“It feels like you’re on a street in England”: This 16th-arrondissement mansion hides a secret garden right in the heart of Paris
In Paris’s 16th arrondissement, a 400 m² townhouse located on a private cul-de-sac tells a beautiful story of renewal. Xavier and Guilaine, whose seven children have left home, entrusted their new home to interior designer Santillane de Chanaleilles, who has infused it with a rare Parisian chic, blending white, textured materials, and caramel accents.
A townhouse designed for a new life together
After years living in a large family apartment, Xavier and Guilaine wanted a space all to themselves. Their plan was clear: two bedrooms, two offices, and spacious living areas. This townhouse, which they fell in love with at first sight, met every one of their expectations.
The house is spread over three levels. Santillane de Chanaleilles devoted nearly an entire level to workspaces, as the very active couple needed proper offices. The ground floor, meanwhile, is entirely dedicated to entertaining, since Xavier and Guilaine host many business dinners.
Right from the entrance, the architect aimed for a spectacular effect with a Panda White marble floor. This sets the tone even before you step into the first living room.
Workspaces at the Heart of the Project
Xavier’s office includes a small sitting area with a television that opens onto the terrace. This cozy corner becomes, in his words, the couple’s favorite spot when they’re alone. The office itself is adorned with “Ukiyo” panoramic wallpaper by Nobilis and softened by shades of bronze.
Each room thus has its own distinct character. Yet the whole remains cohesive thanks to a carefully selected palette of materials. Daniel Gallo’s brushed brass wall sconces lend a subtle warmth to these spaces.
“It had to be refined but not ostentatious.”
White, marble, and a caramelized biscuit shade as a unifying theme
To ensure maximum light in this bourgeois residence, Santillane de Chanaleilles worked with white in all its shades. She paired it with textured materials, featuring marble prominently. This tone-on-tone approach creates an atmosphere that is both soothing and sophisticated.
In the large reception room, the fireplace designed by Santillane Design is made of Calacatta Oro marble. The custom-made bookshelf, crafted from brushed Douglas fir with a white lacquer finish, runs along an entire wall. In addition, the “Haumea” and “Gong” coffee tables by Gallotti & Radice, available at Silvera, add graphic accents to the rugs by Sibylle de Tavernost.
The staircase, on the other hand, offers a surprise: Santillane wanted to add warmth with a caramelized biscuit shade. This appetizing detail warms up the vertical lines of the house and creates a connection between the levels.
- A Panda White marble floor right at the entrance creates an immediate, spectacular effect.
- A Calacatta Oro marble fireplace custom-designed by Santillane Design in the reception room.
- Oberflex chiseled bronze kitchen cabinet fronts, with a ceramic countertop featuring a Calacatta Oro marble finish.
- The dining room is highlighted by the “Brass 96” pendant light by Paola Navone for Gervasoni and table legs made of brushed brass.
- A staircase finished in a caramelized biscuit shade to warmly connect the floors.
A kitchen that blends transparency with bronze-colored reflections
To create the impression of an open kitchen, Santillane installed large glass doors. The chiseled bronze cabinet fronts by Oberflex reflect light with understated elegance. The “Meshmatics” pendant light by Moooi, available at A-VU, completes this contemporary look.
In the adjacent dining room, golden accents take center stage. The marble-topped table, designed by Santillane Design, rests on brushed brass legs. The chairs by Jim Thompson for Pierre Frey add a touch of textile elegance to this welcoming space.
A garden right in the heart of Paris and a room under the eaves
One of the most distinctive features of this townhouse is its garden, a rarity within the city limits of Paris. Designed by landscape architect Laurent Douvenou, it gives the impression, according to Xavier and Guilaine, of being on a charming English street lined with greenery. To fully enjoy the view from the living room, Santillane chose not to hang any curtains on the windows, which, in his words, are too beautiful to be hidden.
As a result, natural light flows unobstructed through the living areas. The small living room follows the same design philosophy: the XXL windows bring the garden into the room visually. The “California” sofa by Nobilis and the “Gropius CS1” armchair by Noom fit right in.
Yet it is the attic room that holds the real surprise of this renovated townhouse. The architect highlighted the exposed roof trusses, creating a striking contrast with the very urban spaces on the lower floors. Under their “Cape Cod” canopy bed by Flamant, Xavier and Guilaine now enjoy an unexpected sense of tranquility, with Pierre Frey’s “Maracas” wallpaper softly adorning the walls.
This room embodies the promise of the entire renovation: to offer a couple who have long lived for others a space designed entirely with them in mind. Through its ability to blend Parisian refinement with the warmth of a lived-in home, this private mansion in the 16th arrondissement stands as a model of French chic.
