We might not have saved money, renting a luxury apartment from Paris Perfect to shop the January sales, but we certainly followed our bliss. And bliss was the word for the jewel of a one bedroom we found in St Germain de Pres. We would have rented a hole in the wall to be by the Eglese Saint-Sulpice square. Catherine Deneuve’s apartment and the iconic writers’ hang Cafe du Marie were around the corner; our touchstones, Cafes Fleur and Deux Magaux, blocks away.
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The square by Eglise Saint Sulpice around the corner from our Tavel apartment, with a view of Catherine Deneuve’s Paris home. (Photo: Lee Fryd) |
It was thanks to Paris Perfect, the luxury apartment rental and concierge service founded by American-born Madelyn Byrne, which also has arms in London and Rome. With about 100 high end apartments situated mainly on Paris’ Left Bank, this boutique concierge rental service now also offers language and cooking classes and market tours. Unlike owner operated services, these apartments are personally designed, renovated or vetted by Byrne. We can personally vouch that the girls at Paris Perfect are always available to get someone over, if, ahem, you forget your entry code or how to work the microwave.
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Paris Perfect is under the umbrella company of Perfect Experiences. (Courtesy Photo) |
This management element also reassures owners they can let strangers into their expensive homes. The apartment we selected, listed as “Tavel,” had spared no expense in its two-year-old gut renovation. Owner Helen Lee told us she would never have listed it with anyone else.
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YSL and Christian Lacroix were just steps away. (Photo: Lee Fryd) |
Its marbled kitchen and bathroom, palette perfect muted gray and blue color scheme, new solid oak flooring from the Ardennes, French wall moldings and custom curtains and cabinets were clearly the work of a master designer. It was the late, famed English designer David Collins — Madonna’s pick for a Miami club and designer of such iconic spaces as the bar at Claridge’s and the Wolseley — and his partner, Christie’s Adam Sutton — an artist and designer — who had been co-owners with American real estate developers Helen Lee and her husband. Although the Lees bought Sutton out, it’s still his Paris Pied a Terre. And he still lovingly fusses over decor. The chandelier and lamps are from Collins’ London flat. Next, Helen told us, Sutton plans to bring in new art and replace the three year old couch. “He loves that apartment so much he wants to personalize it,” she said. “And he’s constantly adding to it. We didn’t even know there was a fireplace there (now marble), until we did the gut renovation.”
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The famed Cafe de la Mairie around the corner from “Tavel.” (Photo: Lee Fryd) |
Looking to preserve the apartment for their children, Helen said, “We only rent to a very select group of people. We don’t want it damaged, so we don’t put it on any other sites. Paris Perfect targets a very curated clientele and they do everything.”
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The apartment’s impressive look was clearly the work of a master designer. (Courtesy Photo) |
Paris Perfect is under the umbrella company of Perfect Experiences, which encompasses some 300 luxury properties in Paris, London and Italy.
For more information, visit www.parisperfect.com.
