Parisian Perfection
by habituallychic
01 . 12 . 10
I’m being a busy little bee working on my client projects getting quotes so I hope you’ll forgive me for a short post. After seeing the photo of me in Paris yesterday, I thought it might be fitting to post an apartment in Paris. Hamish Bowles is an Englishman living in New York working for Vogue magazine as the European editor-at-large who also happens to have had a pretty Parisian apartment. Hamish is quite the collector and it’s full of wonderful treasures with interesting provenances. He had intended on painting the walls until he started hanging his artwork and decided it would be too much. These photos and more appeared in the October 2009 issue of World of Interiors and if you can get your hands on a copy, I highly recommend picking it up. The apartment is a beauty who’s time was unfortunately fleeting. Hamish decided not to renew the lease as “economic realities” began to set in for even those at venerable Vogue.
It’s a little hard to tell from these photos but my favorite aspect of the apartment is the thread of blue that runs through every room and ties it all together. 
The pink upholstered Louis XV syle chair was used in a Bruce Weber fashion shoot. I also love the cheeky mask on the bust in the background!
This room looks like the perfect place to drink tea and eat colorful macaroons on a gray day! 
I would never have thought to add seating to the drawing gallery since it’s really a hallway and pass through but the large window makes for a sunny sitting area. 
It was fun trying to see what books were on the shelves and see all the great art. The photo of Jackie Kennedy hanging on the wall is by Slim Aarons while the headboard below is by Lisa Fine. You can see her home in the December issue of Lonny! It’s a shame that Hamish no longer lives in this beautiful apartment but I’m sure he’s already decorating another little pied-à-terre as we speak! C’est magnifique! 
UPDATE: To see Hamish’s New York apartment, head over to the NEO-Traditionalist. Looks like the pink Louis chair took a trip across the pond. Or maybe there were two of them!
Photos by François Halard
19 Comments
You are my soul mate! This is seriously one of my top five favorite interiors of all time. I’m so in love with Hamish—he’s so debonair and his interiors have such flair (wow, I swear I didn’t mean to rhyme). His place in NY is equally fantastic. The parties he must throw…sigh.
XX Kate
Love that hallway shot, who knew, sit and see a spell! Also the last image in the bedroom, the headboard is delish. And the touches of tourquoise is very complementary to the sky & the landscape pictures.
Leslie
Adding furnishings to that hall is fantastic..all one needs is a great book! The over sized molding on the door is my favorite feature!
love the reading nook/sitting area!
Drop-Dead Beautifully Smart! I am dying to know more about those drapes. Thanks for posting this, Heather!
The rooms are perfect for a gray rainy day with the large windows and warm inviting seating.
Each room is perfection and transend time. Heaven!
Gorgeous. Love the details.
Paula Grace ~
The bust and mask were the first thing I noticed. I love it. Thanks for the reminder to dig out my magazine. Good luck with the quotes. Least favorite part of my job but oh, most necessary.
Gwen Driscoll
Ragland Hill Social
All photos are amazing. I hope he creates a wonderful spot for his collection!
Love the bookcase and all the accessories – especially the fedora wearing bust! The thread of blue throughout the rooms is genius. Tres chic!
– The Buzz –
I am loving it. Especially the are arrangements! Thank you for sharing.
I am a clutter lover but this is too much, feeling a bit dizzy. Many of the pieces are lovely, a little paring would make them shine and restore my equalibrium.
You are right, the not-too-obvious accents in blue are fab!
bundle design co.
That headboard is adorable! Love love 🙂
Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. I would never eat another french fry again if I could live here…and since you don’t know me, that’s saying A LOT.
Love that it doesn’t feel too “done” – and love that pink chair.
I am in love- that was simply move-in ready for me- how I would love to have that and Paris to boot! I am sure wherever Hamish moves, it will be wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
SO stunning! When can I move in?
It is lovely..and an inspiration. I love the eclectic quirkiness of it all. There is no holding back…just living!
Jeanne 🙂