WITH inspiring city views, a simple white palette and modern design pieces dotted throughout, Stephanie and Jacques Sebban's Shanghai home is all about sophisticated yet relaxed living.

French interior decorator Stephanie approached the interior styling with an eye for the beautiful and unusual. She seems born with a talent to see beauty in the unusual and visualize things other people might overlook.

The 200-square-meter space's all-white interior is a perfect background to highlight the couple's collection of design and art. Furnishings are kept neutral, in shades of white, grey, beige and brown.

The couple, along with son Mikhael and daughter Hannah, have lived in this apartment in Gascogne Apartments on Huaihai Road M. for four years. After having visited almost 50 apartments, Stephanie decided to move into their current place because of "a French connection."

Built in 1935, the 13-floor Gascogne Apartments were fashioned by a famous French designer of the time. "It's typical Art Deco architecture, evoking the character of old Shanghai. I especially like the big windows, the terrace and the typical French-style layout which allows maximum interior space and air circulation,'' she said.

"I feel like I am living in the middle of New York or Paris. And my French Art Deco cabinets, the same age of the building, fit perfectly into this space.''

Sensitive to the apartment's particular atmosphere, the first thing Stephanie did on moving in was to remove the landlord's existing furniture and paint the interior white to make it lighter.

Having lived only in France before, Stephanie needed to feel as much at home in Shanghai as she had in Paris. Much of the furniture, lights, accessories and pictures come from a collection pieced together over the years.

"I need to have my furniture with me, so we brought everything here. We've been together for 16 years, so we've accumulated furniture and design pieces step by step,'' Stephanie said, pointing to a Pipistrello lamp in the living room, which was their first purchase.

"I love a mixed style, combining old and new and different atmospheres. I don't like too much color - I prefer white as it's clean, serene and relaxing,'' she said.

The apartment style is modern with clean lines so it is surprising to learn that Stephanie grew up in Toulouse in a home filled with French antiques.

"My mom was an antique dealer," she explained. "But when I studied architecture, it opened my mind and I found my own style. However, I cannot forget the past. I love to place antique pieces, such as the Art Deco cabinets and chairs in the dining room.''

In addition to family heirlooms, Stephanie has brought her fondness for modern classic designs. And whether it's the classic Eames chair or the Pipistrello lamp, she says she needs to have an understanding of the stories behind those designs.

The living and dining room is a beautiful light and airy space and the seating area is relaxed yet functional, ideal for socializing. Cushions with unique linen and cotton covers lend a touch of warmth and cheer to the relatively subtle vibe.

A tour of this apartment reveals effortless elegance and calm colors. Each room has its own theme and color, yet all share a common characteristic: beautiful custom-made cushions, bedding or throws.

This passion for soft furnishings and lifestyle goods led Stephanie to open a boutique recently on Fuxing Road W. Her shop, Les Petites Collections, stocks a wide range of decor and lifestyle goods by her favorite Paris-based designers. Home decor items are tasteful and quirky with some using bold prints and bright colors.

Ask the owner

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

A: I like that you can get things done here.



Q: Describe your home in three words.

A: Light. Warm. Comfortable.



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

A: I forget about work and am available for my children.



Q: How do you unwind?

A: With good music and a good magazine.

Q: Where do you spend most of your time at home?

A: In my room. It's where I work, read and play with my kids.



Q: What's the best view from your home?

A: In my son's room we have a beautiful view of the Oriental Pearl Tower.

Q: How do you scent your home?

A: I like Diptyque candles, so when I go home to France I stock up on them. The latest variety that I bought is figuier - fig tree - scented which has the most beautiful fragrance.



Q: What's your favorite object at home?

A: It's definitively my Pipistrello lamp designed by Gae Aulenti.



Q: Where do you source furniture in Shanghai?

A: When I make a design I give my drawing to Jennifer in J4kids shop (444 Hami Rd). She understands pretty much everything I want and can usually do what I require. She also helps with modern furniture for my home. In my shop you can also find some small pieces from J4kids.


The Designer

Who is he?

David Stavros joined B+H Architects in 1999 and has more than 25 years of experience in the field. He was appointed principal in 2005 and executive vice-president Asia and senior design principal in 2010. Stavros specializes in conceptual design and design development for large-and-small-scale healthcare, airports, institutional, educational, commercial, residential and mixed-use developments. Stavros has been involved with B+H projects all over the world and seen China transform in the last decade.

Tell us about some of your work, and name the project you are most proud of.

One projects that has stuck in my mind in Shanghai is the Top of City residential project completed in 2002 on Weihai Road. It was the first one we convinced the client not to have individual air conditioning units outside and it was one of the first residential projects in Shanghai, I believe, to have glass curtain walls. It perfectly explores a seamless integration between master planning, architecture and landscaping. The artificial lake inside is a wonderful park full of beautiful trees.

Are you currently involved in any project?

We are involved with the Top of City new residential project in Xujiahui, which is under construction. That one has very fluid forms and shapes. The master plan has a lot of water, sort of fish ponds, and is more picturesque than most residential compounds in the city. Also consuming a lot of my time are two hospital projects in Singapore and Malaysia.

Describe your design style.

To me architecture is not about style; it should be timeless. Compelling architecture is culturally sensitive, accommodating human habits and needs and placing new materials and technologies. I don't like to say I have a style but my work is rooted in the modernist tradition.

Is there any architect you look up to?

There are many, from Le Corbusier, Mies Van Der Rohe, Mario Botta, Rafael Moneo, Alvaro Siza, Rem Koolhaas, to Frank Gehry. Zaha Hadid had done some interesting works. I admire Frank Gehry because he never stopped exploring.

What do you collect?

I'm a Greek and my mother is Lebanese so I grew up in a multi-cultural house. When I was living in Greece I was very much attracted to pottery. Later on I also discovered Middle Eastern textiles, rugs, kilims, and in China, I got interested in old traditional garments and screens.

What does your home mean to you?

If I'm surrounded by my books, my treasures, family and friends, that's where I feel like home. I have two houses in Canada, one in city and another in the countryside.

Where do you most like to go in Shanghai?

Before, I liked to go to Taikang Road and Suzhou Creek but these areas are all getting commercial. I used to walk in the old lanes and see people socializing outside, an old way of living. But unfortunately a lot of city textures are gone. Currently, I love the rooftop terrace at Waterhouse, Park Hyatt, and Paradise Kennel in Songjiang District.

What will be the next big design trend?

Sustainability. From my observations, China is way ahead in terms of recycling than the Westerns.