A Princess In Paris: The Revived Pied-À-Terre Of Arab Royalty

Vintage and modern interiors by Tala Fustok Studio masterfully mingle in a Paris home to bring a princess’ vision of glamour to life

The dimly lit entrance hall – with inky, patinated walls and two taxidermy peacocks perched regally upon hand-carved wooden and stone plinths – welcomes visitors into a whimsical pied-à-terre, once a traditional Parisian apartment tucked right in the heart of the city of light. Owned by a young Arab princess and philanthropist with a rich flair for design, the home was transformed by West London-based Tala Fustok Studio, which saw big potential in the flood of natural light and grand, classical proportions.

“We want to tell a story in our projects,” declares Tala Fustok, founder of the eponymous all-women-led interior design firm. “To create a design journey from our client’s vision, which evokes different moods and dramatic atmospheres. Mixing light and dark in this project created contrasts of excitement and surprise, weaved effortlessly with soft undertones.”

The design powerhouse is committed to bringing timeless spaces to life with an innate sense of drama and luxury, and just the right sprinkle of ‘unexpected’ in every corner. “We take a fully immersive approach that encapsulates a variety of different design aesthetics, which pushes the boundaries of contemporary and traditional design.”

Further in, guests are met with an ancient, arched gold-gradient painted corridor by Ateliers Gohard, with bespoke smoked mirrors on each end inspiring a masterful feeling of infinity; a smooth transition from the cocoon of calm and glamour at the entrance.

Dotted throughout the abode are rare vintage pieces sourced from antique shops and flea markets, adding to the quirkiness of the aesthetic. Statement finds include a 1980s vintage dressing table called ‘Vanity’ designed by Richard Faure, a palm floor lamp, an antique Indian Naga pedestal, and a marble plinth for the peacocks in the entrance. A bronze octopus stool from the famed Kam Tin collection and a Valentin Loellmann brass and timber ladder from Paris-based art gallery, Galerie Gosserez, also contribute to the elements of surprise and wonder.

The antechamber, leading to the main living area, is wrapped in white faux fur, intensifying the whimsical elegance that softens the old-style charm of the apartment. “Wanting to create a sanctuary of calm for our client’s busy lifestyle, we mixed white fabrics with different textures, complemented with accents of antique brass,” shares Tala. “This can be seen in the dramatic and captivating corridor painted by Ateliers Gohard.”

The neutral-themed sitting room was styled to be a soothing sanctuary with soft, romantic tones, curvaceous custom-made sofas and a playful, monochrome paint-splattered rug, which exaggerates the large proportions of the space. Above floats a vintage alabaster chandelier in limestone, bronze, brass and pearlescent resin pigment, anchoring the whole room. Floor-to-ceiling windows, parquet flooring, and balcony doors that open right to the 16th arrondissement of Paris are suggestive of the pockets of poetry that have built this cit

The studio joined hands with several local galleries to reflect the rich heritage of the French address. Bucchero black ceramics by Giuseppe Rossi and the great Italian master architect, Gio Ponti, among other pieces, are woven throughout the purposefully curated rooms.

As much as the space is classically European, it is just as reflective of the owner’s hometown. “We wanted to subtly reflect our client’s heritage into the apartment’s design in a fun and contemporary way,” explains Tala. An ode to the princess’ Middle Eastern roots, bespoke mother-of-pearl inlay cabinets crafted in Lebanon recall her native land. “In the living area we used Beirut-based Maison Tarazi to craft wooden cabinet doors with traditional mother-of-pearl inlay. We also introduced a white pearlescent Murano palm light – a nod to the emblem of Saudi Arabia.”

Over in the grand dining room, a large-scale turquoise glass and brass chandelier by Renaissance London hangs above a bespoke bronze and resin table. “Looking to continue the sublime comfort and creative expression through the power of natural materials and textures, we designed a shallow, domed ceiling in gold leaf that complements the warm metallic accents in the project,” expresses Tala.

“This created perfect tension between the ceremonial nature of gold and the earthiness of the broken marble that circles the dining room. We worked with distinguished artisans including Officina Coppola, to create a bespoke bronze and resin dining table, antiqued brass finishes, and an oversized turquoise glass and brass pendant.”

Another dose of drama is injected into the open-plan kitchen, which nods to the spaciousness and luxurious manipulation of marble in the dining room, with an opulent island that blends into the floor, accentuating the marble’s natural grain.

Enveloped in a gentle, light palette, the master bedroom continues the soft mood from the main drawing room. A custom-made brass bed with a colourful backdrop is placed in the centre with shimmering liquid-gold fabric, while the marble-laid bathroom and dressing room balance the grandeur. “Wanting to keep the project to a predominantly muted colour palette, the princess also wanted to introduce pops of colour,” shares Tala. “In the master bedroom there are fun, pastel tones to create a softer, almost eclectic feel to the space. A walk-in white dressing room lined with liquid-gold fashion fabric, also used for creating evening gowns, adds an instant dose of glamour.”

Nearby, dark and dramatic hues portray an optic narrative of calm and dominant – two rivals that flirt throughout the apartment to exude a sense of timeless beauty that travels with any mood. “In the north side of the apartment, where the husband spends most of his time, moodier and darker tones create a cocoon effect, which feels cosy and more dramatic.”

Modern in style and quaint in its historical charm, this revived pied-à-terre is, truly, fit for royalty.

Photography by Nicolas Héron

From Harper’s Bazaar Interiors’ Summer 2022 issue.