In this new Paris interior designer interview, we speak to a professional about what it’s like to work in the French capital.
A good interior designer can not only maximize the personal space in your apartment and make it more enjoyable to live in. If done correctly, it can add significant value to your property too.
Meet Anna Duval, a Paris interior designer
Anna Duval is a Paris-based interior decorator and designer, with over 10 years of experience in creating turnkey projects in the capital.
Anna designs timeless and elegant interiors, with a character tailored to each client. Her work uses sophisticated colors, classic shapes, and exquisite accessories. She gives preference to natural materials, which make the interiors look and feel ‘alive.’
Anna’s work has been featured in magazines such as Elle Décoration, Marie Claire Maison, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, and others.
We caught up with her to chat about her career working on exceptional Parisian properties.
Living in Paris was a dream
56Paris: What brought you to work in Paris as an interior designer?
Anna Duval: I was born in Russia, and in my twenties moved to Canada, before moving again to Paris in 2014 because of the career of my ex-husband. But even before that, living in Paris was one of my dreams, so I think I would’ve ended up living here anyway.
56Paris: How did you get into this line of work?
Anna Duval: I have an MA in economics and started a career in finance with a multinational company. But I soon realized that what I was doing was not inspiring to me, and completely reconsidered my work path. So, I went to a school of interior design, started my new career, and have never looked back.
56Paris: Is working in Paris different from other cities?
Anna Duval: I previously worked in Moscow, Vancouver, Toronto, and now in Paris as an independent interior designer, preparing and implementing my projects ‘from A to Z’.
I feel there are many differences, both in terms of products and clients. In Moscow, it was a challenge to find good stores and manufacturers. Mostly, we imported furniture and decorative objects from Europe. And in Canada the choice of stores and products was wider, but not as interesting as in France.
But here in France, we have a huge choice of both new and antique pieces. You can create something amazing, even with a smaller budget.
France and Russia also use the metric system, but in Canada, even though it’s officially meant to be metric, people mostly use the imperial system. So, after moving to Paris, I was happy that I no longer needed to convert meters and centimeters to inches and feet!
The unique challenges of Paris
56Paris: What are the biggest challenges Paris had in store for you?
Anna Duval: When I first moved here, I didn’t speak French at all, which made my work pretty complicated. So I had to learn French before I could start feeling comfortable, both in my work and my daily life.
In French there is a very particular way to express your statements in a polite way – whether it’s an agreement, disagreement, or a request. It’s important to know the correct phrases, as well as the customs and the psychology of the local people. And that takes time.
56Paris: How has Paris real estate changed over the past 10 years?
Anna Duval: Paris real estate prices have risen, but this is obvious when you realize that here there is a limited supply. Paris is so historic and a real treasure, there’s almost no new construction here. That’s why these apartments attract not just local people, but buyers from all over the world.
56Paris: How many projects have you worked on here in Paris?
Anna Duval: I have designed the interiors of over 20 properties in Paris, and provided consultations on many more. Some clients want a complete design plan and for me to take care of its implementation. Whereas other clients contact me just for a few consultations, where I provide general guidance. This can be planning the space, choosing the main furniture and paint colors, while they manage everything else by themselves.
Anna’s favorite parts of the city
56Paris: What do you like most about Parisian architecture?
Anna Duval: The architecture here is extremely refined, subtle, elaborate, and elegant all at the same time. It is lacy, airy, and poetic. It has buildings from different époques, yet they connect with each other, forming an impeccable balance and harmony. To me, Parisian architecture is a benchmark to learn from.
56Paris: Which neighborhood do you live in and what made you decide to live there?
Anna Duval: I live in the 2nd, close to rue Montorgeuil. It’s very central, with major attractions and other central arrondissements within walking distance. I walk a lot and love discovering Paris on foot. I frequently join guided walking tours, visit museums, go to flea markets, and just enjoy being in the very heart of Paris.
Also, I like that it is a rather young area here, which makes it dynamic and lively. There are many trendy coffee shops, bio stores, design boutiques, as well as old and elegant restaurants, and typical Parisian bistros. I frequently hear foreign speech on the streets, which I love.
56Paris: If you could live in a different neighborhood, which one would it be?
Anna Duval: I would choose le Marais, particularly, metro Saint-Paul. It’s an area that I walk around often. It’s in the center of the city, you feel as if you were in a little village, and I love that. I also like the history there. When I am looking at all those hôtels particuliers (private mansions) I imagine the times when the aristocracy lived there. There are different historical and cultural layers, explained by the fact that it is one of the oldest parts of the city.
56Paris: What would you miss the most about Paris if you were to move away?
Anna Duval: The pleasure for the eye. In this city you are always looking at something beautiful and learning from it. Also the street jazz musicians. Very often, when you don’t expect it, you walk into an amazing live concert right on the streets of Paris.
Advice for living in Paris
56Paris: Is there a hidden treasure or resource that you find indispensable to your work here?
I visit rue du Mail for the best European fabrics and wallpapers. I love the flea markets on Place des Voges, rue de Bretagne, and around place de la Bastille, which normally happen between May and September. There is also an event called Foire de Chatou, which happens twice per year. It’s a paradise for those who love antique pieces.
Other resources I use often are Moissonnier, a manufacturer who specializes in classical French furniture, sometimes with a fun and modern twist. Also Objet de Curiosite, which is an amazing source for authentic decorative objects and conversation pieces. Finally Tillier Décoration, who sell beautiful hand-made lamp shades decorated with the images of classical paintings and gravures.
56Paris: What advice would you give to a first-time buyer in Paris?
Anna Duval: Paris is very different, a city of contrasts, even though its territory is not as big as other cities. The Paris of the 16th arrondissement has a completely different feel than the one of the 4th or the 18th arrondissement for example.
Try to find your own Paris, the one that best corresponds to your personality.
Speak to the 56Paris team
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