Interior designer Becc Burgmann on the trends making Parisian homes as stylish the city's fashion
This story is part a series by 9honey that celebrates and spotlights French home life and style in the lead-up to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.When we think of Paris, images of fashion, croissants and the Eiffel Tower come to mind, but rarely do we think of the day to day life of the Parisians who call the city home.Inside the apartments and houses where residents of the French capital live is a signature style interior designer Becc Burgmann describes as "bold, opulent and grand".The Sydney local has travelled to Paris several times to meet with designers and attend shows focused on the Parisian interiors style. She's also designed the interiors of Sydney homes in the Parisian style.READ MORE: The $8 buy that sparked Jane's lifelong passion for vintage"At the moment, I find Parisian homes to be a mix of what I would call contemporary classic... I would describe this contemporary classic as being elegant with a twist of fun," she tells 9honey Living."The classic element is in the interior architecture component, for example with traditional parquetry flooring, pendant and wall sconce lighting, high skirting and thick cornices, as well as loads of wall moulding."The contemporary element was through the soft furnishings. The furniture was, in many cases, more modern... I would describe this contemporary classic as being elegant with a twist of fun." READ MORE: How to get the look of a $1600 bedroom for under $250Parisian homes also tend to have a focus on statement pieces with less décor to create a balance that allows those hero elements to shine."For example, in a living area, having a striking sofa (with smaller sofa or occasional chair) and oversized rug that these pieces sit on (as opposed to just the coffee table), a gorgeous coffee table to compliment the sofas, and a lamp, somewhere close by. I found this was often a floor lamp, and a statement one at that," Burgmann says.Burgmann has noticed many Parisian homes had fireplaces, often with decorative mirrors in a traditional style with gold or brass detailing.That doesn't mean there isn't any décor at all, but where there is there is plenty of colour and a mix of textures and materials."From bright side tables, to glass and brass coffee tables, along with really colourful works of art, there is a really fun and funky, yet still classy, vibe going on at the moment," she says.When it comes to colour, Parisian style features rich traditional colours used in a balanced way, like white walls with gold moulding and furnishings in red or blue patterned fabric.For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.But for Burgmann, it's the flooring and wall moulding in Parisian homes that she finds most stunning right now."On my last design trip to Paris at the end of 2023, I met with a few different parquetry floor suppliers, and I was blown away at the enormous amount of parquetry designs. It wasn't just different types, it was the take on different designs, for example a Versailles panel with marble, or granite, or multiple different 'versions' of the Versaille style, and mixing these together in the one space. It was just incredible to see," she says."The wall moulding, it is forever elegant and so malleable to different spaces. I loved the use of it, along with painting some of it gold when I had high tea at The Ritz, however this can, and is, easily done in residential homes too to also add that air of sophistication."FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.