Peace and harmony

Softness and sanctuary reign in this dreamy French apartment, while modern touches keep it cutting edge

- Fleur Britten

Being a designer with the opportunity to create your own home is the dream project, says French interior architect Constance Laurand - she had no clients to persuade, she was brimming with knowledge and ideas and her "very nice' husband gave her carte blanche.

So, she says: "We made an apartment for us-we didn't design it for resale but for how we wanted to live." For example, as a family that loves hosting friends, Constance cleverly designed into the expansive library a 35sqm guest apartment, with a mezzanine bedroom at the top of aspiral staircase and a shower room beneath.