Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this Open House feature: Born in Paris and now based in New York, interior designer Guillaume Coutheillas (founder of frenchCALIFORNIA) approached this full floor Midtown apartment with a clear point of view: “Saint Germain meets Park Avenue.” The result is a home that pairs the intimacy of a Parisian apartment with the openness and scale of luxury living in Manhattan.
The apartment tour begins the moment the elevator doors open. Rather than creating a traditional foyer, Guillaume transformed the private entry into a gallery space designed to slow the pace of arrival. A commissioned mirrored artwork by a European artist reflects light through the space while introducing the apartment’s sculptural atmosphere. Framed by NYC views, the entry was imagined as a Parisian gallery in the sky.
Beyond the gallery, the main living space stretches across a large open entertaining area with a living room, dining room, and kitchen wrapped in walls of windows. Guillaume designed the living room to comfortably host a crowd without losing a sense of ease for everyday living. A curved-off white sofa softens the architecture in the space and keeps the skyline uninterrupted, while swivel chairs near the windows allow the views to remain part of the entire experience no matter where someone is sitting.
To counterbalance the amount of glass and daylight throughout the apartment, Guillaume layered in warm tonal materials and subtle texture. He collaborated with Color Atelier Brooklyn Bay Studio on a custom off white lime wash that gives the walls a soft depth as natural light moves through the rooms. An organic pendant by a Greek designer hangs above the living space, and notably, there is no television. (The room was designed around spending time with people rather than facing a screen.) Meanwhile, in the dining room, a large rug establishes a sense of separation from the living area while a dark wood dining table brings contrast and weight to the otherwise light palette. The table was selected to comfortably seat ten to twelve guests beneath a sculptural fixture by Michael Anastassiades that Guillaume also chose for his own home.
And that's not all! The apartment also includes a guest suite, dedicated office, and expansive primary wing. Right outside the bedroom, Guillaume decided to install a small vignette to create visual interest and quieter transition into the private spaces of the home. Then, the primary suite is as inviting as the rest of this lovely abode with generous proportions, a bed positioned directly toward the skyline, and an oversized upholstered headboard adding a soft touch against the surrounding glass and architecture. The neutral palette continues here but with a calmer touch.
Overall, throughout the apartment, Guillaume balances sculptural forms, muted materials, and expansive views without allowing any single element to overpower the others, thus creating a home that feels luxurious yet relaxing.
Subscribe to Open House TV on YOUTUBE: bit.ly/openhouseyoutubesub
Open House TV INSTAGRAM: bit.ly/2T0aorL
Open House TV TWITTER: bit.ly/2szkqEX
Open House TV FACEBOOK: bit.ly/2TXSztC
In this Open House feature: Born in Paris and now based in New York, interior designer Guillaume Coutheillas (founder of frenchCALIFORNIA) approached this full floor Midtown apartment with a clear point of view: “Saint Germain meets Park Avenue.” The result is a home that pairs the intimacy of a Parisian apartment with the openness and scale of luxury living in Manhattan.
The apartment tour begins the moment the elevator doors open. Rather than creating a traditional foyer, Guillaume transformed the private entry into a gallery space designed to slow the pace of arrival. A commissioned mirrored artwork by a European artist reflects light through the space while introducing the apartment’s sculptural atmosphere. Framed by NYC views, the entry was imagined as a Parisian gallery in the sky.
Beyond the gallery, the main living space stretches across a large open entertaining area with a living room, dining room, and kitchen wrapped in walls of windows. Guillaume designed the living room to comfortably host a crowd without losing a sense of ease for everyday living. A curved-off white sofa softens the architecture in the space and keeps the skyline uninterrupted, while swivel chairs near the windows allow the views to remain part of the entire experience no matter where someone is sitting.
To counterbalance the amount of glass and daylight throughout the apartment, Guillaume layered in warm tonal materials and subtle texture. He collaborated with Color Atelier Brooklyn Bay Studio on a custom off white lime wash that gives the walls a soft depth as natural light moves through the rooms. An organic pendant by a Greek designer hangs above the living space, and notably, there is no television. (The room was designed around spending time with people rather than facing a screen.) Meanwhile, in the dining room, a large rug establishes a sense of separation from the living area while a dark wood dining table brings contrast and weight to the otherwise light palette. The table was selected to comfortably seat ten to twelve guests beneath a sculptural fixture by Michael Anastassiades that Guillaume also chose for his own home.
And that's not all! The apartment also includes a guest suite, dedicated office, and expansive primary wing. Right outside the bedroom, Guillaume decided to install a small vignette to create visual interest and quieter transition into the private spaces of the home. Then, the primary suite is as inviting as the rest of this lovely abode with generous proportions, a bed positioned directly toward the skyline, and an oversized upholstered headboard adding a soft touch against the surrounding glass and architecture. The neutral palette continues here but with a calmer touch.
Overall, throughout the apartment, Guillaume balances sculptural forms, muted materials, and expansive views without allowing any single element to overpower the others, thus creating a home that feels luxurious yet relaxing.
Subscribe to Open House TV on YOUTUBE: bit.ly/openhouseyoutubesub
Open House TV INSTAGRAM: bit.ly/2T0aorL
Open House TV TWITTER: bit.ly/2szkqEX
Open House TV FACEBOOK: bit.ly/2TXSztC
