Elegant and timeless, the Haussmann architectural style remains one of the most sought after. With its very precise codes, it stands out at first glance. Good news: a few tips are enough to adopt it at home.
Appearing in Paris in the middle of the 19th century, the Haussmann style was born from the desire of Napoleon III who entrusted Baron Haussmann with the mission of modernizing the capital. Even today, its codes seduce and easily invite themselves into our interiors.
Precisely carved cut stone facades, 6 floors maximum and a height proportional to the width of the road… these are the codes which characterize the Haussmann style in its historic construction. But it doesn’t stop there! In apartments, it is often thehigh ceiling height and the light that infiltrates there which charms owners and visitors alike. Her star layoutvery practical, also makes it an easy space to live in on a daily basis. If these architectural elements cannot be copied, other aesthetic features can nevertheless find their place in your modern interior lacking character.
The Haussmann style is nothing without its plaster moldings. Positioned on the ceiling, at the top of the walls, at the base, overhanging the fireplace and even on the doorsthey are present in every room of the apartment. They are not only part of the building’s history, but also contribute to its natural elegance. The first step if you want to bring this unique character to your interior is to adopt it, sparingly. To materialize the lighting fixtures on the ceiling, on the bottom of the walls with discretion, and why not on the walls in the bedrooms.
Why adopt a false fireplace?
Made of marble (white, black and even red), the period fireplaces in the Haussmann apartments served as heating in each room. Composed of an open fireplace fueled by wood, they were both a practical and aesthetic asset. Today we discover them often condemned, because they no longer meet standardsAlso, we keep them in the bedrooms and in the living room to perpetuate the charm of yesteryear. No need for it to work, therefore, to justify itself in an interior. This is why you can perfectly adopt a decorative fireplace marble in the living room for example.
With its honey color and its creaks with every step, the solid parquet flooring of Haussmann apartments is a must-have of its kind. Layed in a herringbone pattern or, for the most chic interiors, in Hungarian stitchit warms the room and gives it the noble side of well-crafted wood. If bargaining for old parquet flooring is entirely possible from resellers or on classified ad sites, you can also bet on solid parquet flooring which has the same aesthetic codes as those from the period: same width, same shade, same installation. This has a cost, but the result is optimal!
