Cherche-Midi 2

- in the 6th arrondissement

18th century oak shutters and a renaissance shell...

For many years, the owner of this apartment has scoured Flea Markets, antique fairs and brocantes throughout France for decorative and architectural elements. Many found a home in this apartment that he restored himself with the help of a team of skilled professionals: 18th century interior oak shutters and oeil de boeuf oval windows, and details such as doorknobs, hooks, latches, etc. The pièce de résistance is a large Renaissance shell carved from a single block of oak.

While working these authentic antique elements into the restoration, the owner's priority remained preserving and enhancing existing features of this original late 18th century apartment. Fortunately, the original windows with their unique crémone closing mechanisms were still intact. The owner meticulously stripped off centuries of paint to reveal the metal mechanism underneath and the solid oak window frames.

This same respect for history and attention to detail is apparent throughout this one bedroom apartment. In keeping with the 'Old World' feel of the apartment, modern day amenities are worked into the decor as harmoniously as the antique elements, hidden behind oak shutters, for instance. The sofa, too, pulls out from the woodwork to provide an additional bed for guests. The end result is a aesthetically pleasing, highly functional environment, reflecting France herself.

Midway between the place St. Germain-des-Près and the historic Bon Marché department store.

A tranquil haven in an exclusive part of the 6th arrondissement with a security entrance, this apartment is situated two flights up with no elevator. A first, cobblestone courtyard buffers the street sounds beyond, while garden courtyard behind, planted with trees, provides a cool retreat and view in summer and a touch of greenery in winter.

The Rue du Cherche-Midi, or "looking for the noon-time sun" street, was named as early as 1595 after a shoppe sign picturing a Greek astronomer with compass and quadrant that hung here. During fashion week it might more aptly be called "looking for the limelight", as fashionistas from around the globe converge to raid the shoes stores and the famous Poilâne bakery just a few doors down, whose traditional breads are made in wood burning ovens. Expect to wait in line for your bread at any time of year, but you'll be in good company – Catherine Deneuve buys hers here.

Taxis can be had within 30 yards of the building, and three major metro lines are a three minute walk away. One of these metro lines lies on a direct line to the Porte de Versailles exhibition hall, as does one of the many convenient buses nearby. Restaurants abound. Suffice to say it would be difficult not to find a good restaurant in the area. If you prefer to cook, a farmer's market provides fresh produce three times weekly one block down on the boulevard Raspail. Sundays draw the city's trendy crowd when the market turns "organic only".

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"... this time, I was going until 1 A.M., loading up my car with the following: 2 very large rectangular mirror frames, a lovely porcelain corner sink with its original faucet, an oak cabinet door, a small cheese cabinet door with its wooden grill, more carved marble mantle pieces, a large cast iron skillet, and bits and pieces of carved wood: from molding to cornices."

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