STORY: ERIN MALLORY
PHOTOGRAPHY: ALEXANDRE DE SUSINI

When Hélène Aumont stumbled upon a quaint, 19th century apartment in the historical Percier and Fontaine building of Paris, it was easily love at first sight. Around every corner, there is something new and charming to behold. Brilliant joins the French designer on an exclusive tour through her modest, Parisian apartment with Texas-sized style…très chic indeed.

Like the life of Hélène Aumont, her homes and décor are well rounded and elegant, mixed with American classics and a strong European influence. Modeling for Hubert de Givenchy and traveling the world on contract with Max Factor undoubtedly had a lasting influence on her artistic vision. The juxtaposition of her vast collection of historical pieces with cherished artwork and designs from her own furniture and lighting line, the Hélène Aumont Collection, hits all the right marks. From her country home in Santa Barbara to the Parisian apartment, everything the designer touches turns to gold. Aumont sheds light on living in a small space and mastering the art of imperfection for a truly balanced home.

Born in Paris, Aumont grew up surrounded by the finest architecture, fashion and art around the world. She’s quick to point out, “As a child, I learned to never blink and to be like a sponge to the beauty around me. Of course, Paris is one of the most beautiful towns.” Early on, Aumont possessed an intrinsic ability to see differently than others and cites her inherent French upbringing as the source for creative inspiration. “It’s an innate quality that Parisians have,” she reveals. “They put together all of their family heirlooms, combined with modern pieces and memorabilia for a beautiful mix.”

After spending many years in California, Aumont yearned for a dream house in her beloved city of Paris; in 2005, she received her wish. The Parisian apartment is situated in le Rive Gauche in the classic Percier and Fontaine building with a view to die for: on one side, the Palais du Louvre and the other, le Jardin des Tuileries. The century-old building was completed during the reign of Napoleon III and was found, surprisingly, in impeccable condition when Aumont acquired it. The apartment housed many owners over the years, yet the exquisite touch of this interior designer gave it an awe-inspiring renovation, opening the doors for a new light to shine through. “It only takes a little faith to bestow something so cozy and so full of beauty,” Aumont exclaims.

The evolution of the Paris project is as miraculous as the final outcome. When Aumont stumbled across the residence, it belonged to an antique dealer. “I visited the apartment and it was very dark and gloomy,” she says. “But you could tell it had an incredible charm.” With faith, determination and a week long stay in the apartment, Aumont slowly discovered what she desired most: lighting and space. “I had to create the feeling of wandering around from corner to corner without it seeming like you’re walking around in less than 700 square feet,” hints Aumont. After many years of practice, Aumont has the design process down to an art. “I will sit in a room and come back at different hours of the day to see how the sun hits each wall,” she reveals. With this advice, Aumont believes that one should first “camp out” in the home to see how the lighting interacts with the space. From there, the inspirational phase continues by adding prized possessions and, for her, a lifetime collection of cherished antiquities.

With one glance around the jewel box-sized apartment, it’s obvious that the designer possesses a sharp eye, or sixth sense, for interior décor. Stepping into the space, the warm enclosure of le petit foyer is a welcoming entry. Before, the small entrance room encompassed seven doors, which Aumont immediately removed. “To walk into that vestibule with all the doors was very dark and obscure,” she says. For a tranquil ambiance, she installed a three-dimensional canopy from vintage canvas material and an 18th century Venetian Gondola lantern. Light seeps in from outside, illuminating the foyer and creating a majestic first impression for visitors.

The foyer opens up into the picturesque primary living space, where new and collected pieces combine, sprinkled with a touch of contemporary luxury. Aumont dressed the walls in Ralph Lauren rustic hues to create a calming, French domain. A floor to ceiling bookcase with a mirrored lining reflects the light from the balcony, catching the luminous city lights. Floor-length silk curtains in a romantic rose shade grace terrace-view windows and lay effortlessly on the wood floor. “The transparent draperies didn’t remove any of the light,” notes Aumont. “It just diffused it in many different colors, which helped tremendously.” The room contains a beautiful mixture of furnishings from Aumont’s Collection encompassing an array of all colors, shapes and sizes. The pièce de résistance, a 1870s Swedish chandelier, centrally hangs from the ceiling with a multitude of crystals and delicate blue candles. A fanciful zebra-print rug under a Jean-Pierre desk lies next to a 1930s daybed of silk and mohair cushion, while a Farnese mirror with silk embroideries hangs above an Empire chest of drawers and Chinese flower vase.

From room to room, Aumont’s personality is portrayed through a series of stylized vignettes, or as she calls them, “theatrical corners.” As one journeys through the 9 foot-tall Italian doors of the master bedroom, the eyes are delighted by ornate chest of drawers and intricate tabletop settings. The bedside table, a favorite of Aumont’s, appears slightly disheveled, yet strategically put together. The combination of the crimson-colored lampshade with a Buddha statue head atop the table creates a glowing attraction in the bedroom. Silk Frette linens with an assortment of warm-colored pillows cover the bed while a regal blue canopy hangs delicately overhead. Across the room a fine Italian chest of drawers, embroidered with wood carvings gilded in silver and white gold, rests between two Venetian chairs. A 1940s moderne painting sits directly above, surrounded by a small anthology of Aumont’s favorite artwork, one created especially by her son when he was 9 years old. The whimsical setting is layer upon layer of comforting classics: some old, some new, but all of them meaningful to her life.

By the end of the grand tour, visitors have fallen completely in love with the cozy, dramatic home. Close friend Patricia de Gramont describes Aumont’s style as “very eclectic and chic bohemian, but also cosmopolitan with discreet elegance.” She continues the traditional style of Parisian décor with a modern twist, somehow creating an atmosphere where all of her quirky objects coexist happily with one another. “The French buy a lot of things in markets,” Aumont declares. “Your home in France is something that you share with others.” By seeking items with artistic quality, the designer reveals that it is quite simple to create the house of one’s dreams. “Bring into your home only what you love, and then you will love being there,” she muses.

Aumont has garnered a well-deserved reputation for creating livable, luxurious spaces that evoke a confident and classic charm. Imperfection is key to her vision. “I think the idea should be that we are more free as artists and to be less tied to ‘design’,” she remarks. “Things are not perfect and we do not live in a perfect world, but the beauty of imperfection is for what we should aim.” For over a century, the Parisian apartment has stood still, housing many stories, lives and collectibles. Perhaps now more than ever, it finds its greatest expression with the help of Hélène Aumont. If only these walls could talk.

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