Bonjour, my friends! It has been a while since I updated you on the progress of our apartment and studio. As many of you have experienced, there are global shortages on items that we used to easily source, such as furnishings. In between book deadlines, selling our beloved home in Seattle and running our e-commerce sites, we’ve been doing exhaustive searches for items for the apartment – ones that don’t have a 12 or 16 week lead time! After basically “camping” for months, I’m happy to say that we’re starting to make progress.
We’ve just taken delivery on these two matching grey velvet loveseats and couldn’t be happier. They have a slightly retro/deco feel to them, more streamlined than a British chesterfield, which I think is perfect for the apartment (built in 1904). Originally, we were going to furnish only with classic French Louis XV or XVI pieces but sourcing very good ones is difficult these days. So, I’ve opted for classic, elegant pieces and we can embellish the spaces with baroque mirrors, tables and artwork. (The glass coffee table came with the apartment and will be replaced at some point.) The rug is an inexpensive version of a luxurious wool one that will be available later in the year. I do like how it echoes the pattern in the marble fireplace and carries the palette of grey, cream and mauve for the main rooms. (On the right is one of the marble cafe tables and chair sets that we use for photoshoots and lunches on the balcony.)
We have curtains! Our windows are over 3 meters high so sourcing ready-made curtains has been challenging. But I finally found an artisan company to create simple, lined taffeta drapes for the windows. I want to keep as much light coming in as possible. The darling mauve armchair/loveseat and poof will eventually go in the master bedroom but for now is set up in the main salon. The rusty urn was a find at a summer street brocante that was held on the boulevard at the end of our street.
I’ve set it all up as a cozy little reading nook for now (which will eventually be relocated to the master bedroom). Don’t you find this color so very soothing?
Black and white prints and mirrors will be hung, at some point.
Another recent addition is this painting discovered at Les Puces (the Flea Market). I really love it, especially the roses, lilacs and fritillaria imperialis. The frame is a bit overpowering so will be replaced, again at some point.
We have a bit of a debate – how many is too many cushions? David thinks maybe one but personally, I don’t have a limit. :) Do you prefer a few cushions or many?
Late summer skies and shadows from one of the balconies.
Thank you for joining me – I’m not really a decor blogger but thought you might enjoy seeing what’s happening here. And if you missed the earlier posts about our apartment, you can read them here and here and here.
À bientôt!
With love,
G
xx
Chere Georgianna, I’m trying very hard not to be jealous! So, I’ll choose to ‘rejoice with those who rejoice,’ and be happy for you. Thank you for sharing this beautiful place with those of us who love all things French. We plan to be in Paris next June, if all goes well, and will love seeing the exquisite architecture and enjoying sidewalk cafes and French life again. Merci!
Dear Anita, You’re so thoughtful, merci beaucoup! It was a long road for us to get here and we hope that we can inspire anyone to pursue such a dream. And how wonderful that you’re planning a return trip next summer. I’m sure Paris will welcome you with open arms!
My best,
Georgianna
Well, you’ve done an amazing job and overcome the challenges very successfully!! Great results and a lovely post.
Merci!
Fabulous, Georgianna. Love the little mauve piece. Just my opinion and two cents, but I would remove the two larger pillows.;) <3
Hi Wendy!
Ah, thanks so much. And good to know about the pillows! :)
xx
Everything is coming along so beautifully despite the current purchasing challenges we all seem to be facing these days.
I love your color palette, it really is very soothing. Thanks for sharing your beautiful new home, G!! Enjoy!! 💕
Hi Stace!
Aww, thanks so much. It would be fun if you were here to go antique shopping with. Maybe next year?
xx
Wow, this is beyond gorgeous, Georgianna! What a treat to live in this spectacular apartment! Good luck with finding your furniture and I look forward to more pictures of your beautiful home in the future :)
Hi Moa! Thanks so much! Very sweet of you to say so. It is really a treat, indeed, and something we worked toward for a long time. Really appreciate you stopping by. xxx
Georgianna, I love the color palette as well and agree with removing the two largest pillows. You are so fortunate to live in such environment. I am starting to put together this year’s potpourri in my little she shed “serenity cottage” using my fragrant David Austin rose petals and wonderful herbals from my garden. Though my cottage is ever so humble, I dream that I too am in France. Thank you for sharing. This weekend we, along with the Pacific Northwest from Seattle to the borders East, are being blessed with much needed rain.
Do you miss the Seattle drizzles at all?
Hi Marie!
Thank you so much and I’m happy you like the colors (and removing the two pillows:)).
I’m certain your little hideaway is absolutely charming and utterly French. I can imagine you there, surrounded by roses and beautiful decor.
I’m not missing the Seattle drizzles, at least not yet. Paris had quite a wet summer so that was enough!
Love to you.
xx
Your apartment is beautiful and I love the way that you are slowly and lovingly adding decor. It is beautiful.
I agree that you should take off the two larger pillows.
Thank you for sharing your experience! I think that those of us who love Paris have all imagined what it would be like to live there even if it was a short time. And, we are enjoying your experience so much!!!!
Hi Sheila! Thank YOU and I’m so, so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the experience! It really is as dreamy as we all imagine and we’re grateful every day. I don’t focus on the nitty gritty of getting visas and setting up bank accounts and the day to day chores of living anywhere. But, after several years of persistence, we have the apartment and our five year French residency visas so feel we are pretty well set. It’s all totally doable and possible, if you don’t give up and keep moving forward! Thank you again for following along and I’ll do my best to keep the updates coming.
xx
G
p.s. and thanks for your thoughts on the pillows!
I completely understand the visa experience.
My daughter lived in England for five years and she moved back in February. She filed for a visa for her husband in early April and still has not heard anything. We are praying for December or early 2022. Extreme patience is required!
I’m glad that your dream has come true.
I ❤️love your work and can’t wait to see your new experiences!
Sheila ❤️😘
Simply beautiful! Love the gray velvet sofas . And the chandelier is breathtaking!
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks so much! The chandeliers were the first thing we purchased, even before we had dishes or bed linens. :) The apartment had very modern, globe lighting fixtures which we felt were totally wrong so it was important for us to make that change right away. :)
My best,
G
Absolutely dreamy! The beauty you create in your life is such an inspiration to me ✨
Thank you for sharing it!
Hi Lisa and thank you so much! I’m very touched that what we’re doing is inspiring. We’ve kept this vision for a long time and it’s gratifying to be here and also to share with everyone we know that loves Paris and the beautiful lifestyle here. xx
Thanks for showing us update of your Paris apartment. You have done a lovely job finding furnishings. I love the frame of oil painting. Pillows? It’s what you love…I would ADD another floral pillow. Put white in center, mauve and pink each side, large floral in front of white and other floral in front side pillows…..my decor is “more is more and less is bore”!!
And you look great beside that pink ride!!
Hi Nancy! Merci! Oh, I’m delighted to hear your thoughts on the pillows – love your idea and I have to agree :) We have his and hers loveseats now so David can have one (or no) pillows and I can have as many as I want. It was a constant conversation when we had one couch, ha ha. :) xx G
Georgianna Thank you for sharing your progress- your apartment is breathtaking (just like the beautiful pictures you take). It’s wonderful to see your & David’s vision coming to fruition. It’s so inspiring. Thank you for bringing such beauty into our lives – and I love all the pillows (so inviting).
Hi Louise! Thank you so much for this lovely comment on our apartment. We love being able to share it after envisioning it for so long – I’m so happy if it is inspiring to you. And I’m glad you approve of the pillows! :)
My best,
Georgianna
Looks like you are near wagman near the flower shop…lucky you…I will be there 2022 July hope to met you.
Bonjour ,
Your apartment is beautiful , love your mauve love seat , never too many cushions IMO .
I miss Paris desperately usually visit from Perth Australia but images like yours keep me going !
Love a good Brocante have a few treasures found on previous visits .
Thank you
Jacqui
Dearest Georgianna
Such an amazing apartment!
To answer your question about the little mauve piece. Remove ALL cushions! Because the sofa is a sculptor of its own. Simplicity! Otherwise your mind will get confused. The two bigger sofas will do with a few cushions. So – I have to agree with David, just more simple in my opinion. Forgive me Georgianna😆 💞🙋🏻♀️
It’s looking BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! Perfect! Your sofas look so comfortable and they are gorgeous! 🥰
Hi Georgianna, I love everything about your new home. The colors are gorgeous and I’m with you on the more pillows, the better! Just to stand and look out onto your beautiful view would be enough for me. I would just sleep on the floor and forget the rest! It’s hard here in the states too, I can’t find Woolite, and that’s a must for me! It’s a crazy time, but here in Georgia it’s finally starting to cool off and look a bit more like Fall (my favorite time of the year). I do envy your bravery in moving to another country. Paris, France would be my first choice too.
Best wishes on your Flea Market finds, that would be so fun! Take care, Linda
Flowers make your apartment look great, I love them. Keep up the amazing floral work :-).