Tucked away in a classic Haussmann-style Parisian building in the 16th Arrondissement – a stone’s throw from the Arc de Triomphe – is a home that personifies its owner’s iconic French-girl flair. Fashion executive Barbara Boccara turned to Belgian architect Nicolas Schuybroek, whose vision for the classically framed flat was simple: rebalance through quiet luxury in the form of texture and materials. Luckily, he had the perfect muse for inspiration.
Known for her ability to translate casual French style into marketable looks for ba&sh – the brand she cofounded with her best friend Sharon Krief in 2003 – Boccara applied the same thoughtful precision to her home. “The architecture and the moldings were what drew me to this space – it’s so quintessentially French,” Boccara reflects. The apartment’s classical bones remain intact, but its reimagined interiors are a study in quiet luxury and thoughtful restraint. “I’m surrounded by color in my job, so my home needed to be quiet,” shares Boccara. “The palette is neutral, very natural, with warm materials like stone and wood.” In collaboration with Schuybroek, she sought to rebalance each room, subtly restructuring the layout to create a harmonious flow.
Throughout the apartment, Schuybroek introduced strong yet understated materials. The walls are finished in a cloud-white clay, and the muted tones create a serene atmosphere. The architecture provides the perfect frame, while the natural textures and neutral tones offer a soothing canvas. Every element of the design speaks to a careful balance of form and function, comfort and style. The flat’s expansive windows flood the rooms with natural light, enhancing the elegant proportions and classic detailing. “The light here is just beautiful,” she states. “It was such a passion project, and every decision was rooted in love for the space.”
But the one-year renovation was not without its challenges. “The kitchen was set in the back of the apartment originally,” Schuybroek explains, “and I knew it needed to come forward as the heart of the home and become the place we gather in. It’s now where I spend most of my time.” By moving it to a more central position, she ensured that the home’s flow was harmonious, welcoming family and guests alike into a space that feels both open and intimate. Her kitchen, with its sandblasted Chambolle sandstone countertops, is the color of rich soil, while the oak floors – wide-plank and brushed to a silty patina – echo the warmth and depth of a worn farmhouse ground.
In this passion project, Boccara’s journey from fashion to interior design is evident – her work with Schuybroek reflects the same disciplined minimalism she brings to her fashion collections. “It feels very clean, almost monastic in its simplicity, which gives it this serene quality that I wanted.” Together, they’ve united the past and present, artfully melding Haussmann architecture with modern design to create a refuge that offers both inspiration and solace.
Schuybroek ensured that each space sits at ease with everyday life in Paris, maintaining an effortless elegance that epitomizes the city itself. Whether it’s the restored ceilings or the thoughtful placement of each piece of furniture, the apartment feels like a lived-in piece of art, ready to adapt to the rhythms of Boccara’s life. As she navigates the world of fashion, Boccara finds comfort in her carefully curated home. “It’s a place where we gather, live and love,” she describes. “It’s always open, and that’s what makes it home.”
Photography by Sylvie Becquet.
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