Two years ago, Merci found the perfect setting to bring to life its vision of everyday lifestyle. It was captured in the Pied-à-terre, a typical Parisian flat entirely refurbished to reflect the store’s style, spirit and values.

This year, Merci is revisiting the experience with the Second Residence, set to debut in October, which will once again bear witness to the brand’s expertise.
Since its inception in 2009, Merci has been a champion of a distinctive lifestyle advocating eclecticism and a melange of influences — pairing antiques with contemporary designs, mixing two antagonistic aesthetics, combining a mass-produced object with artisanal pieces...

These are just some of the possibilities manifesting this singular vision.

Just a stone’s throw from the Île Saint-Louis and the Institut du Monde Arabe, on the second floor of a late 18th-century Neoclassical townhouse, Merci took possession of a 120-sqm flat overlooking the Seine and the crowns of plane trees belows.

An abode filled with history that Merci has upgraded to suit contemporary tastes. In charge of interior design was Jules Mesny-Deschamps, the project’s architect, who chose to apply to the space a modern approach informed by current living trends. In an effort to unite existing heritage and living heritage, Jules Mesny-Deschamps resolved to match the distinctive charm of this home with a contemporary vision of its occupation. Among his creative choices came the decision to entirely redefine the layout of the space to accommodate contemporary living.

Epitomising the project’s warm and casual soul, the front door opens directly onto the kitchen: a new way of living and entertaining no longer governed by etiquette, in a deliberate break from the traditional kitchen entrance for the help.

After a meticulous review of everything that could be preserved, restored and enhanced, Merci removed all of the decayed fittings and mismatched remnants of previous renovations.

The Second Residence exemplifies this connection between existing heritage and living heritage, deliberately materialised by the contrast between old and new. The result is an eclectic space incorporating different times, cultures and aesthetics, a place where styles coexist, and speak to its history. For Merci, this was also achieved by bringing in artists, designers and artisans, and asking them to add their own personal touch to the Second Residence.

Accordingly, the apartment features many vintage objects and recycled pieces, including shelves, a table and a desk made entirely from recycled plastic, designed in collaboration with Le Pavé Minimum.

The Second Residence is also home to a mix of works selected by Merci and loaned by Galerie Kamel Mennour, Olivier Castaing’s School Gallery and Wilo&Grove, proof living environments should not be rigid, but rather evolve with the passage of time.