*파리 부띠끄 호텔 A Parisian Hôtel Particulier Celebrates its Heritage with Aplomb

When you think of Parisian apartments, more often than not, it’s the 19th-century Haussmannian version that comes to mind. Blessed with high ceilings, ornate plaster mouldings, uniform floor-length windows and polished marble fireplaces, these apartments are the epitome of Parisian elegance, especially when they have been renovated to reflect a contemporary sense of subdued sophistication, as we have frequently featured at Yatzer like here and here. With that being said, it’s always refreshing to come across a Parisian residence like Maison Sémonville that defies both the perfection of the Haussmannian typology and the interior design sensibility of less is more. Such is the case with Maison Sémonville, a 17th century “hôtel particulier” built at the beginning of the reign of Louis XIV, eclectically refurbished by interior design practice CM Studio Paris in celebration of the building’s architectural heritage and the life of its original occupant, Charles Louis Huguet, the marquis de Sémonville.

Founded by John Coury and Florent Maillard who share a passion for architecture, history and antiques, CM Studio Paris is drawn to projects involving historic buildings, creating interior designs in perfect harmony with their architectural heritage. In the case of this project, more than anything, the duo were inspired by the life of the eponymous marquis de Sémonville, Charles-Louis Huguet de Montaran, specifically his tenure as France’s ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Also drawing from the baroque heritage of the centuries-old mansion, they have completely redesigned and restructured the building’s interior and yet ingeniously the rooms appear as if they have always been like this. Suspended in time, the antique-filled, richly layered interiors espouse an eclectic aesthetic that not so much rejects modernity but seems unaware of its existence.

from yatzer