THE FRENCH CONNECTION

Interior designer Baptiste Bohu transitions effortlessly through different eras and styles, pausing everyonce for a pop of colour in his eclectic home

- PRAGNYA RAO

Baptiste Bohu in his home office which is marked by a bold black and white striped wall accentuated by a deep Shanghai red colour

The entrance passage has dramatic red velvet curtains, which reveal a gallery wall beyond

When this finance major turned interior designer moved into this apartment 7 years ago, he was drawn to its Haussmannian layout with a large corridor leading to the various rooms, beautiful Parisian details with chevron flooring, fireplaces and tall ceilings. Located in the heart of the former French concession, facing a beautiful French style garden, the apartment was in good shape with all its original features intact, which made the decision move in much easier. “It needed some renovation and decoration but overall I was thrilled to have found it. It is a large unit which is rare to find in old Shanghai buildings since they have all now been divided," explains Baptiste.

Originally a four bedroom apartment, he converted them to two large bedrooms and an office space for himself. Predominantly washed in white, it is punctuated with bold pops of colour. The entrance and the large corridor leading to the other rooms has been designed as a room on its own, and not just a passage. It tantalises you, "it's s my favourite part of the house. When you step inside, you are suddenly transported into old Europe while you were on a Chinese street just 5 minutes ago. I love the fact that you are transported in space and time," he laughs.