Coco Chanel's Apartment

A symbol of luxury and class, Coco Chanel is one of the most “aiconic” women in history. So wouldn’t it be amazing to know what it would be like to live as Coco Chanel for a day? See what it is like to walk through her apartment? Live as she did in Paris 1920s?

I had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of it and visit her apartment in 31 Rue Cambon. From the outside, it looked just like another apartment - that blended in with the Parisian backdrop: clean lines, symmetrical architecture, strict proportions, and a smooth pure white facade.

The ground floor was a Chanel boutique - the store front where Coco Chanel expanded her brand to include clothing, accessories, and her infamous perfume: N°5 perfume in 1921.

Walking up the stairs was like an Alice in Wonderland experience with the walls covered in tall mirrors. The staircase itself was a magnificent accent as it reflected the space making it look large and grand, and lit.

The second floor it opened up to served a dual purpose - as a show space to present her collections, and as a salon for couture fittings. The mirrors that lined the stairs were used to create a mesmerizing prism effect so that the models always looked their best. We were told that Coco Chanel was actually quite shy and extremely nervous before shows (as anyone would!). She would view the fittings and gauge how the mood and tone of the critics were from her hiding spot on the fifth step (her favorite number) and see everything from the mirrors while remaining completely hidden from her guests.

The stairway continued to lead up to her private residence. The apartment for the most part has remained relatively unchanged since Chanel lived in it. It was once said by Odile Babin, a Chanel archivist, “ Mademoiselle Chanel hated doors. She hoped that by placing screens in front of the door, her guests might not remember to leave.” Chanel had a fear of being alone.

Various motifs were clearly displayed all around the apartment. Motifs that today’s designers use for inspiration to closely align with the brand’s creator. One was the camellia flower - it was etched on the screens, propped at the entrances, outlined on the dish ware, and etched on various pottery pieces. Another was the golden grain motif - used in Chanels collection again recently in 2016. Another was the lion - after all, Chanel was a Leo. Golden lions, golden grains - the entire place felt warm and inviting. Safe and bountiful.

Lions adorning the tables. Notice the elongated octagon shape of the mirrors - same shape that is used in many of today’s Chanel accessories and jewelry.

Signature Chanel design codes were everywhere too. The entire apartment smelled faintly of Chanel N°5. As personal as the apartment was and exquisitely decorated, Coco Chanel never slept in it. There was no bedroom in the apartment. Instead every evening, she would walk down the street and enter the Ritz Paris where she called home for 34 years.

This is the plush suede couch that has sat many a close friends, like Elizabeth Taylor, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dalí. Gilded treasures and mementos add sentimental hints at every turn. Wall-to-wall bookshelves are packed with rich leather-bound tomes, an etched wooden desk is worn from decades of use, and a ceiling dripping with custom made chandeliers.

I think the most interesting thing about this apartment tour is that you really see the past mesh with the present. The history and legend of Chanel continue to exist as her influence lives on. The various motifs we see in the apartment: the lion, the deer, the grain, the octagon, the camellia, etc are all inspirations for today’s designers to continue on her legacy and her name.