This apartment traces a river of time from Paris's Left Bank to the shores of Qin Lake in Changshu. It is built on French classical lines and layered with the city's own craft traditions. 

A cubist relief brings Montparnasse's modern edge to the panelled living room wall. The marble coffee table keeps its natural, uneven edge.

Brass and glass branches form the chandelier, catching light across a table set with Wedgwood china.

Flowers cascade from the ceiling and tall plants lean toward the window, each stem placed with care. A nod to Flore, goddess of spring.

A coffee corner in the living room takes its cue from Left Bank Paris cafes, built for reading and unhurried thought.

Sketches, lace, fabric and a dress form fill this atelier, each one placed with a maker's eye and a handmade warmth.

The fluted glass doors carry an antique sheen. Beside them, a soft white stool answers back in light, airy texture.

A reading lamp glows warm beside an amber drink before bed. Light moves slowly along the sculpted edges of the furniture. Time here is spent freely. 

Named Ballet Étoile, this room takes its cue from Georges Balanchine's ballet 'Jewels'. Emerald green replaces the usual pastel pink against an ivory French base.

Velvet with soft, gathered pleats meets cool metal line work, echoing the fold of a tutu and the cut facets of a gemstone.

Blue tones and built-in storage set an ocean-going mood in this room, free and unhurried like paddleboarding itself.