A legend in the world of design, Jacques Garcia is perhaps best known for his contemporary interiors. So today I bring another masterpiece of his, but a much more historically-oriented one: his Paris residence as it was in the late 1980s following an extensive rehabilitation of the historic structure.

Located at 28 Rue des Tournelles, Hôtel de Sagonne was designed by Jules Hardouin Mansart (1645-1708), chief architect to Louis XIV, when he was just 28 years old. The mansion's construction commenced in 1674 but didn't complete until 1685 as Mansart was simultaneously working on other masterpieces including the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. When Jacques Garcia took hold of the property he performed extensive restorations to uncover the original ceilings and reinstate the boiseries and floorboards in a way that did justice to the original.

There are so many things I love about this space, beyond just the exquisite French antiques, many of which were royal pieces dispersed during the French revolution.

This former office of Mansart is intimate but also incredibly elegant with its original boiseries. The lit d'alcove looks like such a nice spot to do some reading, sheltered by the curtains and a warm space full of books.

The kitchen also serves as a dining room and features the original Delft tiles. This space is such a refreshing counterpoint to the enormous industrial kitchens so in vogue today, where everything looks as if it belongs in a car manufacturing plant. No enormous island. No stainless steel appliances. I'm really not sure where the refrigerator and range live and I rather like it that way.

Images from Private Paris by Marie-France Boyer.