The Art of Design Issue 20 2016 | Seite 54

1 Boulevard SAINT GERMAIN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD THE STYLE Saint Germain-des-Prés is a legendary Parisian neighbourhood which really began to develop its distinctive character during the post-War period. Since then, its literary and artistic renown from the 1950s has attracted flocks of tourists in turn creating an international and jovial atmosphere in this iconic neighbourhood. The magic is still well and truly alive as, sitting on the terrace of Café Flore or Les Deux Magots, or having a meal at Brasserie Lipp, one still feels as though you could befriend artists and authors of the Golden Age. These places are the beating heart of the area filled with writers, artists, singer-songwriters, politicians and more. Nowadays, bookshops stand alongside luxury boutiques around Place Saint Germain but the attraction of this central Paris village has never wavered. Gérard Faivre has returned to the neighbourhood in which he once lived. He still feels the same sense of belonging and he’s delighted to be involved in this project. Gérard Faivre’s simultaneous signature and challenge is that he never creates the same interior twice. He believes each client is unique and their home should be too. He imbues every project with a blend of traditional and contemporary elements with the aim to surprise the client. His artistic soul and passion for his work means he always meets this challenge head on. As inspiration fuels him and imagination empowers him, the end result is one of perfect harmony. The style of the apartment is pure ‘Saint German’ with a nod to the 1950s, the neighbourhood’s heyday. Gérard Faivre puts a fresh spin on tradition by adorning the mouldings on the fabulous living room ceiling with glimmers of gold, reviving the herringbone parquet flooring and dressing it with Gio Ponti rugs, keeping the original beautiful fireplaces, marble and majestic mirrors. He uses green, blue and golden beige echoed by certain accessories. As for materials, alcantara (on the