Blanc Classique...Parisian Interiors

By Danielle - 03/04/2024

Parisians are known for their timeless elegant style; I have spent hours sitting in Parisian cafés studying their chic, simplistic style wondering how they can make the classic white button down effortlessly tucked into their jeans, with a sweater draped over their shoulders paired with ballet flats look fresh and chic all at once. They have that je ne sais quoi that just works for them.

Nicholas Mathéus

The same effortless chic style decorum holds true with how they approach styling their homes. Whether they live in a modern apartment or one of the many Haussmann era buildings one similar design trend is painting their spaces all white. There is a freshness that an all white apartment offers, especially when tight on space.

AptLafayette Paris

The Paris home of Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier (below) — the principals behind top-drawer design firm Gilles & Bossier — seamlessly blends 19th-century architectural flourishes with 21st-century furnishings.

Photo by Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer.

But for many city dwellers the white walls were incorporated into their designs out of simple necessity to help balance the lack of natural light. Choosing the right white paint is crucial, and the orientation of the space is a determining factor: a northern or eastern exposure lends itself to warmer shades of white, while southern or western exposures take better with cooler whites. The French paint company Ressource has 20 variations of white paints to choose from. https://ressourcepaints.us/collections/white-color

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Parisians apply color to their interiors as more of an accessory, like with bold colored couches or throw pillows, or with rugs. They also have an abundance of flower shops around just about every corner. And what better way to add a bit of French charm to your space than with bouquets of freshly cut flowers.