Inside This White Parisian-Style Parlor

Here’s how we transformed this New York parlor into a calm, Parisian-inspired living space.

Defining Our Goals For This Space

We set out to create a calm, and inviting environment that could function both as a welcoming space for guests and a quiet place to unwind. The direction was intentionally minimal to keep the room feeling serene, balanced, and visually uncluttered.

Letting the Architecture Inform Our Design Style

The room’s existing architecture set the aesthetic direction: tall windows, classical cornices, and a marble fireplace already carried a distinct Parisian feel. Because of that, it made sense to lean into a Parisian-inspired aesthetic rather than impose a less complementary style.

Gathering Inspiration

Before locking in any specific design choices, we gathered reference images to get clear on the overall mood. These Parisian-inspired interiors all shared a similar feeling — soft, minimal, and quietly elegant — and helped us understand the direction we wanted this room to lean toward.

Defining Key Elements For the Look

As we reviewed the inspiration images, clear patterns started to emerge. These recurring elements gave us a framework for the aesthetic — helping us understand what defined the mood and what needed to carry through into the final design.

1. All-neutral, ultra-light palette

   Each room relies on soft whites, warm beiges, and muted creams. This creates a serene, airy foundation that allows the architectural details and sculptural furniture to stand out without visual noise.

   
   

2. Repetition of curved silhouettes

   Curved sofas, rounded armchairs, circular coffee tables, and orb-like light fixtures appear consistently across the spaces. This repetition builds cohesion and introduces a subtle sense of movement.

   
   

3. Contemporary furniture against historic architecture

   The contrast is a defining feature: clean, minimal, contemporary pieces set within rooms that have classical elements like ornate moldings, tall windows, and traditional fireplaces. This tension creates the “quiet luxury, Parisian-modern” mood.

   
   

4. Understated, tonal layering

   The styling stays intentionally minimal. Differences in texture — velvet, boucle, stone, wool — add depth without relying on color. Even the décor pieces are subtle and sculptural rather than decorative or busy.

   
   

5. Statement lighting with a sculptural presence

   Chandeliers become focal points — they’re large, modern, and shaped like glass orbs or contemporary metal forms. They anchor the room and echo the curved furniture.

   
   

6. Use of natural materials in refined finishes

   Wood floors, stone fireplaces, wool rugs, marble tables — everything is natural but presented in a polished, elevated way. This keeps the rooms warm but still sophisticated.

   
   

The Final Design

The final design blends Parisian elegance with modern softness, using creamy tones and sculptural forms to create a warm, refined living space.

About Aetura Studio

Aetura Studio is a virtual interior design studio specializing in European-inspired, heritage-rich interiors with a modern editorial touch. Based in San Francisco and serving clients nationwide, we help homeowners create spaces that feel layered, elegant, and deeply personal.

If you’re ready to bring a timeless, European-inspired look to your home, we’d love to help you get started.