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November 8, 2015

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Souvenirs, antiques light up the apartment

WITH soothing light and an airy feel, Patrick D. Finet’s apartment comes alive in a truly relaxing way.

The 120-square-meter one-bedroom flat in Lujiazui is warm and welcoming, where Finet unwinds after a long, hard day.

The Parisian recently moved to Shanghai to start a new chapter in his life. The first step was to set up a living space that carried his personal touch. Though the home searching experience was a “nightmare” as he was pressured by the timeline, he finally found his “nest” with an amazing river view looking out to the Nanpu Bridge.

Even the apartment in the high-rises can be stiflingly bland with few interesting elements, but Finet made efforts to turn the rather plain space into an interior full of personality and charm. He brought over his collections from around the world and filled the spaces with a mixture of styles, periods and influences.

He has modern pieces next to antiques, Asian-influenced designs alongside Western-style furniture, and sleek surfaces with some natural textures.

The terrace overlooking the skyline that Finet fell in love with is dotted with verdant potted greens and flowers, creating glimpses of greenery that are visible from the living room.

“My interior style is to mix all the souvenirs and decor pieces I’ve amassed over the years from different countries, so it’s challenging to make them play together when the space is limited,” Finet said.

“For each functional room I want it to feel comfortable and peaceful, with a nice flow throughout the flat.” The room is fairly consistent in style, with accent pieces in each area echoing the ones in other rooms.

“I always like to have the base of the decor as simple as possible to allow the personal objects and antiques to stand out, otherwise it would look like the bazaar of Istanbul,” Finet said.

Finet has a real passion for antiques. He was born and grew up in Versailles. The family apartment was located between the entry of the palace and the gardens. “From a very young age I considered this place mine. I was going regularly into the palace where all the guards knew me and let me in at all times. I found it like a refuge. I remember the smell of the wax of the wooden floors, the forbidden rooms I could enter, the orgue of the royal chapel...” he said.

The home apartment is decorated with antiques “so it became a natural and permanent interest for art, history, and antiques. Some antiques I acquired when I was young and has followed me wherever I live.”

The wooden panels displayed on the wall in the bedroom were originally part of a chest from the 15th century. The chest was in the property his family had in Annecy and when the property went up for sale, Finet kept the three panels from the chest.

“I love the patina and admire them as they are five centuries old,” Finet said.

After arriving in Shanghai, the passion of looking for antiques continued. “With the great LV city guide, I navigate in the city’s different warehouses, shops and street markets and found pieces that touch me when I see the exotic side of furniture and objects.”

Wherever he is in the world, Finet looks for antiques. “They are reminders; they feed my memories.”

Aside from the big collection of antiques displayed in the living room and bedroom, art is abundant, from the classic to the contemporary.

Finet’s favorite is the painting a friend did for him. “It looks like a field of flowers, or a silk deigned by Christian Dior. It is vibrant,” he said. Another highlight is the big Ava Gardner’s photograph Finet carries with him all around the world. “She is the most beautiful woman in the world and keeps me dreaming.”

Next to the dining table is a painting of Finet’s grandma’s home done by Edmond Charles Kayser. The artist loved Cote d’Azur, Cassis, Bandol, Sanary and Saint Tropez, where Finet’s grandma had a house.

“I have no idea of how they knew each other. My grandma offered me this painting as she knew I loved it and it is still with me of course, it reminds me Cezanne.”

With a 30-year experience in luxury hospitality business, Finet also loves to make artsy clay and bronze sculptures and remembers the time spent as an expat in the Caribbean and Mauritius Island. He started very early to make figurines of animals in clay. They are placed all over the flat.

Ask The Owner

Q: What’s the best thing about living in Shanghai?

A: Living in such an energetic city means endless exhibitions, museums, events all year round. And there is a lot of authenticity and friendly people.

 

Q: Describe your home in three word.

A: Warm, welcoming, easy.

 

Q: What’s the first thing you do when you get home?

A: Shower and look at the river view.

 

Q: How do you unwind?

A: I listen to music and read a lot.

 

Q: How do you spend most of the time at home?

A: Watering my garden, exercising, reading, relaxing.

 

Q: What’s the best view outside your window?

A: From my window I have a fantastic view of the river and the permanent circulation of the barges — it is a living picture.

 

Q: How do you scent your home?

A: I scent my home with candles exclusively from Trudon brand from Paris, just the best.

 

Q: Where do you source furniture in Shanghai?

A: I have many places to find nice pieces, including street markets. There are still opportunities to find good stuff there.




 

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