Standing before a 16-foot window framed by floor-to-ceiling velvet curtains, interior designer Maxime Bousquet describes his latest project as the beginning of a "new era" in his professional trajectory. The space, a 3,000-square-foot duplex located on the top floors of a historic Parisian building, serves as a private residence for a couple of prolific art collectors. Bousquet, a member of the prestigious AD100 France, was tasked with a complex mandate: to create a home that showcases a museum-grade collection—featuring works by Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and Sterling Ruby—without succumbing to the sterile atmosphere of a gallery. The resulting design is a masterclass in "refined surrealism," a style that honors the avant-garde history of Paris while providing a functional, warm environment for daily life.
The Architectural Evolution and Project Chronology
The transformation of the duplex was a multi-year endeavor, spanning thirty months of intensive structural and aesthetic renovation. When Bousquet first encountered the property, it lacked a cohesive flow between its two levels. The primary architectural challenge involved reconfiguring the 3,000-square-foot layout to create a more intuitive connection between the social and private spheres.
Central to this renovation was the installation of a ribbon-like staircase in the entrance hall, which twists upward with a sculptural fluidity that mirrors the contemporary art it neighbors. To expand the home’s utility and aesthetic reach, Bousquet made the bold decision to lower the ceiling heights on the upper level. This adjustment allowed for the integration of a sprawling rooftop terrace, designed as an homage to the legendary gardens of cosmetics mogul Helena Rubinstein. Rubinstein’s own Parisian penthouse on Boulevard Raspail was famous for its fusion of modernism and lush greenery, a spirit Bousquet sought to replicate. The new terrace is scheduled for completion this summer and will feature an outdoor fireplace, a dedicated dining area, and a curated selection of weather-resistant sculptures.
A Dialogue Between Materials and Artistry
The material palette chosen for the apartment reflects a commitment to rare stones and historical textures. Hazelnut travertine serves as a grounding element throughout the residence, appearing not only on the flooring but also extending to the skirting boards to create a seamless visual plane. This is complemented by the use of Taj Mahal marble and glowing Iranian onyx, materials that offer both durability and a translucent, ethereal quality.
Bousquet’s approach to furnishing the space was equally rigorous, involving a two-year search for unique objects. Many pieces were sourced from the Galerie Jacques Lacoste, a premier destination for 20th-century decorative arts. Notable acquisitions include bronze wall lights with a natural patina—originally used to illuminate a swimming pool—and a pair of blown crystal lamps found in Milan.
The living room exemplifies this tension between the heavy and the delicate. A carved stone fireplace, designed by Bousquet himself, stands in conversation with 1940s armchairs by Otto Schultz and a 1950s coffee table by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. The inclusion of these mid-century pieces provides a historical anchor for the more radical contemporary artworks on the walls, such as a 2023 untitled painting by Ser Serpas and a 2010 sculpture, Man in White Shirt and Black Trousers, by Stephan Balkenhol.
The Surrealist Narrative and Design Motifs
Paris remains the spiritual home of Surrealism, a movement founded nearly a century ago to unlock the potential of the unconscious mind. Bousquet leaned heavily into this heritage, utilizing dreamlike imagery and unexpected motifs to elevate the apartment’s interior architecture.
The principal suite is perhaps the most direct expression of this theme. The room is anchored by the Bocca della Verità bed, a 1960s creation by Italian sculptor Mario Ceroli. The bed features a massive pine face as a headboard, a reference to the "Mouth of Truth" in Rome. This dramatic focal point is supported by a fireplace sourced from the Paul-Bert Serpette flea market and a 2013 work by Kerstin Brätsch.
The transition from the bedroom to the bathroom involves a passage through a dressing room that functions as a functional art installation. The walls are adorned with a painting by Nadine Hautrive, inspired by Eileen Gray’s iconic 1914 four-panel screen, Le Destin. Originally created for the collector Jacques Doucet, Gray’s work is reinterpreted here in a palette of midnight blue and vibrant red, bridging the gap between early 20th-century modernism and contemporary luxury.
However, the dining room is the duplex’s most visually arresting space. Every inch of the walls is covered in a custom fresco by artist Elvira Solana. Depicting the four seasons, the mural utilizes angular, stylized faces that evoke the spirit of the 1940s. The immersive nature of the fresco transforms the act of dining into a theatrical experience, fulfilling the owners’ desire for a home that feels alive with creative energy.
Supporting Data: The Rise of the "Collector’s Residence"
The project by Maxime Bousquet reflects a broader trend in the high-end real estate markets of Paris, London, and New York. According to recent interior design industry reports, there has been a 15% increase in demand for "bespoke gallery homes"—residential spaces designed specifically to house significant private art collections.
Market data from 2023 suggests that ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) are increasingly prioritizing "interior architecture" over mere "decoration." This shift involves structural changes to accommodate large-scale installations, specialized lighting systems (such as the museum-grade fixtures used in Bousquet’s project), and climate-controlled environments. The inclusion of video art, such as Bill Viola’s 2006 work Bodies of Light in the entrance hall, requires specific electrical integration that must be planned years in advance of the final move-in date.
Furthermore, the "AD100" designation held by Bousquet carries significant weight in the global design economy. Designers on this list are often credited with driving the market value of the properties they renovate, with some estimates suggesting a "designer premium" of 20% to 30% upon resale for homes featured in major publications like Architectural Digest.
Implications for Contemporary French Design
The success of this project reinforces the relevance of the "French School" of interior design, which emphasizes a mix of historical erudition and modern edge. By blending 1930s Pietro Chiesa lighting with 21st-century works by Sterling Ruby and Joe Bradley, Bousquet demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of art history that transcends simple aesthetics.
The designer’s "signature" touch—a heart-shaped stool placed in the principal bathroom—serves as a reminder of the human element in high-stakes design. "It’s like my signature, a little love letter that I leave to each of my clients," Bousquet noted. This piece, while smaller in scale than the monumental stone basins or the antique sculptures in the double shower, grounds the apartment’s grandiosity in personal sentiment.
As the collectors prepare to host their first season in the completed duplex, the project stands as a testament to the possibility of living alongside masterpieces without being overshadowed by them. The apartment does not merely house art; it participates in the artistic dialogue, proving that in the right hands, a home can be as provocative and enduring as the canvases on its walls.
Broader Impact and Future Outlook
This project is likely to influence future residential designs in historic urban centers where space is at a premium but the desire for grand-scale art display is high. Bousquet’s ability to manipulate volume—lowering ceilings to gain a terrace while maintaining the "jewel box" feel of the interior—offers a blueprint for other designers facing similar structural constraints in heritage buildings.
Moreover, the integration of Surrealist motifs suggests a move away from the "minimalist beige" trend that has dominated luxury interiors for the past decade. The industry is seeing a resurgence of maximalism, frescoes, and narrative-driven decor. As collectors seek more personality in their private spaces, the work of designers like Maxime Bousquet will continue to define the aesthetic standards of the 21st-century "Art de Vivre."
The project concludes a significant chapter for Bousquet, but it also signals a broader shift in how we perceive the domestic environment. In this Parisian duplex, the boundaries between the dream world of Surrealism and the tangible reality of a home have been permanently blurred, creating a living space that is as intellectually stimulating as it is physically luxurious.
