In the heart of one of Paris's most exclusive districts, Rick Owens has crafted a residence that deliberately contradicts its elegant surroundings. The California-born designer's five-story home offers views of the Ministry of Defense on one side and Condé Nast USA headquarters on the other, creating an unexpected retreat within the bustling French capital.
The interior reflects Owens' distinctive aesthetic sensibilities. Rough, unpolished floors run throughout the space, lending it a primitive, almost cave-like atmosphere. One room lacks windows entirely, emphasizing the designer's preference for stark, sheltered environments. Among the carefully selected furnishings stands the "Pedalo chair", a curved seat constructed on a resin base and covered with cashmere that has been intentionally allowed to pill, creating textural interest through visible wear.
Despite its location in one of Paris's most heavily guarded neighborhoods, with French Gendarmerie patrolling the perimeter, this building transcends its function as mere housing. For Owens, it serves as a sanctuary where he can withdraw and recharge. The second floor houses a workshop area, providing unrestricted space for creative exploration.
The third and fourth floors further showcase Owens' fascination with deliberate neglect. Both the atelier and bedroom areas expose electrical wiring, with no curtains or dedicated lighting fixtures in the sleeping quarters. The bed sits elevated on a platform covered with Swiss Army blankets which, according to Owens in his PIN-UP Magazine interview, offer "greater protection" within what he considers his personal bunker.
True to his minimalist vision, traditional storage solutions are absent. Instead of closets, clothing hangs from a simple gray rack, completing the deliberately austere environment that Owens has established in this personal refuge.
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Andrea Darren
Born in Manchester, from a young age, she was passionate about art and design. She studied at the University of the Arts in London, where she developed her skills in these fields. Today, Andrea works as an editor for a renowned publishing house, combining her love for art and design with her editorial expertise.