Charming Airbnbs in Eastern France
Choosing accommodation for a holiday can be an expensive and daunting task, especially if you are a lover of beautiful spaces on a budget. I am currently in Eastern France and thought it an opportune time to share what I enjoy as an interior designer when travelling abroad.
The first two posts feature our first two apartments where the proud owners, put their heart and soul into creating a unique French experience for their guests.
Location
Firstly location, location, location – especially if you are travelling via public transport.
Quality Finishes & Materials with a curated colour palette
Then it is all about the finishes, fabrics, textures and materials that creates a harmonious experience through a curated colour palette. This provides a sense of calm and security within your temporary home. Having daily services like laundry and cooking facilities at your fingertips enables you to live like a local.
Le Classique champenois (1er étage) Reims
Our first destination outside of Paris was the historic town of Reims.
Our apartment on the first floor – to avoid heating luggage up well renown French spiral staircases was a must! Then the matter of no more than a quick walk from the station
Next a space that makes you feel like a local is essential. Carols Le Classique Champenois was on the first floor with immediate access from the street. Safe secure and easy to access.
The stairwell is wide and well lit adorned with contemporary art Deco inspired wallpaper unique to each apartment with signage and custom lighting to greet you on arrival.
Le Classique Champenois was styled and designed by Carols daughter Aurelia who runs a French interior styling business, Aurelia Florin Decoration Interieure
A classic colour palette of complementary sage green & blush pink is offset with complementary finishes in rose gold metal and fresh white painted timber.
What was interesting from a styling perspective were economic yet creative devices to provide a local French homely feel to the space, ceiling plaster rosettes fixed to the white wall created a subtle focal point. A section of patterned waterproof floral shower curtain is framed behind a panel of clear class in the bathroom with a Parisian framed oval mirror to create a functional and homely powder room feel.
The large sunlit space is just opposite the kitchen, complete with coffee machine, oven, cooktop and dishwasher and boasts a dining table for four people. There is also clothes washing machines and before and after check in luggage storage available on request.
The main bedroom, accessed via the walk-through bathroom was expansive in size with ample hanging wardrobe and chest of drawers and a four-poster bed.
Painted Alcove
The use of French Navy matt finish paint to create an alcove feature wall provided an optical illusion of depth and drama in the master bedroom.
Attention to detail was the key to making a traveller feel like a local . A unique styling technique was used to create a painted alcove – Aurealia brought the French navy paint beyond the rear wall and about 30cm into the space so that the bedhead is encased in a deep moody alcove.
This was also duplicated in the fireplace to create consistency in the colour palette. A matt paint finish was essential in creating the visual depth of the bedhead area as no light was reflected on the classic French navy alcove.
Full length cupboards and chest of drawers enables guests to nest right into the space and the large double windows opened above a lower furnished courtyard.
In Reims we wandered along the river bank and dined just on the rim of the city centre. We took a hire car for the day – Hertz was walking distance from the apartment to Gerard Bouveys private Champagne Maison for a winemakers tour… all in a day trip from Le Classique Champenois.
