James knew exactly what he was looking for when he set out to find an apartment for holidays and personal time in Paris. “I worked with a local buyer’s agent, but ultimately found the place myself on the Internet,” the American recalls. He enjoys spending time in urban environments, especially Paris, with his young twins Claire and Claudette. “I’ve been visiting Paris regularly my whole life and always knew I would love to have a place there, and at some point several years ago was finally ready to make the commitment. It is the best city in the world.”

Situated in the residential 7th arrondissement of the French capital, his 915-square-feet pied-à-terre occupies a Haussmann building, which is full of charm. “The location, building, and street were perfect, and most of the original Parisian details were intact,” James says. “Then, I found interior architect Emmanuelle Simon, who renovated and decorated the apartment to bring it to life.”

In the daughters’ bedroom, the small table by Raoul Guys features ceramic table lamps by Marcello Cuneo.

In the daughters’ bedroom, the small table by Raoul Guys features ceramic table lamps by Marcello Cuneo. The rug and cushions are from Pampa, the ceiling lamp is by Jo Hammerborg, and the paintings are by Hermentaire.

In the dining area, Emmanuelle designed the bookshelves and the dining table.

In the dining area, Emmanuelle designed the bookshelves and the dining table. The ceiling light dates back to the 1960s

Typical features including the parquet flooring and moldings were preserved, while Emmanuelle introduced her elegant, yet playful aesthetic. After starting her career working with Jean-Marie Massaud and Pierre Yovanovitch, the French Israeli interior architect and designer has been at the helm of her eponymous studio since 2017. She has been working on spas, shops, private apartments, and her collection of furniture and lighting. Emmanuelle’s furniture is inspired by the Art Deco style and wabi-sabi philosophy—two influences that are also reflected in this pied-à-terre.

“It is a classic Parisian apartment with a warm and timeless decoration,” James says. “The interior design features muted colors, earth tones, and rounded shapes throughout, producing a soft and inviting environment.”

In the main bedroom, two chairs by Dieter Güllert combine with a painting by Hermentaire.

In the main bedroom, two chairs by Dieter Güllert combine with a painting by Hermentaire and a ceiling fixture by Ingo Maurer.

Vintage and contemporary pieces of design and art bring character to this 915-square-foot apartment.

Vintage and contemporary pieces of design and art bring character to this 915-square-foot apartment located in the French capital.

Different materials and textures, such as velvet and bamboo, play with the light. Every furnishing—vintage or contemporary—and piece of art was carefully chosen to create the perfect balance between minimalism and maximalism, elegance and playfulness, design and craftsmanship.

A sofa by Pierre Augustin Rose, small tables by Guy Bareff, ceramics by Frédéric Bourdiec, vases by Camille Tréhout, and paintings by Hermentaire—to name only a few interesting elements—combine with midcentury furniture such as a Scandinavian buffet from the 1950s and a Dirk van Sliedregt rattan chair in the living room, and Pierre Paulin velvet chairs in the dining room. “I love the custom pieces designed by Emmanuelle, especially the Raku Yaki coffee table and the Elly dining table,” James says. The designer also created the iron bookshelves and sliding doors, which are made using the Japanese ceramic technique known as raku.

In addition to the main areas, the owner particularly likes the two “bonus rooms,” as he calls them: A wine cellar in the basement and a guest room in the attic of the building.

In this pied-à-terre, a sense of harmony prevails, while all the pieces of art and design seem in dialogue with each other and with the architecture. “Here I feel happy and relaxed,” James says. “This is the perfect calm and visually interesting place to rest between hours spent exploring all that Paris has to offer.”