I've Lived in Paris for Years—These Are the Chic Interior Items Everyone Owns

I’ve written mainly about how to replicate Parisian style for Who What Wear over the past couple of years, but interiors and sourcing unique finds for my home also form a large part of my work and interests. I’m an avid interior-design geek and often get asked for my tips, so much so that it’s one of the reasons I decided to write my book, Practising Parisienne (available for preorder now). It details everything I’ve learned since moving to Paris eight years ago and has a whole section dedicated to the subject. And it’s also why I started doing home tours with Parisian friends on my blog, Rue Rodier.
I’ve been interested in interiors, design and art for as long as I can remember, when I used to sketch out room plans as a child and decorate my own bedrooms in a range of crazy colours. But it wasn’t until I moved to Paris that I became more acutely aware of creating a home that reflects one’s personality and that tells a story. Along with other things, I developed my sense of interior style here. One, the buildings are so beautiful with their own historical and charming details—parquet flooring, fireplaces, mirrors, mouldings—and two, because the homes of many of my Parisian friends are so uniquely curated yet seemingly effortlessly put-together, with a mix of new and old and more design-led pieces, I developed a keen eye for what works.
Marissa Cox's home
I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a range of brands I love, from high-street to more design-led, so here is a list of pieces that are currently in my apartment or on my interiors wish list to help you create a beautiful, Parisian-inspired home that you won’t want to leave.
Next to fresh flowers, candles play an important role in my home. I light them to create a beautiful glow and ambience and to banish any strong cooking smells. They are also a crucial part of entertaining and help set a sultry scene for dining at home. I particularly love Ernesto by Trudon—the brand being another piece of Parisian heritage, as it’s France’s oldest candle brand.
I love everything Kermiche creates, her cheeky derrière vases especially, but they are a little ubiquitous now and have been sadly replicated many times over, so this quirky minimalistic candle holder has risen to the top of my list.
Entertaining and cooking for friends is another favourite pastime, and so I always keep my eye out for stylish items to create a beautiful tabletop. Green salads are essential to almost every Parisian meal, so pretty salad servers are a must-have. I recently ordered these from Parisian brand Sabre.
I’m a huge fan of French designer Charlotte Perriand, and this little tabouret (stool in French) would fit perfectly in my lounge alongside the Jeanneret chair, and it’s one of the best (and more affordable) items you can add to your living space to inject a piece of Parisian design history.
Next up, the biggest autumn 2021 fashion trends to know.

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