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S H O W R O O M | PA R E X C E L L E N C E
I
n the heart of Manhattan, 344
Bowery is home to a new, one-of-a-
kind place two years in the making.
With its arched windows and
columns, the facade of the building
draws inspiration from classical European
architecture. The real magic, however,
happens on the inside. With views of the
Bowery Hotel and the Chrysler Building,
the inspiring space comprises a bright
1,076-square-foot living room and an
elegant open dining room adorned with
bespoke pieces of furniture, lighting and
architectural decor in a scenography
created by Thomas Pheasant. Two
sample libraries — of about 600 square
feet in total — display a selection of
bronze textures, woodwork, metalwork,
plasterwork, decorative painting, straw
marquetry patterns, hand-tufted and
hand-woven rug models, lightings, luxury
electrical hardware and technology.
"We were looking for an American
designer who knew French culture and
heritage — somebody who could help
us make all of our artisans work together,"
says Guillaume Bouchez, CEO of Par
Excellence, a company that promotes
the expertise of French craftsmanship in
the United States. Thomas Pheasant was
a natural choice. "He is passionate about
France and even owns a pied-à-terre in
Paris. Thomas was already working with
one of our artisans, Romain Jouffre — the
CEO of Jouffre and the son of Charles
Jouffre, founder of Par Excellence — who
made the introduction."
The renowned designer was immediately
convinced. "I love the idea of what Par
Excellence is all about," says Pheasant.
"In working on this showroom, I wanted to
channel the creative forces of this group
of stellar French artisans through my own
personal lens. It is my hope that American
designers and architects will see how their
projects can be elevated through this
26 DIGS.NET
| 4.21.23
