CURATED FINESSE

Interior designer Emma Donnersberg transforms her historical Haussmann apartment into a modern haven in which art and organic forms converge

- Celeste Goh

Haussmannian architecture shapes much of Paris’ built environment, with around 60 per cent of its buildings reflecting this style. Developed during Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann’s urban renewal project, which took place between 1853 and 1870, its uniform facades, wrought-iron balconies and wide boulevards remain integral to the city’s identity. Over 150 years later, these buildings are still highly sought after for their solid construction, high ceilings, and elegant proportion.

Just a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides in the 7th arrondissement, a historical Haussmannian apartment that was once home to Françoise Giroud—a renowned journalist, politician and advocate for women’s rights—is today the residence and creative workspace of Paris-born interior designer Emma Donnersberg.

A SENSE OF EASE

Spanning almost 1,940 sq ft, the original layout was compartmentalised, restricting both movement and natural light. Donnersberg redesigned the floorplan to create a more spacious living and entertaining space; striking the right balance between preserving the essence of its architectural history, while introducing a more contemporary aesthetic that feels fresh and relevant.

“The apartment’s Haussmannian architecture provided the perfect canvas for me to create a space that is both refined and deeply personal—an environment where visually striking art, texture and natural light interact in a fluid, harmonious way,” she says.