PARIS – You may not know David Jimenez, but it’s certain you’ll know his work, for he has played a major part in developing the very specific aesthetics of Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware and Williams Sonoma. After accepting a job offer from Draeger Paris, the native New Yorker said goodbye to his home in San Francisco to realise his lifelong dream of living in the City of Light. And what a dream it is―the 19th-century Paris apartment, located just off the Champs-Élysées, is a maximalist fantasy of gilded mirrors and hand-carved marble fireplaces, soaring 14-foot ceilings, crown moulding and boiserie, French doors and herringbone floors. Jimenez added to the light-filled space a palette of warm neutral grays with camel and black accents, and of course, layers upon layers of art and antiques, many of which were shipped from California, and were, originally of French origin and fit in perfectly with the space. There is also a tiny terrace filled with topiaries and treillage, a perfect breakfast spot for daydreams…
Photography by Xavier Bejot for Traditional Home
“I remember getting happily lost in the winding streets of neighborhoods like the Marais, Saint-Germain, and Latin Quarter, discovering inspiring passages, lovely parks, magnificent bridges, and splendid brasseries. For years, I came to Paris for 10 glorious days every July to celebrate my birthday. It became harder and harder to board my plane home.” ―Traditional Home
