A PARISIAN LESSON IN ECLECTICISM

Living room in an eclectic French apartment via Thou Swell(via Architectural Digest and T Magazine, photography by Oleg Covian and Francois Halard)

I love when I discover the work of an artist or designer through their home tour in a publication (or two, in this case). The whimsical, surrealist work of fashion and graphic designer Vincent Darre brings a zany, and totally French perspective on eclectic style in his apartment in Paris. Many of the fabrics he recently created for Pierre Frey are on full display, my favorite being on his living room settee. As described on his website, Vincent’s work is extravagant, dadaïste, with influences of cubism, surrealism, and Dali-esque shapes as seen in his home. In his work in particular, I find the interiors treated as canvases, with color and shapes convalescing to form a space defined by the design rather than the walls. His work is playful and bold, and shows no restraint when combining bright colors, busy patterns, and sculptural shapes. See more of his apartment after the jump!

SHOP THE LOOK

A PARISIAN LESSON IN ECLECTICISM 1


Living room in an eclectic French apartment via Thou Swell
Green daybed in an eclectic French apartment via Thou Swell

The decor of the living room has a very graphic nature, with his coffee table mimicking the ovular shapes in the pattern of the rug, and the striking contrast of white and charcoal taking place in every panel of the wall. In the office and bedroom below, a busier mix of patterned wallpaper and textiles define the spaces, making an encouraging case for the success of mixing patterns with abandon. These rooms are cozier, a bit more layered, yet still hold the same spirited approach as the living room.

Patterned home office in an eclectic French apartment via Thou Swell
Patterned bedroom in an eclectic French apartment via Thou Swell
Patterned bedroom in an eclectic French apartment via Thou Swell

I love how the pattern of the wallpaper continues on the headboard, defining it’s weight in the room by the shape of its frame. Vincent also visually lowers the expansive ceiling height in this room by stopping the wallpaper around 2/3 up the wall, creating a more intimate setting, appropriate for a boudoir. Although it’s hard to imagine living in this zany flat, I love Vincent’s personal, full-hearted approach to its design. How do you like the eclectic style?

Kevin O'Gara signature on Thou Swell

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