Place des Etats-Unis Paris

In the very chic 16th arrondissement of Paris, just steps from Place Iéna and 200 metres, as the crow flies, from the Palais de Tokyo contemporary art centre, lies Place des États-Unis, a tranquil square lined with stately Haussmann-style buildings and historic private mansions, known as hôtels particuliers. Only fitting that such an exceptional place would be home to a most exceptional dwelling: a 345 m2 apartment with a breathtaking view of the square below and the prestigious

House of Baccarat. Renowned for its fine crystal creations, it is located in the former hôtel particulier of Marie-Laure de Noailles, viscountess and patron of the arts, who threw sumptuous soirées frequented by the likes of Aragon, Cocteau, and Dalí, to name a few.

This stunning fourth-floor apartment breaks with conventional codes of design. Entirely reimagined by Stéphanie Coutas, it has been restructured in a way that allows natural light to flow throughout and magnify the space.

The project began with the Paris chandelier that hangs in the living room. This model which is 1.80m in diameter was specially designed by Stéphanie for Baccarat. From its base, a mix of classic French and highly contemporary mouldings extend out across the ceilings. The interior designer then incorporated a monumental door made of gypsum. To build this intricate work of art, she called upon Yann Jallu, one of France’s greatest specialists of inlaid stonework — a colossal task that took no less than eight months to complete.

Striking a fine balance between clean lines and grandiose décor, Stéphanie transformed

the hallway into a sprawling art gallery that leads to the living room, a majestic space with windows looking out on both sides of the building. The custom-made couch features embroidery designed by the agency and crafted by Holland and Sherry, while the curtains are a remarkable blend of silk and silver leaf by the talented Sabina Fay. The monumental bookcase of brilliant varnished wood with brass inserts and the bronze handles on the shagreen-covered doors are two of the agency’s signature designs. The elliptical dining room table, another custom creation, plays with contrasting materials and harmonies of colour.

The artworks exhibited throughout attest to Stéphanie’s strong penchant for the avant-garde, as can be seen in the choice of video art that accompanies paintings by Fabrice Hybert and The Kid, sculptures by Marc Petit and Laurence Bonnel, and, showcased within a backlit window, tiles created by Arik Levy for Baccarat. Incidentally, the French house of crystal found this mise-en-scène so delightful that they asked permission to borrow the idea for their boutique.