I was going through my stack of old House & Garden magazines recently and rediscovered this great Jacques Grange designed apartment in Paris. It belongs to Mathilde Agostinelli, the public relations director for Prada in France. It was featured in the May 2006 issue but looks just as chic today as it did then.
Jacques Grange has apparently known Mathilde and her family since she was baby. He said of the apartment, "it's a portrait of Mathilde, as seen by me. She is very Parisian: upbeat, alive. The apartment reflects her refined taste."
Grange designed the pink tufted sofa especially for Mathilde and the Louis XVI Marquis chairs to satisfy the classical leanings of her former husband. The Madeleine Castaing rug was laid throughout the apartment.
The black mica fireplace was also designed by Jacques Grange. The cactus motif panels are by Ernest Boiceau while the water lily side table is from Claude and Francoise-Xavier Lalanne.
The fireplace actually sits under the window which was an interesting design choice.
Custom oak bookcases also designed by Grange welcome guests into the apartment.
Love the antique Maison Jansen table and chairs in the kitchen. The blue walls were inspired by a David Hockney painting.
Pink is Mathilde Agostinelli's favorite color but it's also a flattering shade for a dining room, especially in candlelight.
The antique faiance dinnerware was designed in 1878 by Felix Bracquemond for Creil Montereau. Each piece features a different floral, insect or animal motif.
The walls of the dining room are covered in Provence stripe in Cerise and Sand by Thorp of London.
What little girl wouldn't love a bedroom with matching pink tufted beds? They were found at the flea market and reupholstered in vintage pink cotton fabric with red velvet buttons. I love that it's more sophisticated than cutesy.
Mathilde's own bedroom is upholstered in Rayure Fleurie by Madeleine Castaing who had originally designed it for her own dressing room. If you look closely, you can see the same bathroom design that Jacques Grange used in the Mark Hotel in New York.
Mathilde Agostinelli has since divorced and remarried since the House & Garden article was published. It would be interesting to see if she made any changes to the apartment or even if she has moved. Her new husband is fashion photographer Antoine Meyer. If she hasn't moved, I hope he likes pink!
When I walked out of my apartment this morning, I was thrilled to be greeted with mild temperatures and the faint smell of fresh-cut grass. It reminded me of early spring, when most of the landscape is still muddy brown, there's frost on the ground at sunrise, and the very first pink and red flower buds begin to pop open. With that inspiration in mind, I decided to do a little digging to find some pretty, little items that would remind me of that feeling all year long -- delicate, feminine florals, vintage-inspired frocks, pale and shimmering neutrals and of course, roses everwhere.
Left to right: 1. Kimchi Blue Floral 80s Strapless Dress (Urban Outfitters) 2. Tissue Sparkling Rose Tee (J.Crew) 3. and 4. Cabbage Rose Underpinnings (Anthropologie) 5. Slub Silk Daydream Floral Lorelai Dress (J.Crew) 6. Smith's Minted Rosebud Salve (Anthropologie) 7. 1928 french paperback book (French Blue & Company)
1. Abundant Callas Necklace (Anthropologie) 2. Rose Fight Knuckle Ring (Free People) 3. Tea Rose Necklace (Urban Outfitters) 4. Girl's Night Out Necklace (Bejewelled Bespoke) 5. Iced Rosette Clutch (Anthropologie) 6. and 7. Rosette Necklaces (Flora Bond)
1. The Warbler Embroidered Collage Pillow (La Pomme) 2. Filigree Gocco Print (Flower Press) 3. Moonflower Pillow Cover (MishMosh) 4. Vintage 1960s Flat Top Sheet (The Linen Lavoir) 5. One of a Kind Ceramic Plate (Anthropologie) 6. Garden Party Curtain Tie Back (Urban Outfitters)