A Parisian Haussmannian apartment with a Norwegian design

A Parisian Haussmannian apartment, a Norwegian team, and just one day to set everything up. Furniture manufacturer Slettvoll took on this challenge to celebrate a birthday. The Scandinavian brand came to Paris and arranged its sofas, tables, and rugs in a Haussmann-style apartment. The moldings, herringbone parquet flooring, and marble fireplaces blend perfectly with the Nordic design. And far from clashing, the mix of the two eras is a complete success.

The light and spaciousness are highlighted by the light, understated color palette, a few touches of blue-gray, and well-placed dark contrasts. The adjoining rooms, connected by tall glass doors, offer stunning views. Join us on a tour of this interior, where Scandinavian comfort finds its place in a quintessentially Parisian setting.

The living room

The first room opens behind a double glass door with small panes. A modular Maddox sofa occupies a large portion of the living room. Its U-shaped configuration, complete with a chaise longue, follows the room’s layout. Its off-white bouclé fabric catches the light from the tall windows.

Opposite the sofa, a pearl-gray round armchair catches the eye. It is the Cala, a love seat designed by Slettvoll. Its swivel base allows it to be turned toward the conversation area, the fireplace, or the window. Its enveloping backrest and large cushions invite you to read. A round ottoman upholstered in a gray-blue fabric with a zebra pattern completes this relaxation corner.

In the adjacent room, the decor shifts in scale. Two Boom sofas face each other in front of a white marble fireplace. Their curved lines and light gray fabric are reminiscent of pebbles polished by water. Placed in the middle of the room, away from the walls, they showcase their sculptural silhouette from every angle.

Between them stands an oval coffee table with a gray marble top and a black side table with an original shape. This quintessential room of a Haussmann-style apartment—with its trumeau fireplace and moldings—overlooks the courtyard, offering a view of the other classic buildings with their “so Parisian” zinc roofs.

The dining room

The dining room occupies one of the apartment’s three reception rooms. Its dark wood Devon table serves as its focal point. Originally round, it is now fitted with three extensions that stretch it into an oval shape. This choice complements the room’s elongated shape and allows for hosting numerous guests.

Stella chairs surround the table with their rounded backs. Their beige heathered fabric and black piping complement the dark wood of the legs. A custom-made oval rug with marbled gray patterns is placed beneath the dining table. It defines the dining area on the herringbone parquet floor and accentuates the table’s curve.

Above the table, a massive white pendant light with organic shapes floats like a cloud. It complements a large black abstract painting hung against the fireplace wall. On the carved marble mantelpiece, a series of slender brass candlesticks creates a graphic line. To the right, a tall cabinet in dark veneer adds a warm, woody texture. The French doors opening onto the long balcony let in plenty of light.

In a corner of the dining room, near the window, an antique Louis XV-style sofa adds a touch of charm. Its gilded wooden frame and cane-covered sides contrast with the clean lines of the Slettvoll furniture. Cushions make it more comfortable. This reading nook perfectly illustrates the blend of French heritage and contemporary Scandinavian furniture.

The office space

Through the glass door from the dining room, you can see the office area set up at the far end of the apartment. The Zander desk, made of black wood on a slender metal base, nestles against the paneled wall. A stained wooden chair complements it. Above, a very personal art gallery is on display. And once again, we see that the blend of classic and modern design works perfectly.

The bedroom

The bedroom is just as spacious as the living areas. Large windows let in plenty of light. The bed, with its beige upholstered headboard, sits against the wall, perfectly sized to fit between the two windows. At the foot of the bed, the Clark bench, upholstered in beige fabric with classic lines, serves both a practical and decorative purpose.

A large off-white, shag rug with graphic patterns adds warmth to the hardwood floor. The low version of the Coya cabinet serves here as a showcase for a few precious objects, much like a jewelry box.

In the hallway, the small Bailey sofa, upholstered in a black-and-ecru zebra-print fabric, offers a unique seating option. This graphic pattern adds a bold twist to the classic decor and gives the apartment real personality. It’s paired with a white shag ottoman.

Our take on the decor of this Haussmannian apartment

A successful interplay with the architecture

This apartment pulls off a delicate balancing act. Slettvoll incorporates contemporary furniture into a Haussmann-style setting without ever detracting from it. The moldings, pilasters, and marble fireplaces remain the focal points. The furniture simply complements the space, making it comfortable, but without taking center stage. Off-white, beige, and blue-gray blend beautifully with the Parisian light, sometimes softened by clouds.

Curves and antiques

The curves of the furniture lend a sense of softness to the design. The Boom sofas, the Cala loveseat, and the Devon table soften the rigidity of the space’s lines. They echo the rounded shapes of the mirrors. The blend with objects from another era and antique artworks works just as well.

Light, the common thread throughout the tour

Light plays a central role in this project. Slettvoll explains that it flows from room to room and changes the atmosphere as the hours pass. Light sheers and glass doors allow this light to pass through unimpeded.

The Slettvoll team furnished this empty apartment in a single day. They’ve created a warm, elegant, and deeply Parisian interior. The complete series is featured in the brand’s anniversary catalog, which you can find by clicking this link.