A Paris house untouched for 75 years, transformed into a bright, treasure-filled family home

With her heart set on a period property which she could make her own, Alix Reynis jumped on the opportunity to transform this drab-looking house into a family home with energy, beauty and plenty of French sophistication
A Paris house untouched for 75 years transformed into a bright treasurefilled family home

Alix designed the sofas herself. She found the crystal chandelier in a brocante.

Owen Gale

The entrance, with its chequerboard floor, leads on one side to a spiral staircase that winds its way up to the top of the house. On the other is the sitting room. It's here that the family performs their Sunday ritual. ‘We light the fire, roast chestnuts and eat them with cheese', explains Alix. She designed the sofas, both upholstered in an earthy green velvet which matches the curtains. The gold antique mirrors are offset by the wooden coffee tables and the glitter of a crystal chandelier, found in a brocante.

The two floors above house all of the bedrooms and bathrooms. The children’s rooms were painted in blues, yellows and pinks. 'I love the idea of each bedroom being a different colour. It reminds me of the holiday homes I stayed in as a child.’ The main bedroom, however, remained white. 'My husband was determined. It’s the only thing I conceded on, and now I am really pleased I did. It meant I could pick a really bold colour for the curtains'. On the desk - which Alix picked up on Boncoin (a French version of Gumtree) - sits an ornate gold lamp, given to Alix by her grandparents. 'I loved their style,' she says of them. 'It was classic and timeless'. It’s a simple but wonderful vignette, and Alix’s favourite place to work.

The wooden bed in the main bedroom was found in ‘Robin des Bois’ antiques. Next to the bed hang ceramic pendant lights, designed by Alix and sold through her boutiques.

Owen Gale

Walking around the house, Alix feels pleased. 'I wanted it to feel as if we’d lived here forever', she says. It seems she’s succeeded.

alixdreynis.com