In the timeless Parisian play *Le Mariage de Figaro*, the crafty Figaro and his fiancée Suzanne try to outwit their aristocratic employers, creating comedic confusion in a light-hearted romp. Such is the way of comedy where there are no such conspirators as the wealthy Figaro-from-his-fiancée’s-parents. But it was definitely present at the home of graphic designer Julian Hawke. On the other hand, there was a certain kind of playful spirit in between his events-a spirit of creativity that was not only made possible by modern art works but also because of the historical dual-reverence that inspired them.
Of course, one gets the feeling that playwright Beaumarchais himself is present since he’s neatly framed over high-brow dinner parties and artsy soirees thrown by Hawke.
The famous playwright first came to the notice of Hawke when he dramatised this role during university, and then came a very instant correspondence with the humour and wit that ran through Beaumarchais’ work. And then he joined the Beaumarchais Society, a society of those who really had a lot of love for the playwright in terms of his literary contributions: “I was the youngest member by several decades,” he laughs.
This is Julian Hawke, whose apartment is located in the trendy Le Marais district of Paris. Here his vocation is a designer, as well as one who appreciates history in art. Upon finishing his studies, he moved to Paris, and whilst there, found a surprisingly deep bond with the local creative community-not long after, he was working with a curator, Elise Laurent, who introduced him to priceless pieces of art. Their collaboration entailed Hawke curating vintage pieces for her private gallery, but also a rich friendship that shaped his design sensibility.
“Le Marais feels like a place where creativity thrives,” says Hawke. “It is home to so many inspiring artists and designers. So much history in this neighbourhood: artists like Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso lived here, and you can still feel that energy today.”
In 2021, he moved into one of the historic houses lining the cobbled streets of Le Marais into a stylishly chic yet dinky apartment. In just a couple of years, an apartment which turned into a sophisticated place for his graphic design work and, at the same time, a social space for creating gatherings from his creative friends springs up. “I thought of the apartment as a kind of artist’s loft, but on a smaller scale,” Hawke explains. “It was less about the space and more about creating a mood. Once I started thinking about it like that, everything changed.”
And herein comes, as a remarkable facet, the abundant and spacious salon, truly a domain of work and entertaining. The walls are outfitted with paintings of countless styles: from a typical French landscape of the 19th century to contemporary abstracts of an up-and-coming artist from Paris. At one end of the place sits an antique turntable, the pride of Hawke and his vinyl collection, which he describes as his most cherished possession. “The music I play here is my mood. It defines the atmosphere during my evenings with friends,” he shares.
The apartment is filled with rare, eclectic items collected by Hawke over the years, such as antique glassware gifted to him by the oldest café in Paris, Le Procope. These unique pieces are scattered through the space, with modern furniture creating a blending of old and new.
The atelier is where Hawke hosts his famous cocktail parties. “This isn’t a dinner party home,” he confides. “There’s no space for a formal dinner table, and I’m terrible at cooking!” There was always some story, laughter, and music at his parties. “I love the idea of gathering creative people to talk about their latest projects, or simply share a new song,” he says. In the festive season, his apartment becomes a festive hub with early evening drinks followed by a walk to the local bistro or theater.
Guests exploring the apartment are always surprised to see rare artistic artifacts out in the open. A vintage 1950s camera sits on a side table-the supposed camera of choice by one photographer with Le Figaro newspaper. Closely beside it is a beautifully made antique French writing desk that belonged to a famous Parisian playwright, along with whose scripts Hawke is trying to preserve. These artifacts tell the past and present coexistence story along with the designer’s modern artifacts.
Hawke’s interest in antique furnishings and detailed styling is derived from his upbringing by parents who were avid collectors of the French art and design. His mother, fond of celebrated interior designer Pierre Yovanovitch, taught him to mix periods, fusing old-world opulence with a contemporary feel. Hawke’s apartment is made up of a vintage art deco mirror from the famous Marché aux Puces flea market in Paris and a sculptural coffee table by French designer Philippe Starck.
This apartment, although small, is filled with objects lovingly chosen to provide warmth and comfort rather than clutter. “I wanted a home where I could feel surrounded by creativity,” says Hawke. “I didn’t care about having a huge space—just as long as I could have art and music everywhere.” Each and every tiny bit of the apartment is filled with precious things, so it feels as though there is an alive museum where everything tells a story.
The latest acquisitions made by Hawke are a prime example of the flair that the guy possesses for preserving history. He spent hours online searching auctions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now he entertains the envy of many with a collection that includes a mid-century French needlepoint rug that used to belong to the study of famous musician Serge Gainsbourg. “I couldn’t stand the thought of such things being left behind,” Hawke says, “for they belong in a home where they are appreciated.”
Hawke’s Parisian apartment is more than a living space for him; it is a space where the imagination is free to roll. Here is a home where the past collides with modern day, and a unique environment is created for both working and partying. He smiles ogling the ceiling full of his artworks and treasures. “There’s always room for more inspiration,” he says, laughing with mischief in his eyes.