Says Lebanese interior designer Claude Missir: “The purpose is not to change the soul of the space I am working on. I merely attempt to preserve and enhance the outstanding spirit of timeless architecture and interiors.”
Missir stayed true to this commitment in his Parisian pied-a-terre located on the ultra-chic Avenue Montaigne, in the 8th arrondissement. Nestled in a beautiful Haussmann-style building, the 1,560sq ft apartment has everything one could dream of in Paris. Charm and history pervade the interior spaces, while culture and luxury are immediately accessible outside, with the Champs-Elysees within easy reach.
As the interior designer recalls, it was far from easy to find the perfect place. “We searched and viewed over 100 premises all around town,” he says. What made him fall in love with this particular one? “The sun orientation; the way natural light propagates across the entire space, and the fact that the apartment is located in a corner, on the fourth floor, which is a rarity in this particular arrondissement.”
In addition to the luminosity, the size of the space and its proportions also convinced him that it was truly ideal. “Compared to our other homes, this apartment brings out an air of communication between all members of the family,” Missir explains. “Here, we are in closer proximity to one another, constantly mingling with one another, and we love that.”
In an elegant backdrop that honours the spirit of the Belle Epoque era and the historic soul of the apartment, the herringbone oak parquet flooring, white gypsum moulding and panelling, and black and brass frames embody Missir’s will to nurture a sense of peace. These carefully curated materials collectively create a perfectly balanced atmosphere. “It is essential to transform a house into a home at every level,” Missir says.
Pieces of furniture by Pierre Jeanneret, Martin Szekely, Pierre Guariche, Pierre Paulin, Robert Mathieu, Joschua Brunn and Ron Arad complement artworks by Agostino Bonalumi, Enrico Castellani, Glenn Ligon, Raymond Pettibon, Andy Warhol, Cassandra MacLeod, Gilbert & George, Richard Prince and Paul McCarthy. “The history of styles inspires me; I like to rewrite them my way, with a twist of minimalism and fancy,” Missir says. “I love the notion of mixing pieces. I did not buy these particular pieces for this particular apartment; I have collected them from many different places and over a long duration of time.”
Plain stainless steel panels in the kitchen add to the sense of sophistication.
The soft colour palette of the furniture and overall space form an invitation to focus on the art pieces that add touches of surprise and humour, such as the Richard Prince one in the living room that says “My parents wouldn’t take me to Disneyland. They told me Mickey Mouse got eaten by a cat”. “Deep inside, we are big kids and always will be,” smiles Missir.
When it comes to his favourite tones, black and white top the list. He explains: “They are neutral so I don’t get tired of them, especially when I am constantly seeing and using many colours, patterns and textures. Here, I feel happy – and grateful.”
Written by Karine Monie. Photos by GiorGio Possenti & Jean-Francois Jaussaud. Portrait by GiorGio Possenti.
