "Living in London taught me to embrace color, personality, and bold design choices," Felicani explains. "London interiors are often less constrained by convention and more willing to take risks."

Working with Charlotte Petit of ARGIA Architecture, known for her sensory and curatorial approach, they reimagined the home as a sequence of visual experiences. Petit's time at the Musée d'Orsay shaped her approach: "I learned to approach interiors almost as a form of scenography."

The entrance acts as a prologue with a mirrored archway that extends perspectives. Felicani commissioned an artist to paint birds on the mirrors, creating the illusion they float through reflections. A painting by Roman artist Luca Morelli adds to the narrative.

At the heart of the home, a deep green lacquered kitchen with a large pendant floating above creates a dramatic reveal. "Many people who walk in pause for a moment and gasp," Felicani says.

The living room offers a softer counterpoint with curved lines, a calmer palette, and an art collection that breathes. The dining room shifts mood with richer materials, a sculptural marble table, and a 17th-century Brussels tapestry.

In the private spaces, the bathroom re-emerges with theatrical spirit: a bathtub inside a colored capsule and a marble washbasin carved like a shell. "Why should a bathroom not be a bit theatrical instead of purely functional?" Felicani asks.

The primary bedroom features restored frescoes on the ceiling, partially concealed over time. "We reorganized the entire space around the ceiling rather than treating it as a decorative element," she explains. Custom wardrobes remain open at the top to appreciate the fresco fully.

"What I find so beautiful about these historical details is that they carry memory," Felicani reflects. "They connect us to the people who lived here before and remind us that architecture is always part of a larger legacy."

The sculptural pendant introduces a futuristic note into an otherwise classical view.

There's a hidden bar concealed behind a moulded door in the living room.

The calmer palette of the living room allows the owners' art collection to take center stage.

The shell-shaped washbasin was carved in Italy from Verona marble.

The restored fresco on the master bedroom ceiling evokes the atmosphere of an Italian palazzo.