Luxury homes: A study of jewel tones at an interior designer’s apartment
Interior and furniture designer Geraldine Prieur opens the doors to her recently renovated, jewel-toned Parisian apartment.
by Karine Monie /
September 25, 2020
While the French capital is undeniably one of the most fascinating places in the world, Paris can also be a grey city, especially during the long winter months. Interior and furniture designer Geraldine Prieur found a radical way to escape that. She filled her apartment with (very) vibrant colours.
Opening the doors of her dwelling, she unveils an unexpectedly audacious world, contrasting vividly against the gloom outside. It was love at first sight for Geraldine, her husband and three daughters when they found this 3,068 sq ft apartment. They were drawn to its character and volumes of space.
At the entrance, the walls were painted Prussian blue, a hue echoed by the rug under the curvy furniture. A Henryot & Cie sofa, a stool from Italy, an ’80s coffee table, an opaline ceiling lamp and brass detailing create an eclectic mix. “Every colour plays an essential part in the ambience,” she says.
image
In the living room, all the walls are a bespoke pink created by Geraldine and called Rose Pomette. A historic portrait painted by Charles-Auguste van den Berghe in 1842 is juxtaposed with contemporary artworks, an Up to You bookcase by Rouge Absolu, a white Busnelli sofa and other vintage seating. One of the key pieces is a shoe-shaped armchair by a Californian designer that Geraldine bought in a flea market in Paris.
image
A mix of vintage and contemporary furniture pieces as well as artworks adorn the living room.
image
The pink theme continues in the family room and the dining room features yellow and blue elements such as a Rouge Absolu rug with geometric patterns fabricated by Les Manufactures Catry. The Murano chandelier perfectly matches the glass dining table and the curvy dining chairs Geraldine designed to fit her apartment.
image
Slightly more neutral, the kitchen is adorned with orange ceiling lamps and Jim Thompson curtains. She designed the wallpaper and chairs with a fabric by Elitis.
image
The walls in the master bedroom and the bathroom are dressed in malachite green.
image
The bedroom features curtains by Manuel Canovas and a striking geometric floor. An armchair and a Warren Platner pouffe, as well as several vintage lighting fixtures, lend a warm touch.
image
Passionate about fashion – which Geraldine opines is one step ahead of interior design – the French designer is a colour expert. In her home, she has succeeded in creating a wonderful, vibrant world like no other that is both daring and elegant.
image
Far from any conventional style, she has broken all the rules to deliver an interior space that generates emotion and feels both powerful and energising. Her unapologetically extravagant approach also allows for one-of-a-kind experiences where her imagination has no limits.
The Haussmannian architecture and original elements such as mouldings, marble fireplaces, high ceilings and 19th century windows had been preserved to respect the history of this unique structure.
“Every place tells a story through its walls, its materials, its past”, Geraldine says. “For a new project, we turn a page but the story continues. This story is about timelessness.”
While honouring the past, she didn’t hesitate to design an interior that seems to be the antithesis of its architectural shell. Her passion for colour is reflected in every corner of the apartment and the unexpected spaces highlight her love for nonconformist aesthetics.
Since the launch of her Rouge Absolu brand in 2012, Geraldine hasn’t stopped using striking tones and her personal refuge is no exception. “Colours have a very positive impact on our daily lives and that’s why I use them in all my projects.”
The name of her studio symbolises her vision: Rouge (“red” in French) represents life, luxury, sensuality and desire while Absolu (“absolute”) expresses her irreverence when it comes to aesthetic choices and commitments.
This article was originally published in Home & Decor.