I was looking through one of my old Veranda magazines (May-June 2006), which included a Paris apartment decorated by Myra Hoefer. Hoefer is a California native and has completed many design projects in Paris for international clients and for the American vacation rental company, Chez Vous. The owners of this apartment are from Sausalito, California.
According to the Veranda article, (written by Jean Bond Rafferty) Hoefer decorated the apartment in just eight days. The furnishings include a mix of antiques, reproductions, refinished furniture, and even sofas from IKEA. The coffee table above was originally a mahogany color.
The apartment is exactly what one would expect to find in Paris. It's elegant and sophisticated, but also comfortable and relaxed.
Above are the IKEA sofas. Can you believe it? IKEA never looked so good.
The entry way, above, includes a chandelier and an Indonesian mirror which was given a makeover with gray paint.
A closer look at a papier-mache figure in the entry way.
Antique oak daybeds and a bust of Napoleon, above.
A plaster chandelier hangs above the dining table and slip covered chairs. The faience plates are from Astier de Villatte.
Again, the yellow silk drapes are stand outs. I've never considered using yellow in my home, but that may change after studying these photos. I'm trying not to gush, but I'm going to do it anyway. This apartment is just beautiful!
The last photo is of the guest room. The room is accented by touches of lavender, including ribbon which highlights the prints on the wall and organizes bundles of magazines. The ivory silk drapes frame a classic French window.
So, if I could have any apartment in Paris this would be my first choice. However, there are plenty of ideas here to bring Parisian style home, whever that may be:
1) Brightly colored drapes (silk or other fabric)
2) A few antiques or good reproductions
3) Pillows in a variety of patterns and complementary colors
4) A collection of inexpensive plates displayed on a wall
5) Candles and fresh flowers
All of these items can be found at a variety of price-points which is good news for those of us on a limited budget.
Visit Myra Hoefer's website to see more of her interiors.
All photos from Veranda Magazine. Interior Design by Myra Hoefer. Photography by Jacques Dirand. Veranda Magazine article produced by Caroline Englefield.
bon soir i couldnt sleep ! what a lovely surprise to be greeeted by Paris yes the apt is elegant and VERY comfortable too I collect the A de V plates they are wonderful and remind me daily of Parigi where i used to live also the pumpkinone . ill be there in a few weeks though
ReplyDeleteThankyou fay xx
This apartment is amazing. It is hard to believe it is 5 years old as it looks so current. Love it!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous apartment! I just adore French style!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful!! And incredible that it was completed in 8 days. But of course it always helps when the apartment has great bones as this one - incredible plaster and millwork. Just lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhat an apartment! I could move right in! But,when in Paris, couldn't we live just about anywhere????? Just discovered your site and love it.
ReplyDeleteThat is a fabulous apartment. I love that she mixed ikea sofas in with those amazing antique daybeds. You can make anything look great with the right mix and that apartment has it all!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an apartment! I love the entry- what a great intro to the rest of the home. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSo dreamy.I've always desired to have a white room, but my family loves to leave trail marks wherever they go:)leaving a white room something to continue only dreaming about. I wonder if there is white fabric now that repells stains and dirt?
ReplyDeleteThis is so dreamy.....love the soft casual but super elegant style, and all the flowy colors. Stunning...the hallway, bedroom and millwork are incredible. Thank you for sharing this beautiful apt. wtih us..take me back to Paris!
ReplyDeletePlesae visit my blog...doing a giveway, first one ever, for speaking of french things...a french chair!
www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com
hi deborah,
ReplyDeletei LOVE this apt. and i have been considering a little yellow too for the summer. and i also concur on the ikea sofas. i will tell you that recently we purchased one for my husbands office and the new ikea sofa's are way better than they used to be. except for the depth of the seating it is identical to our much pricier pb version. who knew?
also, on a sad note, during the recent flooding here (yes is does rain here sometimes) i lost my entire magazine collection that was in the basement. sitting in 3" of water killed them all. i mourn them everyday.
xo
janet
Absolutely stunning...adore the yellow silk draperies and the fabulous chest in the first and second images. I could move right in...
ReplyDeleteI love revisiting old magazines. You get inspired in whole new ways!
ReplyDeleteher apts in paris are the best - chez vous, i think it's called. it's late, i could be wrong about that name! but all the apt. are fabulous. she has the best taste!!!!
ReplyDeleteAn Ikea sofa in a high ceilinged Paris apartment like that is like Levi jeans on Kate Moss. It looks great because of the context. As usual, taste is much more important than price, and often well chosen inexpensive things are the best choice. Of course any interior looks more spacious and bright with such a light colour scheme. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIf you hadn't gushed Deborah, by golly I would have & unashamedly so! For me the drapes are the clincher here, they seem to anchor everything else perfectly. I would love to ask Myra if the drapes came first in her vision or if they were the finale.
ReplyDeleteMillie x
Deborah this is just gorgeous and so Me!! Those silk drapes!
ReplyDeleteMyra does such fabulous design work. I will look at some other projects. Have not been to her site for awhile.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
It's amazing!I love your blog,kisses from Italy,
ReplyDeleteAnna
ikea has never looked better in the hands of a very talented designer. thanks deborah for a new look, everything still looks fresh!
ReplyDeletebest
Gorgeous. What a treat. Love Myra's work. Shiree'
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post! Thank you for introducing us to Myra! I am off to her website now!
ReplyDeletexx
Greet
Tres magnifique~ love every last detail!!
ReplyDeletexo~
T
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ReplyDeleteComing here via Gardenview Cottage. Being a self described Francophile, I want to move into this apartment, or at least recreate almost every detail. It is perfection. How did I miss this one? I LOVE Veranda. Thank you for sharing.
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ReplyDeleteLooks good. What is the total size of the house?
ReplyDeleteGenuinely good thanks, I do believe your trusty audience would probably want a great deal more blog posts of this nature maintain the good hard work.
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ReplyDeleteWonderful! And to think it only took 8 days for Hoefer to decorate that? I bet it's not even as expensive as it seems. The furnishings are combinations of refurbished or reproduced furniture with some that be can be find in stores nationwide. Of course, you don't have to live in Paris to live in a Parisian apartment. I could only wish I have half of her talent and her fancy lifestyle in such a dreamy apartment. Ronnie Hogan @ SycamoreTerraceTemecula
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