Living Above Paris: A Modern French Interior Design Haven

Discover how Jordane Arrivetz transformed her Paris duplex into a tranquil family retreat that beautifully embodies French interior design and urban elegance.

Nestled above the bustling streets of Paris, interior designer Jordane Arrivetz has transformed a light-filled duplex apartment into a tranquil family retreat that embodies the heart of French interior design. Her design journey merges practicality with a timeless style that speaks to the elegance and functionality of French homes.

With sweeping views and a well-thought-out layout, Arrivetz’s apartment redefines urban living, merging family-focused spaces with a Parisian aesthetic that makes her home a harmonious blend of the traditional and the modern.

A Parisian Dream Brought to Life

Arrivetz’s Parisian duplex, situated in the 3rd arrondissement near the Marais, perfectly reflects her love for Parisian architecture. The location, with its historic charm and views of the playful towers of the Musée des Arts et Métiers, offers both a rich sense of heritage and access to the vibrant energy of the nearby 10th arrondissement. This coveted location enhances the home’s atmosphere, allowing the family to enjoy Paris’s iconic skyline while remaining close to the city’s cultural heartbeat.

From the moment Jordane stepped into the apartment, she was captivated by its natural light—a critical component of French interior design. With ample windows, light flows throughout the day, illuminating every room and highlighting the beauty of the carefully chosen materials. This focus on light, combined with unobstructed views of Parisian rooftops, creates a magical ambiance that brings the city’s charm into her home, infusing it with warmth and a sense of tranquility that sets the stage for timeless French interior design.

French interior design home with cream walls and with large windows and with wood exposed beams

Crafting a Family-Centered Layout

As an interior designer, Arrivetz is known for her meticulous approach to space planning. Her home’s layout, spread across two levels, reflects the thoughtfulness of French design, where space is optimized to serve both function and style. She designed the upper floor to be a dedicated space for her children, providing them with rooms that are cozy yet functional, along with a playroom that inspires creativity and growth.

On the lower floor, Arrivetz created a more communal environment that caters to relaxation and family time. The flow between the kitchen, living, and dining areas fosters a sense of openness, yet each room has its own identity, defined by purpose and subtle elegance. This thoughtful division gives the home an intuitive flow, balancing individual needs with spaces where the family can come together. The layout is reminiscent of a classic French townhouse, with each level providing a unique function while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic throughout.

French interior design home dining room with cream walls and with a wood dining table and with black dining chairs and with a cream ceiling lamp

French interior design home living room with cream walls and with wood exposed beams and with a leather sofa and with a brown rug and with a round center table

Embracing the Foundations of French Interior Design

Arrivetz’s design approach emphasizes natural, high-quality materials that bring depth and texture into her home. True to French interior design principles, she prioritizes authenticity in materials, letting their natural beauty shine. She keeps the walls neutral, allowing textures like stone, wood, and terracotta to bring warmth and character without overpowering the space. This subtle palette enables her home’s interior to feel airy and grounded, an ideal balance for a bustling urban setting.

Custom furniture enhances the apartment’s distinct personality. Built-in cabinetry and shelving add a sense of structure and continuity, complementing the flowing layout with functional elegance. In the living room, for instance, custom-built bookshelves showcase an array of collected treasures, while other built-ins across the home discreetly provide storage and display space, underscoring a design that values both form and function. This approach creates a clean, harmonious space that feels timeless yet deeply personal.

French interior design home bedroom corner with cream walls and with a wood desk and with a golden mirror and with a velvet armchair

French interior design home with a custom book shelf and with a wood cabinet

Thoughtful Details with Lasting Elegance

The kitchen and bathrooms showcase Arrivetz’s skill in pairing simplicity with sophistication, which is central to French interior design. In the kitchen, marble countertops lend a sense of luxury, while custom wooden cabinetry adds warmth and texture. The kitchen opens to large windows that bathe the room in light and visually connect it to the outdoor world, reinforcing the feeling of an airy, open space.

In the bathrooms, she introduces terracotta tiles and marble surfaces, blending rustic charm with understated luxury. Carefully chosen fixtures and details, such as shelving niches in the shower, add functionality without sacrificing beauty. Arrivetz’s choice to use natural materials and neutral tones reflects a distinctly French design philosophy, one that emphasizes timelessness over trends and functionality over embellishment. These spaces are designed to be both practical and serene, embodying the idea that a well-designed room should enhance everyday experiences.

French interior design home kitchen with wood cabinets and with marble tops

French interior design home bathroom with cream walls and with terracotta tiles

A Home That Grows with the Family

The project timeline was tight: Arrivetz aimed to complete renovations before the school year began. While she succeeded in transforming the space in record time, her approach to design is adaptable, acknowledging that a home is a dynamic space that should evolve with its occupants. This view, core to French interior design, reinforces the idea that spaces should grow and change, just as family life does. Arrivetz sees her apartment as an ongoing project, one that will shift with time and adapt to her family’s needs.

Her Parisian duplex isn’t just a static showcase of design: it’s a living, breathing space where the lines between aesthetics and practicality blur, creating a home that will serve her family for years to come. By blending tradition with a fresh, contemporary edge, Jordane has crafted a home that is distinctly hers yet universally inviting.

French interior design home kids bedroom with cream walls and large windows and wood exposed beams and small beds

French interior design home bedroom with cream beige walls and with a large bed and with wood bedside tables

The Art of French Interior Design: A Lasting Impression

Arrivetz’s apartment captures the magic of French interior design — a style that effortlessly merges elegance with practicality and respects both history and modern life. Every piece, from custom cabinetry to antique finds, contributes to a space that feels both rooted in tradition and adaptable to the rhythms of everyday life. Her home is a true reflection of her style: timeless, personal, and beautifully Parisian.

If you’re inspired by Jordane’s approach and wish to infuse your own space with French elegance, consider exploring Marnois. From custom cabinetry to refined decor, Marnois offers a curated selection that embodies the essence of French interior design. Discover how these bespoke pieces can transform your home into a timeless sanctuary where every detail speaks to quality, style, and comfort. Bring the elegance of Parisian design into your own life with Marnois, where craftsmanship meets French sophistication.