Studio Asaï blends “classicism with eccentricity” for Paris appartment

November 10, 2025

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French design firm Studio Asaï has revamped a residence in Paris informed by the vibrant nightlife of London’s “swinging sixties”.

Overlooking the Bois de Boulogne, the 320-square-metre apartment was designed for a young family relocating from London and comprises two living spaces, a library, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen and a separate dining area.

Photograph of the dramatic entrance hall, which has tartan wallcoverings in a deep purple. There is a patterned marble floor, and a green sculptural chair, spotlighted by a red-hanging pendant light. — Studio Asaï’s design drew inspiration from Parisian classicism and the bold club-like interiors of 1960s London

The studio experimented with a mixture of matte and glossy finishes to add texture to the scheme, blending traditional materials such as oak, marble and lacquer with new materials such as Foresso – a wood terrazzo made from recycled trees.

Combining a rich colour palette with a selection of eclectic furnishings, Studio Asaï‘s design took cues from some of London’s most exclusive private member’s clubs – including the renowned Annabel’s in Mayfair, which opened in the 1960s.

Photograph of the bold kitchen, showing a small seating area with red-velvet banquette seating and stylised chairs. The kitchen has a black and white checkerboard floor. — The studio incorporated bright colours, patterned wallpapers and playful furniture throughout the interior

“The design plays with contrasts: refined yet bold, historical yet playful. Like in a private club, each room has its own mood and story, but all are connected by colour and rhythm” explained Studio Asaï founder Antoine Simonin.

“The furniture is a curated blend of vintage and contemporary pieces sourced from galleries such as Galerie Meubles et Lumières, Remix Gallery, Lemon Furniture and Morentz. We also collaborated with Lemon Papier for bespoke wallpapers,” he continued.

Photograph of a section of the double-living room, featuring a grand piano and a large window offering views of the Eiffel Tower — Large floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of Paris’ most iconic cultural landmarks

Tartan-patterned window treatments and wall coverings were introduced as a nod to quintessential British design.

Located on the sixth floor, the parkside residence boasts views of the city’s most prominent cultural landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Frank Gehry-designed Fondation Louis Vuitton.

“The concept was to create a conversation between Paris and London – merging the grandeur of a French bourgeois apartment with the relaxed, witty spirit of British interiors” said Simonin.

A photograph showing the master bedroom, with a green colour scheme. A large double bed sits on a wooden platform and has a wooden headboard. Two tall French windows with green tartan curtains lead out to a small balcony. — The apartment is located next to one of the city’s largest city parks named the Bois de Boulogne

Studio Asaï’s design focused on preserving key aspects of the interior’s original craftsmanship, which was achieved by restoring the wooden panelling, Versailles parquet flooring and moulded doors.

Alongside the use of upcycled Foresso, these restored features contributed to what Simonin described as the “eco-conscious philosophy” of the project, with the studio incorporating sustainable methods and materials into its design.

A picture of the large living room, showing the restored wooden panelling, a central seating area made up of modular white sofas and a clear acrylic feature-stool. There is a low, teal coffee table in a glossy finish. The back of the room shows an open walkway into the library. — The studio retained key elements of the property’s traditional framework such as the parquet flooring, wooden panelling and moulded doors

“We preserved the apartment’s noble framework and layered it with bold colours, unexpected materials, and playful design pieces that bring a sense of movement and freedom” explained Simonin.

“Our approach was to reveal rather than recreate – adding contemporary gestures like lacquered finishes, new lighting, and rich wallpapers that celebrate the architecture instead of competing with it.”

A picture of a bath which is tucked into a small space at the end of the bathroom. The bathroom displays monochromatic orange tiled walls. In the middle of the wall above the bath tub is a small abstract painting. The floor is white with an orange marbling effect. A small, black, wooden stool sits next to the bath tub to the right of the image. — The studio designed the interior using a range of materials, such as oak, marble, lacquer and a timber terrazzo called Foresso

The finishing touches featured coveted furniture pieces from celebrated designers, including iconic chairs by the likes of Ettore Sottsass, Gaetano Pesce, Pierre Paulin and Philippe Starck.

“The chairs are treated almost like characters in a play. Each one has a personality and history… their mix reinforces the project’s spirit: cultured, a bit mischievous and always in dialogue between eras and aesthetics” described Simonin.