yinjispace

INTERIOR
Olga Ashby
PHOTOGRAPHY
Vigo Jansons
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

This exquisite city pad is designed for experiencing Parisian life to the fullest. According to designer Olga Ashby, the goal was "to provide a purely hedonistic experience, where hosting friends at home is more appealing than going out." Inspired by Paris, but also Florence and secret doors, the design captures the French capital’s outdoor vibe and elegance. Red marble accents create cohesion, while rich and cozy textures—soft chenille, boucle, and alpaca—wrap you in comfort, offering an irresistible mix of beauty and warmth. The owner is a property collector and trusted Olga Ashby entirely to create a very special one of a kind home. There was no formal brief, only a strong desire to have a very interesting collectible space filled with art and design pieces.

The 7th arrondissement in Paris (between the Eiffel tower and the Orsay museum).The building's style is "Late Haussmann" (1895-1914). It was constructed in 1911. At the turn of the 20th century, Haussmannian architecture saw its final phase, lasting until World War I. From 1902, relaxed planning rules encouraged creative designs, including deeper balconies, oriel windows above the cornice, and loggias. Attics gained height, allowing more roof-level creativity, and building corners became rounded, often topped with domes.

The space is like a livable cabinet of curiosities, detailed yet sleek, revealing its elegance over time. For instance, the bedroom features tone-on-tone wallpaper with subtle white and pink flowers near the bedside tables. In the living room, “Rupor” by Natalia Katwal is a standout art piece. “I’m fascinated by functional art, and ‘Rupor’ cleverly amplifies sound from an iPhone for a 60 m² living room”, explains the designer.

“While thinking about the color scheme, I aimed to bring the outdoor vibe and the beauty of the city into the property," explains Olga Ashby. "Paris has always had an elegant mix of beige and gray on its building façades, which I felt would suit the living room. For the rest of the house, I opted for muted earthy tones—rich browns, dimmed reds, and touches of strong orange and yellow. We avoided bold contrasts, but we sprinkled a bit of color on the walls and in the hallway through a few carefully chosen art pieces”.

The material primarily consists of light-colored travertine with gray stripes. The apartment inherited a beautiful fireplace from the previous owner, and Olga Ashby ensured that they used the same red marble throughout the flat: In the main bedroom, bedside table tops and the elegant wardrobe handles in the hallway. 

The rugs in the study and bedroom have a blend of metal thread and wool as a base, with silk on the raised details. When the light hits the rugs, it gives a settled sheen—subtle yet noticeable. Every room is designed for circular movement, enhancing flow and connection. The Sacco Carpet sun rug pays tribute to Louis XIV, blending grandeur with contemporary design.

The design team used Moroccan craftsmanship to depict sun patterns on the carpets, with a golden metallic base, and also displayed YSL blue artworks in the hallway. The main bedroom was designed for display, not concealment, complete with a secret door in the wardrobe leading to the living area. “We adorned the panels with wheat fields, transforming hand-painted stems into brass lights for a fully immersive experience,” says Olga Ashby. “They are a subtle nod to classic French culture, symbolizing culinary heritage and nature”.

The layout offered an exciting challenge. Originally, the flat had just one bedroom and bathroom, with plenty of potential for change. The large hallway presented a chance for better use and the kitchen’s distance from the dining area inspired creative solutions.

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