Inexplicably cool, je ne sais quois, très chic—whatever you call it, Parisian style has it. But don’t let that fool you into thinking the mother of all styles can’t be mastered. According to Chairish seller Stacey Serro of the New Orleans-based Paris Finds (shop their epic Chairish container sale here), getting in touch with your inner French decorator isn’t as tricky as you’d think. In fact, Serro, who makes yearly shopping trips to the Paris puces (i.e. fleas), says it’s really all about curating an “eclectic mix,” with a few key French elements thrown in for good measure. To learn more about those elements (and where to get ’em), we asked Serro to give us the scoop. Here, she shares her best tips for shopping the Paris puces, including the keystone pieces you’ll need for nailing French cool-girl style.
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Getting the Parisian Look
1. Stick to a Neutral Palette
Parisians use color very selectively, so when it comes to nailing a Parisian palette, Stacey recommends limiting yourself to primarily neutral colors like whites, grays, and black, but being adventurous when it comes to the exact tones you select. “You’ll notice that historic Parisian pieces have pastel colors that somehow, although soft, read really brilliantly,” she says.
2. Run the Gamut with Texture
If you’re adopting a Parisian aesthetic, “Don’t be afraid to combine textures and materials,” Stacey says. “Even the most delicate materials will mix with the most durable—think linen, iron, velvet, natural woods, crystal, bronze, silk, and marble.”
3. Bid Adieu to “The Rules”
When asked if Parisians adhere to strict design rules, Stacey says “Not at all! Modern day French interiors hold an eclectic mix, always containing a few pieces with soul—i.e. ones that hold great stories. In French interiors, you’ll see everything from the most ornate pieces to the most simplistic. Everything is fair game!”
4. Mix it Up
If the above tip is any indication, Parisians don’t take their design too seriously—a notion that extends to mixing and matching French furniture from different design eras. “Period pieces can definitely be mixed with the more modern ones,” Stacey says. “Success is achieved by balancing scale, as well as mixing intricate and simple pieces.”
5. If You Buy Just One Item…
“In Paris, an ornate trumeau is a must-have,” Stacey says. “A trumeau is often more affordable than a comparable sized piece of artwork and can have an equal if not stronger impact on a space.”
Stacey’s Tips for Shopping the Puces
1. Have A Must-Visit List
“Clignancourt Flea Market is our main source,” says Stacey, when asked about her favorite fleas, but adds that the Clignancourt has several sub-markets, so it’s best to plan which of those you’d most like to pop into as well. When we asked Stacey for recommendations, she revealed Paul Bert & Serpette as a favorite, as well as Dauphine and Vernaison.
2. And…ALWAYS Have a Plan B
In the event your trip doesn’t align with the Clignancourt flea or you encounter inclement weather, it’s wise to have a few alternative antiquing options in reserve. “On days that the Puces are closed, we love to find specialty shops in Marais or Montmartre that have items made by French artisans,” says Stacey. “We also scour all of the local stores for fabrics, leathers, and trims.”
3. Be Open
Being a professional antiques vendor, Stacey has fallen for plenty of pieces at the puces that feel out of sync with contemporary living. Her advice? If you love something, but don’t know how to use it, consider if it can be reinvented. “For instance, on this recent trip we found several raw oak cases that once serviced a tailor,” Stacey says. “They actually transition into modern interiors perfectly as kitchen islands.”
4. Embrace Wear
It’s easy to dismiss something with tarnish, rust, or ripped upholstery, but as Stacey notes, most wear can easily be remedied or (at the very least) embraced. “The more soul to a piece, the better!” she says. “A little love and anything can be brought back to life to something beautiful.”
5. A Few Helpful Phrases…
You don’t have to take a crash course in French to make do at the puces. According to Stacey, you can get by just fine with a few basic phrases like La prixe? (the price?), L’age? (the age?) L’origine? (the origin?). “Most vendors know a little bit of English,” she adds. “If not, hand gestures always work and can make it fun. And if all else fails, Google Translate!”
