July 27, 2025 | DESIGN & INTERIORS
DREAMING DESIGNING LIVING
words Karine Monie
photos Alice Mesguich
interior design Lichelle Silvestry
It may be a workspace, but Lichelle Silvestry’s Paris studio feels every bit like a home—warm, refined, and deeply personal. Set within a 1918 building in the leafy 16th arrondissement, the space gracefully blends architectural heritage with a tailored modern rhythm, reflecting Silvestry’s distinct approach to timeless Parisian interiors.
“I wanted the studio to feel calm, soulful, and quietly elegant,” she says. “It’s not just where we work—it’s a place that inspires us every day.”
LOVE, LIGHT, AND A BIT OF SERENDIPITY
The studio occupies a corner of Paris Lichelle had admired for years. “I always dreamed of living on this street,” she recalls. “One Sunday, we passed by and saw a tiny ‘For Sale’ sign in the window. By Monday, we were the first to visit—and the decision felt immediate, almost inevitable.”
With soaring ceilings, generous light, and the rare presence of a gated garden, the space felt like a hidden gem. “It had soul,” she adds. “Exactly what I wanted to cultivate—for myself, and for my team.”
A RESIDENTIAL APPROACH TO WORKSPACE DESIGN
The six-month transformation was a full renovation, yet nothing about the final space feels overdesigned. “We approached it like we do a home,” says Silvestry. “The layout was shaped with a residential mindset first—function followed.”
The result is a studio that balances openness and intimacy, creating a seamless dialogue between work and life.
A STUDY IN PARISIAN REFINEMENT
Every detail tells a story: a reclaimed limestone threshold, parquet floors, a fireplace sourced from the Marché aux Puces, and hand-finished brass hardware all nod to craftsmanship and permanence. “The goal was quiet luxury,” she explains. “A space that reflects the care and intention we bring to every project.”
A Baccarat lantern from the 1920s became a central reference point, inspiring several bespoke pieces from Silvestry’s own furniture collection. An 18th-century tapestry informed the overall palette. Antique mirrors, custom joinery, and richly layered textures complete the picture—traditional yet fresh, understated but unforgettable.
“Timeless Parisian interiors are a dance between classical heritage and personal narrative,” says Silvestry. “You need strong bones, yes—but also softness, intuition, and a touch of boldness.”
In her studio, that philosophy comes to life through contrasts: a sculptural Art Deco console sits near a sleek Modulnova kitchen; period Louis XV chairs meet modern silhouettes and moody leathers. The balance is precise but never rigid—every corner is intentional, but still lived-in.
LOOKING OUT, LOOKING AHEAD
From her desk, Silvestry now gazes out onto the very street she once imagined calling home. “It feels like the beginning of something,” she smiles. “This studio may be the dream realized—but in Paris, the next chapter is always just around the corner.”
