Communications maven Jasmine Spezie left her Left Bank lifestyle after falling in love with a classic apartment across the Seine better suited for her growing collection.
With a sprawling apartment in Paris, a chalet in Saint Moritz, and offices in Paris and Milan, German-Italian luxury communications whizz Jasim Spezie doesn’t put down her bags for very long in any one city. Founder and CEO of IC Insight Communications, Spezie advises clients around the globe and is already thinking of where her next office will be.
Of all her real estate, and throughout her travels, her most treasured spot is her art-filled home in the middle of the city where she never worries about looking perfect.
Find out how she transforms her rooms when decorating into chic expressions that speak to and of you – it’s a great lesson in advance interior design and how to make elegance look effortless. Read more on another house tour, ‘Elegant Minimalism in a Fashion Designer’s Sydney Home.’
The main living area features a mix of pieces Spezie has sourced from dealers and fairs. The armchairs are by Gio Ponti, the sofa is Kagan, and the coffee table by Paul Evans. The gold stools are by Oskar Zieta, the black chair by Max Lamp, and the little desk is Gio Ponti from the 1940s. The photograph above the desk is by NYC-based Willa Nasatir. Photo by Julia Piatti.
Entering Spezie’s classic, very Parisian apartment, located on the Right Bank, one is immediately struck by the mix of unexpected works of art and design set against a highly traditional and formal interior. “When I first saw this place, I loved the volumes and the light,” says Spezie, looking back.
“I didn’t do any work—I just moved in with my furniture and art. It’s naturally a beautiful space and I don’t need any window treatments. I love the view.”
To select certain pieces, fabrics, and finishes throughout, Spezie—who, with a longtime former office and flat near Café de Flore, describes herself as “a Left Bank girl” at heart—worked with good friend and interior decorator Carlo Ponti.
In the Paris apartment of luxury-communications executive Jasmine Spezie, a view into a lovely kitchen that, the homeowner admits, gets very little use. The painting is by American artist Clay Keter and the overhead lights are by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec for Flos. Photo by Julia Piatti.
The apartment is full of works she has picked up over the years while traveling and at home. “I have been collecting my whole life; I go to flea markets, auctions, galleries. I bought some pieces whilst I was here,” she says, pointing to a painting in the entryway by California artist Sam Falls.
“My furniture moves with me and I don’t think I’ve ever sold anything.”
Though she readily recognizes her penchant for large works of art, Spezie remarks on the fact that she could probably focus more on design pieces going forward. “For some reason, I never buy objects.”
In the dining room, the table is Saarinen and the chairs vintage Eames Herman Miller. The light sculpture is by Jeff Zimmerman. The large painting on the left is by American artist Alexander May, and the black and white painting on the right is by Mexican artist Stefan Brüggemann. The bronze console is by Nucleo; on the table are a vase by Martin Szekely for Christofle and candlesticks designed by Andrée Putman, also for Christofle. Photo by Julia Piatti.
Though the apartment is perfectly suited for entertaining, Spezie—whose other passion, aside from art, is riding horses on the weekends in Chantilly—demurs. “The kitchen isn’t used very much,” she says, “but I have friends who come to stay even when I’m not here. And since I don’t cook, I cater.” Any advice for young collectors starting out? “Follow your instincts and buy what you like,” she says, after a moment of reflection.
“Don’t speculate—it’s important for your place to reflect who you are.
Even if that’s not perfect.”
Art is in every room of the apartment, even the guest bathroom, where Spezie placed a contemporary Chinese sculpture. Photo by Julia Piatti.
EXCERPT FROM A STORY THAT APPEARED IN ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST. Text by Gay Gassmann.
