How to Decorate Parisian Style Interiors

How to Decorate Parisian Style Interiors

Suzanne Anderson
7 minute read

Parisian style is refined, elegant, glamorous, and collected.

While Parisian interiors are less 'distressed' than French Provincial style, the mismatched melody of antique, vintage, and contemporary pieces adds a beautiful soul, nostalgia, and character to the home.

This character is reflected in the intentional yet laissez-faire approach to design, blending the finest components of classicism with an elegant and refined twist. 

The beauty is in the detail, and the aim is to create a dialogue between the past and present, where furniture and decor reflect both the individual's personal style and the richness of their history. 

For a step-by-step guide to creating the Parisian look in your own home, explore our guide below and shop the style online.

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OUR TOP 10 PARISIAN DESIGN TIPS

PARISIAN-STYLE COLOUR PALETTE

The Parisian colour palette includes chalky whites, soft neutrals, pastel blues, greens, muted powder pinks, and reds.

Lustre and luxury are reflected in metallic elements. 

To achieve time-worn aesthetic, gilded finishes don’t have to be gleaming & shiny. Instead, look for signs of time-worn patina in furniture, artwork, and décor. 

Suzie Anderson Home Parisian Style Interiors & Decor

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Suzie Anderson Home Parisian Style Interiors & Decor

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TRANSFORM YOUR EXISTING LOOK

There are so many ways to re-purpose your furniture and decor & update your existing look with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®. 

See how customers are transforming their Furniture and Decor to create a Parisian Style Look with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®.

Want to learn more? Stay up-to-date with our Chalk Painting Classes.

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PARISIAN-STYLE ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

Parisian-style interiors honour the architectural features of original buildings, including the ornate plaster ceilings, mouldings, and generous architraves and skirting. 

Delicately painted wall murals and ornately carved marble or timber fireplaces form the focal point of the room & offer a feeling of grandeur.

Photo Source: Coco Lapine Design

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Suzie Anderson Home Parisian Style Interiors & Decor

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PARISIAN-STYLE FLOORING

The use of reclaimed french oak flooring in patterns of herringbone, chevron, repurposed planks & Versailles panels are used extensively throughout the home.

For a grand welcome, marble and geometric tiles in a checkerboard pattern add graphic interest and are commonly seen in entry halls and lobbies as they give the illusion of enlarging the space.

These are complemented by oversized natural fibre rugs and faded woollen or silk Aubusson & Persian rugs in classic flat-weave designs for colour, texture, and softness underfoot.

Photo Source: Architectural Digest

Suzie Anderson Home Parisian Style Interiors & Decor

Photo Source: Brigette Romanek

Photo Source: Architectural Digest


PARISIAN-STYLE LIGHTING

As glamour is a major pillar of Parisian interiors, the illumination from antique or vintage crystal chandeliers, table candelabras, and wall sconces will accentuate the decorative ceilings, mouldings, and architectural details. 

These can be juxtaposed with a Constance Guisset vertigo pendant, an oversize paper pendant, or a multi-light bubble chandelier. 

Low-level table candelabras and floor, wall, and table lamps are preferred to recess ceiling lights. 

These often feature carved, turned, baluster, or fluted wooden, glass, or metallic bases.

Other ideas include sculptural pendants, contemporary sconces and LED picture lights, adjustable metal wall lamps on arms, and glass or gilded accent lights. 

Candlesticks of mouth-blown glass, bronze, and ormolu, grouped in different shapes and sizes, adorn dinner tables, entry consoles, and sideboards. 

Suzie Anderson Home Parisian Style Interiors & Decor
Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home
Suzie Anderson Home Parisian Style Interiors & Decor

PARISIAN-STYLE WINDOW TREATMENTS

Window treatments of rich silk taffeta, time-worn damask, brocade, or linen curtains soften the space and are generous in volume, often puddled on the floor as a sign of luxury and opulence. 

These often hang on beautiful brass, gilt, or reworked timber rods. 

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Suzie Anderson Home Parisian Style Interiors & Decor

Photo Source: Architectural Digest


PARISIAN-STYLE FURNITURE

One of the key design elements of Parisian interiors is the mismatch of antique and modern furniture. 

For example, an 18th-century fruitwood armoire works in harmony with a 20th-century Phillip stark ghost chair.

Other furniture pieces include walnut tables with slender, shapely legs with complimentary dining chairs, recycled parquetry tables, an 18th-century marble-topped commode, and gilded framed sumptuously upholstered occasional chairs and settees.   

Suzie Anderson Home Parisian Style Interiors & Decor

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Photo Source: ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST

Group furniture together to create intentional zones but leave some open space around these zones for an airy feeling.

Parisian interiors embrace their rich history, and therefore, furniture restoration can be kept to a minimum, allowing any imperfect decorative details such as timeworn brocade upholstery or floral tapestries, chipped gilt accents, or carved wooden embellishments to exude their own charm amongst contemporary counterparts. 

Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home

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PARISIAN-STYLE TEXTURE & MATERIALS

Soft furnishing & fabric choices include sumptuous velvets, heavy Belgian linens, brocade, and silk-embellished throws and cushions.  

Antique Tapestry and needlepoint cushions will add a beautiful sense of history.

Timeworn leather and timber furniture are positioned along gilded and luxe marble pieces for visual contrast and balance. 

Consider reupholstering newer pieces with vintage silk Fortuny fabrics, mohair velvet, or natural linens to achieve an old-world aesthetic.

Suzie Anderson Home Parisian Style Interiors & Decor

Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home

Suzie Anderson Home Parisian Style Interiors & Decor

Photo Source: Architectural Digest


PARISIAN-STYLE ARTWORK & MIRRORS

One of the defining features is the inclusion of gleaming gilt mirrors ranging from modern and structural in form to antique, ornate and timeworn, reflecting speckled aged glass. 

Look for a signature baroque or painted trumeau mirror with foxed mirrored glass, demonstrating the pleasing patina of age.

17th-century oil paintings, still life portraits, marble or porcelain sculptures, wall murals and large tapestries can be contrasted with contemporary abstract paintings and beaded antique silver mirrors to accentuate their character. 

SHOP ALL ART & MIRRORS

Photo Source: Architectural Digest

Photo Source: Architectural Digest

Suzie Anderson Home Parisian Style Interiors & Decor

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Suzie Anderson Home Parisian Style Interiors & Decor

Photo Source: Bridgette Romanek


PARISIAN-STYLE ACCESSORIES: LOVED & LUSTRE

Parisian style is collected and classic, so when it comes to accessorising your interior, less is more.

The French word 'chiner' (shi·né) translates to "antiquing" and relates to the love of hunting for old, antique, and unique pieces in brocantes, auction houses, or second-hand stores. 

As opposed to other interior design styles, Parisian interiors enjoy taking their time to evolve, and it has been said that Parisians decorate how they dress; intentional, classic, and timeless.

They design their interiors around key classic pieces and then add modern touches to avoid the space becoming too stuffy and formal. 

Parisian homes feature decorative items brought home from travels, inherited vintage heirlooms, and repurposed objects that tell a story of the individual's personality.

Some items to look out for on your next trip to the flea market include:

  • Worn, leather bound or faded paper books, antique bird cages on stands, keepsake trinkets or antique silver jewellery boxes, objet d'art, decorative embellished photo frames, and crystal girandole candleholders. 
  • For lustre, look for vintage French glass demijohn bottles, brass planters, crystal stemware, mismatched antique silverware, and crackled glazed ceramic or hand-painted porcelain vases. 
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Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home

Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home

Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home


PARISIAN-STYLE LIVING ENERGY

Add living energy to your interior space through floral arrangements, foliage, free-dried topiaries, and seasonal fruits.

Floral arrangements are soft and fresh, bought from the local market, and displayed in cut crystal glass or vintage ceramic vases. 

Flowers such as roses, orchids, hydrangeas, lilies, or peonies are a perfect choice.

Utilise additional handcrafted and unique items to display these, such as vintage alabaster, milk glass, marble, cut-crystal, cast iron bowls, urns, and vases.

Formal boxed topiaries and carefully crafted hedging, along with garden artistry and statues, are often seen in parterre gardens and larger estates. 

Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home

Photo Source: Suzie Anderson Home

Suzie Anderson Home Parisian Style Interiors & Decor

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