Life with Andrée
by habituallychic
08 . 22 . 07
I’m not a huge fan of black and white or neutral interiors but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate them when I see them done well. Such is the case of the Paris townhouse designed by the uber-fabulous French interior designer Andrée Putman. She’s so chic she frankly scares me a little bit! I picture her scowling and yelling in raspy French to her workmen while a Gitanes dangles precariously from her lips. 
But, I love the way she mixes the modern furnishings, including furniture from her six easy pieces line for Ralph Pucci, with the 19th century interior full of period moldings and hardware. Even though I love color, I feel like I could easily live her it’s so serene and relaxing. I think I might need to have multiple homes to accommodate all of my different design personalities.
I’ve seen her do this type of vertical garden in the courtyard pictured above at the Perhing Hall Hotel in Paris and I hear she has plans to install one at the Morgans Hotel in New York that she originally designed 20 years ago and is currently in the process of redesigning.
I think part of the reason that the home doesn’t look too cold or stark is the use of so many curved lines. From the circular staircase above to the custom furniture with curved edges and tables with big round ball feet, everything is soft and seems to flow. She even continues the curves in the kitchen and bathroom not shown. 
I think modern gets a bad wrap sometimes but Andrée Putman actually manages to make it look pretty and inviting. I just hope she didn’t get any cigarette ashes on the white carpet! 
Photos by François Halard
12 Comments
I love this colour scheme. The black and white is simple and clean. I think you’re right that the curved lines soften it. But overall, I just love this. Beautiful photography too.
Alice Olive,
The photograph of the stairs reminds me of something you would do! It’s such a great photo!
I love her style…and had never heard of this designer…great post! I love the combination of the old (architecture) and the more modern color palette and design.
She is an Interior Design Icon.
Good Post
I have the same problem — I need one house to be my serene space and one house to be my vivid space. And I currently own zero houses. 🙁
I so agree with you- she makes modern look inviting indeed! I don’t consider myself a modernist, but I have always loved Putman 🙂
She’s such an icon . Have you seen the house she remodeled in Rangiers , Morocco dor Bernard Henry Levy . It is so terrific !!
Mélanie
Love it! I agree with your observation that the rounded shapes soften the starkness of the design palette. I adore that she maintains the integrity of the classic structure and works within it. So many times you see designers trying to erase or minimize classical elements in a room.
She creates a striking harmony. I am blown away by the vertical garden – very cool!
I’ve never been a huge fan, but this makes me want to rethink that: the verticle garden, that staircase!!!! the vanity room which she makes a circle out of a drape and a round rug – ingenious.
The photographer is amazing. And I agree, she doesn’t look at all like a pleasnt woman to hang out with.
Joni
Great minds do think alike – I posted about this apartment a little while back, but with different images from an Australian magazines. It was nice to see the rooms from different angles. Andree Putman is a design legend. I saw her speak at a conference in Hong Kong late last year, and she is still charming and stylish even though she’s in her 80’s. I got within a few feet of her before her assistant whisker her away. Sigh.
I am studying interior design and researched Andree Putman.. I think she is absolutely divine. Her lines are clean and minimal. You chose great photos to post.
Hello, I am doing a reserach on Andree Putman and I read that you’ve researched her before. Can you help me with resources? Thanks