Paris Left Bank Apartment Adorned with Gold, Foliage Motifs

Gold Leaf and Foliage Motifs Define a Parisian Apartment’s Grand Revamp

Marthe Simon and Paul Peller, founders of Marthe Architecture, spent two years reworking a Left Bank apartment, blending gold leaf, trompe l’oeil, and maximalist details into its design. “We had the luxury of time,” Simon said, explaining how the extended period allowed them to refine the layout and adapt to seasonal changes. The project’s roots trace back to a Napoleonic Second Empire building, which the architects used as a starting point for their aesthetic choices.

The renovation began by merging two 1,100-square-foot units into one cohesive space. The architects removed internal walls, creating wide hallways that function as rooms. Expansive openings and minimalist frameworks, hallmarks of the era, were preserved, while imposing double doors—some sliding, others hinged—were retained to maintain historical character.

Gold leaf dominates the interiors, particularly in the living room, where patinated bronze-and-gold surfaces contrast with a wicker-patterned brass fireplace. The entryway features metallic floral wallpaper from a Milanese studio, while the dining room’s quilt-like custom wallpaper includes three frieze bands and a trompe l’oeil bamboo trellis.

Textures and Materials Come to Life Under Light

The interplay of materials—lacquer, wood grain, tortoiseshell, and patina—shines under the apartment’s lighting. Simon and Peller emphasized that each material was selected for its room-specific qualities. The result is a space where gilded sheen meets historical grandeur, reflecting a deliberate balance between timelessness and opulence.

While the project’s maximalist approach is evident, the architects avoided overstatement. “The materials were chosen to suit each room,” Peller noted, highlighting their focus on cohesion. The apartment’s design, though lavish, remains rooted in the structural legacy of its Napoleonic origins, ensuring that every detail feels intentional and integrated.

Gold leaf, once a symbol of excess, here serves as a bridge between past and present—a proof of the architects’ ability to reinterpret historical elements without sacrificing modern comfort. The final space, though undeniably grand, avoids the pitfalls of ostentation by grounding its extravagance in thoughtful craftsmanship and spatial logic.

As the project demonstrates, the Left Bank apartment is not merely a showcase of materials but a narrative of collaboration, patience, and a deep respect for architectural heritage. The result is a home that feels both timeless and entirely of the moment.