One of my favorite parts of “Living in Style Paris” was getting to see more of the work of legendary designer François Catroux. It was such a treat for me mostly because he doesn’t have a website with a portfolio for me to sate my visual cravings on a regular basis.

Even a google search does not return much…not much more than what I have already posted on the stylish man of internet mystery (do other bloggers experience that too? its very frustrating…)

I did come across this lovely home a while ago (can’t for the life of me remember where, so sorry there will be no credit unless someone out there can assist in that department)…and it quietly whispers Catroux style in abundance.

From what I have seen of his work, Catroux uses neutrals like a master and makes a “beige” room seem warm, rich and inviting. These are no exception. He’s also a virtuoso at mixing modern and vintage. The work of one of my faves Hervé van der Straeton seems to be also a favorite of Monsieur Catroux and his clients as I noticed a few of his pieces in this apartment.

I’m particularly enamoured with the walls of the study…

…so what does everyone else think?

I’ve had all things French on my mind for the past week. After posting about a Jean-Louis Deniot designed apartment in Paris filled with contemporary art it left me thinking of other amazing apartments filled with wonderful treasures, and lead me to a London townhouse decorated by another stellar Parisian, François Catroux. The owners – Prince Pavlos and Princess Marie Chantal of Greece (the former from the Miller family of Duty Free fame, whose family commissioned a Palladian style Villa in Hong Kong by NY based Fairfax & Sammons) – have a stunning collection of art which Catroux has worked his magic with. The Princess claims their home took 3 years of serious house-hunting to find, but I think it was worth the wait…

A Hervé van der Straeten chandelier hangs in the entrace above an English Regency mirror and a c. 1917 Viennese ebony & silver bench.

In the main living area antiques such as the Viennese ebony chair and a Regency mirror mix harmoniously with more contemporary pieces such as the Hervé van der Straeten designed lamp and cabinet, a Christian Liaigre side table, and custom pieces designed by Catroux. The Flowers painting above the fireplace is by US artist Donald Baechler.

A Jean-Michel Basquiat painting provides some colour in the otherwise neutral library. The custom sofa and chairs are by Catroux, the coffee table is from Christian Liaigre.

T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings designed dining chairs by Saridis around a Catroux designed dining table. A custom Claude Lalanne chandelier hangs above and a Hervé van der Straeten mirror sits above the fireplace.

All photos from House & Garden November 2006, photography by Robert Wyatt.