Remember the Perfect Paris Pied-à-terre I posted two weeks ago? It is located in the Hôtel de Duc de Gesvres which was renovated by the interior designer Joseph Achkar and his partner Michel Charrière who found the property 19 years ago when it had been home to a bank. The hotel particulier was originally built by French architect Antoine Lepautre in 1652 and was once the home of the Duke of Gesvres, the governor of Paris under King Louis XIV. Now it is a showplace for antiques and artwork from a mix and periods and styles collected over 40 years as seen recently in Vogue Arabia.

“Among the various paintings, two portraits by French baroque artist Hyacinthe Rigaud feature the Duke of Berwick and the Duke of Noailles. Inside the library sits a golden clock by Cronier – the same model was offered to Queen Marie-Antoinette for her residence at the Trianon in Versailles. A 16th-century Mughal footrest is near a Louis XIV console and a red velvet daybed from the 17th century. The latter recalls the tradition of receiving guests lying down. It is one of the very rare such beds undamaged and with all its gold detailing intact. Near the French windows sits an alabaster Yemeni sculpture with arm up almost in friendly salutation; 2 300 years old, its ears are pierced and incredibly feature its original gold hoop earrings.”

The home is so beautiful that I hope we can see more published projects by this talented duo.