I had thought at some point I would take nice photos of our Paris apartment so I could remember it but of course that was low on the priority list in the midst of moving so here are some pictures I took of our living room last summer. These photos weren’t taken on the same day which is why the art is in different places in some of the photos.
We’ve loved living in this apartment. It is located in the 7th arrondissement with great food streets like Rue Cler and Rue Grenelle nearby and and six bakeries within two blocks of us! It is located across the street from the Eiffel Tower and you can even see it out our window (just a tiny bit.) When it sparkles in the evening it catches my eye while I’m working or reading to my kids on the couch. It always makes me smile and reminds me that I’m living in Paris.
When we rented it in February 2011 it was partially furnished. This was a blessing and a curse. It meant that we didn’t have to buy beds or a refrigerator (in France unfurnished apartments don’t come with appliances!) But it also meant we had to live with some funny old lamps I didn’t love. In fact the sofa it came with wasn’t very comfortable and I was dreading living with it for the year so we decided to have it taken to storage and bought the navy blue velvet one you see below. (Which by the way we are selling the sofa this week. If you are interested and can come pick it up by Thursday email me and I’ll make you a great deal.) We had to make due with some things but a lot of the pieces in the apartment were antiques and were nice and sturdy. It was a challenge to decorate it when it was temporary–for things like art we made some of our own and I think the biggest trick is to try to have lots of plants around to make things feel homey. Live plants make everything feel better. For all my sources see the list at the end of the post.
In case you are curious here are the before pictures and here was my inspiration board.
Click through for more pictures and sources.
So what did we do with all the stuff? Well, some stuff we sold, some stuff we are cramming into 12 suitcases and a couple of the mid-sized items like side tables and chairs a new friend offered to bring them over when they moved to the Bay Area in a few months. (So generous right?!) Of course I wish we could fill up a container with awesome things from the Paris flea and bring my pretty blue velvet sofa back but it wasn’t realistic this time around.
Sources
Sofas: from AmPm
Side Tables: from the flea market
Abstract art: we made
Polka dot art: we made
Carnival Oil Painting: (with a funny story) from the flea market
Task Lamps: from AmPm
Side Chairs: from the flea market
Cameroon Juju Hat: from the flea market
Rug: from Morocco
Amanda
April 23, 2012
oh my!! these photos of your home in paris are so lovely. i adore your efforless eclectic style. the paintings above your blue sofa are just beautiful. i have always dreamed of living in paris so i have lived vicariously through your travels…:) thank you for sharing these photos with us!
xo, amanda
http://mamawatters.blogspot.com
Jenni Bailey
April 23, 2012
Oh my goodness – the floor! Last night my husband and I were sketching out ideas for our new living room floor. What I drew looked exactly like what I see in your pictures. I’m pretty sure that’s a sign. 🙂
Maddison
April 23, 2012
Oh just lovely. For a temporary apartment, what a wonderful job you did filling it with charming pieces. It looks so cozy! Are you bringing home the rug from Morocco?
yes! we sent three rugs back with my friend. They actually roll up very small.
Felicia
April 23, 2012
Living in Paris sounds truly wonderful, and your apartment is lovely! Where did you find that red textured piece of art hanging on the wall? It’s pretty amazing!
That is a Cameroon Juju hat and I got it at a flea market.
Christi
April 23, 2012
So perfect! I’ve been waiting to see pics of your place in Paris! It is just as lovely as I imagined. And your view of the sparkling Eiffel Tower – magical!
Anni
April 23, 2012
I’m amazed at what a beautiful home you made in such a short time. It’s absolutely beautiful, that blue couch especially. There’s something about Parisian architecture (those floors! those windows!) that just makes my heart sing.
Amy @Picture It
April 23, 2012
I love that in the 5th picture you can see your little boy (or I assume yours) peeking up from the chair. Adorable! and your apartment is, of course, adorable too.
AC
April 23, 2012
FML
Mandy
April 23, 2012
Love your apartment! Our paths must have nearly crossed many times while you have been in Paris, as we always stay in this neighbourhood. Wishing your the very best for your trip back to the US…..
unfounddoor
April 23, 2012
Mmmm… Herringbone floor… Sweet.
PINK SPARKLE FUN
April 23, 2012
Beautiful, all of it! So lovely. What will become of the grey sofa? Was that yours or did it come with the flat?
Carina
April 23, 2012
I can’t believe you got a juju hat at the market. I’ve been scouring DI for one for two years without any luck 😉
Joan
April 23, 2012
The apartment is gorgeous. You must be so sad, packing up to leave it, even with SF waiting for you.
Raeanne
April 23, 2012
What a magical place! If I knew you, I’d come visit! My husband and I always dream of packing up and moving abroad – good for you! Enjoy all the culinary delights of Paris!!
Mrs Average Bride
April 23, 2012
Ooo I love those water color paintings in the back. =)
Ana
April 23, 2012
It’s so bright and airy, I love it! I love how so many items are from the flea market, so they have a story behind them.
I do love living in San Francisco, but I don’t think I could ever leave Paris…
Elizabeth
April 23, 2012
I can’t wait to see your new place in SF! Too bad you couldn’t bring that lovely sofa home too. I will be looking out for a yellow Juju hat when we visit next April, are they terrible expensive? My dream is to live in Paris for a year but I’m intimidated by the expense. Not only the high rent, but all the shopping I would be doing all across Europe. Have a safe trip home!
Lindsay Glatz
April 23, 2012
Oh, if only I was in Paris I would snap that blue sofa up in a heartbeat. Le sigh…
Ashley
April 23, 2012
Tres chic, Jordan. If I were you, I’d make it my mission to bring home every piece of furniture I bought in Paris, but I understand that’s not realistic. I’m still crazy over your linen loveseat!
Amanda
April 23, 2012
Goodness, you’re apartment is absolutely stunning! I can’t get over the fact that you have a view of the Eiffel Tower! So, breathtaking! I would love to live in Paris for a year.
Jennifer @EsqEvents
April 23, 2012
It makes me sad that you cannot take either couch home with you. I love the settee and the freakin blu couch!
Jessica
April 23, 2012
Can you give a little info about the red piece in the corner of the room? It looks really interesting!
callie
April 23, 2012
Your apartment is SO lovely! love all the pieces… especially the art and the velvet sofa!
Elizabeth
April 23, 2012
What a fun post to see an everyday family apartment decorated so beautifully in Paris! Thank you for sharing. On another note, I have been looking for a tiny “head of a poet” statue like the one in your photo–any leads on where you found yours? Cheers!
Kathryn Cumming
April 23, 2012
You made it look so gorgeous and welcoming.
What a fantastic experience to live in Paris for a year.
Katherine
April 23, 2012
Would you tell us about the 6 bakeries in walking distance of your apartment? Last summer I tried Le Boulanger des Invalides Jocteur and Pain et Chocolat at your recommendation and they were wonderful!
Tan
April 23, 2012
Oh that couch will be sorely missed I bet! What wonderful flea market steals. It’s making me want to move to Paris now! We’re trying to decide where in Europe we will move to in 1-2 years
Bianca
April 24, 2012
So nice to see more pictures of your Paris abode. I adore those AmPm pieces – such a fantastic store! Was it expensive to store the old couch (if you don’t mind me asking)?
cece
April 24, 2012
I live very close near Ecole Militaire! I love Rue Cler, I go out to dinner there often… This apartment looks SO NICE, I live in a studio the size of a closet. hahaha Love this blog!
Karen
April 24, 2012
Oh Jordan, you should feel ever so proud of the beautiful family home you have created. Tre chic indeed x
Adeline
April 24, 2012
Hi Jordan, can you tell me the size of the juju hat? Is it a 31 or 40-something? I was thinking of getting one but need some point of reference. Also is yours a little on the orange-red? Thanks so much for your help 🙂
I’m not sure, it is packed away.
Donna
April 24, 2012
Oh, I love it!!! Sigh…
Jen @FamilySponge
April 24, 2012
You did a great job on this place! I love it. My husband and I backpacked through Europe in 2005 and spent 10 days in Paris. The place we had was very close to being a whorehouse, it was disgusting. Every night when we would get back from our daily adventures, we would gag walking in and then sleeping on a stained mattress and holey sheets. It’s nice to see some brighter rooms of Paris since my memory is a little traumatized from personal experience. 🙂
katie
April 26, 2012
I love your apartment. Living in Paris sounds like a dream! I especially love your JuJu hat…I saw Genevieve Gorder decorate a room with one on her hgtv design show and was instantly obsessed with the idea. Yours is perfect for the space!
Luna
April 27, 2012
I was waiting for this post all week and then realised I had clicked right past it.
To say to people ‘We lived in Paris for a year.’ is a dream of mine. You lucky devil 🙂
Tippy Hung
April 28, 2012
Beautiful apartment!!
nauli
April 29, 2012
Unbelievable that your year in Paris is over already. Adore how you made your temporary apartment a home for your family.
All the best for the big move!