Restoring the Soul of a Paris Home: Expert Renovation Guide
When clients come to me to renovate in Paris—whether it’s a Haussmannian apartment overlooking the Seine or a grand pied-à-terre tucked in Saint-Germain—their vision is clear: they want a home that honours its architectural soul while offering the ease and refinement of modern living.
I let the building’s story guide my inspiration — its location, its history, and the atmosphere of its surroundings. Its proportions, materials, colours, and even the way the light shifts throughout the day all inform my design decisions. This grounding in place ensures the home remodeling result feels authentic, as though it has always belonged.
It is this delicate balance—respecting history yet designing for today—that defines a truly successful Paris renovation.
1. Honour the Building’s Soul While Living Comfortably Today
Parisian apartments are steeped in character: soaring ceilings, ornate mouldings, chevron parquet, marble fireplaces. Preserving these elements is the foundation of timeless elegance.
The real challenge lies in integration: discreet underfloor heating beneath original parquet, bespoke storage hidden within panelling, and lighting that enhances period details without overpowering them. Achieving this balance requires both technical skill and an eye for harmony, ensuring every comfort is met without compromising the home’s spirit.
2. Let Your Vision Lead—Then Build the Budget to Match
In Paris, “doing it right” means aligning your budget with your ambition. Heritage buildings often reveal surprises; a 20–25% contingency is essential to handle structural discoveries, regulatory requirements, or the sourcing of rare materials.
Here, experience matters. From knowing which specialists can restore a 19th-century plaster frieze to advising on the finest natural stone suppliers, the right guidance ensures that every investment in a renovation project is strategic, and every decision supports your long-term vision.
3. Prioritize High-Value Spaces
Kitchens and bathrooms often define the daily experience of a Paris home — and their design sets the tone for the entire house renovation.
Kitchens: Bespoke cabinetry designed for historic walls, integrated appliances for a seamless look, and natural stone or marble worktops that will age with grace.
Bathrooms: Compact Parisian footprints can be transformed into spa-like retreats with natural stone, marble, artisan tile, and unlacquered brass fittings.
Attention to proportion, detailing, and functionality ensures these rooms are as practical as they are beautiful.
4. Define a Cohesive Style
A home should read as a complete story, from the entry hall to the last detail in the dining room. Defining this narrative at the outset avoids disjointed choices and ensures every space supports the overall vision.
Mood boards, curated samples, and showroom visits help to visualise the result — and an experienced hand can translate inspiration into spaces that feel as effortless as they look, which is the hallmark of successful interior design renovation.
5. Consider the Whole Home, Not Just the Rooms
Even when renovating in phases, it’s essential to plan the full transformation from the start. This avoids costly revisions later and ensures a seamless flow between spaces.
The right approach anticipates structural constraints, lighting design, and future furnishing — allowing each stage of work to fit effortlessly into the whole, with every detail supporting thoughtful home improvements.
6. Curate with Intention: Sourcing Pieces That Tell a Story
A remarkable Paris home is not complete without furnishings and objects that carry a sense of history. The most successful remodeling projects integrate authentic pieces that feel as though they have always belonged there.
Sourcing in Paris is a refined process: understanding provenance, evaluating craftsmanship, and knowing where to find exceptional pieces — from the Marché aux Puces to discreet galleries and artisan ateliers. The selections must work in harmony with the architecture, adding depth, individuality, and a quiet authenticity.
Executed thoughtfully, this stage turns a renovation into a lived-in work of art.
Final Thought
Renovating in Paris is both a privilege and an art form. It demands vision, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of the city’s architectural heritage. This home renovation guide outlines what is needed to achieve a result of true elegance — the kind of home that feels as though it has always been this way, yet functions perfectly for life today.
About the Author
Lichelle Silvestry
Lichelle Silvestry is the founder and creative director of Lichelle Silvestry Interiors, an English-speaking interior design studio based in Paris. Known for creating timeless interiors with warmth, elegance, and a deep understanding of her clients’ lives, she blends Parisian refinement with modern comfort for a truly lived-in luxury.
