For most people, the notion of frequently moving homes is less than appealing. However, Parisian fashion designer Amélie Dian sees it as an adventure in creativity and an opportunity to discover hidden treasures. Amélie, co-founder of the brand Zadig & Voltaire and a veteran of esteemed fashion houses like Kenzo and LVMH, has moved more than 15 times over the years. Her latest venture led her to a remarkable apartment in an 18th-century building in Paris’s elegant 7th Arrondissement.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Designer: Amélie Dian
Interior Architect: Louis Denavaut
Location: 7th Arrondissement, Paris
Textiles: Dedar, Nobilis
Art Source: Galerie Kreo, Galerie Stéphane Olivier
Amélie discovered the apartment behind aging wooden doorways, featuring a cobblestone courtyard and a classic staircase that led to a double-height salon with expansive windows overlooking a jasmine garden. Enamored by the sense of being in the countryside while in the heart of Paris, she convinced the former owners to sell her the space. This apartment served as a canvas for Amélie’s vision of harmonizing historical elements with modern vitality, a task for which she partnered with rising interior architect Louis Denavaut.
Denavaut, known for his evocative 1970s-inspired projects, initially proposed a geometric design abundant in wood. However, Amélie was keen on preserving the Parisian characteristics of the apartment. Their collaboration was a creative exchange, as Denavaut was ultimately persuaded by the carefully selected European textiles Amélie chose, including fine linens from Dedar and lush curtains from Nobilis. Together, they decided to maintain and refresh features such as the salon’s oxblood-red ceiling and its restored parquet de Versailles flooring.
Balancing tradition with modernity, they introduced luxurious pierre de Bourgogne tiles in the entryway and kitchen, punctuated memorably with black cabochons. To inject a contemporary flair, Denavaut designed sleek banquettes for the hall and kitchen, and an expansive minimalist sofa for the salon. Amélie’s knack for art collection added unique depth to the design; she sourced pieces like a painting by Kim Yong-ik and a work by Jean Charles Blais, amplifying the space’s expressive character.
The design of the primary bedroom was inspired by the ambiance of a cozy hotel suite, complete with paneled closets and an extravagant marble tub. During the warmer months, the bedroom’s windowsill comes alive with blooms of jasmine, fulfilling Amélie’s original vision. The space strikes a harmonious balance with its melding of historic and contemporary influences—a rare blend made possible by Amélie’s discerning taste and Denavaut’s adaptability, despite his typical minimalist leanings.
With the apartment fully realized and leased to a new family, Amélie is already in search of her next project. Her collaboration with Denavaut proved not only creatively rewarding but set the stage for future endeavors. Amélie describes their work as crafting a compelling narrative through design, leaving her eager to embark on another chapter. For her, the thrill of creating and reimagining spaces remains an ever-turning wheel, promising yet another adventure.
