Interiors: How to Perfect the Modern-Haussmannian Chic

Where 19th-century mouldings meet minimalist moodboards.

There’s a certain Parisian apartment—the kind that makes you stop mid-scroll, clutch your oat milk flat white, and whisper “mon dieu.” It’s a blend of Haussmannian grandeur and modern restraint, a poetry of opposites: soaring ceilings and floating sofas, ornate cornices paired with sculptural lighting, antique fireplaces quietly hosting Japanese ceramics. This is Modern-Haussmannian Chic—the ultimate Paris interior fantasy, and the most coveted aesthetic in contemporary European design.

The Socialites have broken it down to a symphony of contrasts and craftsmanship, so you can recreate the look wherever you live—whether that’s a Marais salon or a 35m² walk-up in Milan.

🏛 Know Your Canvas: The Haussmannian Frame

The bones of the look are architectural:

Chevron parquet floors (or something convincingly similar)
Mouldings, cornices, wainscoting—don’t paint them out, paint them with purpose
Marble fireplaces, often unused but absolutely essential to the vibe
Tall windows dressed in nothing heavier than linen

No Haussmannian shell? Fake it:

Add wall panelling (moulures) in MDF or plaster—painted in soft neutrals or deep navy
Create visual height with elongated curtains hung just below the ceiling line

🛋 What to Mix: The Golden Rules

1. Old Bones, Clean Lines
Let the architecture be the drama. Furnish with restraint:

Low, sculptural sofas (à la Pierre Paulin or Sarah Lavoine)
Mid-century armchairs, like a curved bouclé classic or a vintage Wassily
Invisible storage—let the clutter exist, just unseen

2. Traditional Details, Modern Art
Think: A gilded mirror above a fireplace with a Brutalist black-and-white abstract next to it.

Huge canvases on classic walls—oversized to dominate
Bold photography, preferably moody or architectural

3. Warmth Over White
No stark minimalism here. It’s elevated comfort.

Layer soft textiles: velvet, boucle, washed linen
Add warm neutrals: biscuit, camel, faded ochre
A few well-worn antiques or family pieces to break the showroom feel

🪞 Key Elements to Anchor the Look

Oversized Gold Mirror — A must above a fireplace. Either Louis XVI or Napoleon III in style.
Statement Lighting — Go sculptural: Noguchi lanterns, Flos pendants, or Parisian antique sconces.
Stone Coffee Table — Travertine or marble, the chunkier the better.
Design Dining Chairs — Think Jeanneret, Eames, or bold velvet with thin legs.
Artful Accent Chair — A little eccentricity is mandatory. Think a vintage rattan piece or a 70s silhouette in cream boucle.
Books & Objects — Design books, vintage candleholders, ashtrays-as-vases, small sculptures.

🛒 Where to Source It All (Like a True Parisienne)

🇫🇷 Parisian Showrooms & Boutiques

Merci (111 Blvd Beaumarchais, 3e): For high-end bohemian essentials
Caravane (6 Rue Pavée, 4e): Lush, artistic, modern-boho furniture
Sarah Lavoine (28 Rue du Bac, 7e): The Parisian queen of modern-Haussmannian harmony
Astier de Villatte (173 Rue Saint-Honoré, 1er): Handcrafted ceramics and whimsical oddities

🛍 Antique & Vintage Hunting

Marché Paul Bert Serpette at Les Puces de Saint-Ouen: Mid-century heaven
Le Bon Marché’s La Grande Épicerie Home Section: For elevated tableware and decor
Selency (online): French marketplace for design treasures and vintage furniture

🌍 Modern Minimalism to Mix In

Hay, Ferm Living, Muuto (Scandi softness with French compatibility)
The Socialite Family: French-founded, family-inspired modern furniture with vintage nods
Artemest: For Italian-made lighting and unique furniture pieces that harmonize with French flair

🎨 Inspiration Sources for the Perfect Palette & Mood

Instagram Accounts: @thesocialitefamily, @parisianvibe, @apartmentdiet, @cestmaria
Books to Own:
- “Parisian by Design” by David Jimenez
- “Haute Bohemians: Paris” by Miguel Flores-Vianna
- “Live Beautiful” by Athena Calderone
Parisian Hotels to Mentally Move Into:
- Hotel de Crillon (Suite Bernstein)
- Hotel des Grands Boulevards
- Maison Proust (for maximalist inspiration)

✨ Final Flourishes That Seal the Style

A large vintage rug—Persian, Beni Ourain, or faded Turkish
Dried flowers or sculptural branches in oversized vessels
A mismatched dining setup—combine upholstered Louis XV with minimalist metal
Candles in proper holders—no scentless wax blobs here
An air of studied nonchalance—leave a jacket over the chair, an open book on the bed, a champagne coupe by the window