3 Hotel la Comtesse 4 3 Deep scarlet tones evoke equal parts elegant drapery and slightly illicit glamour. A geometric gold wall brings the vibe into the 21st century. 32 boutiquedesign.com march 2017 4 Oversize lights evoke crumpled manuscript paper. Rich dark finishes offer a sophisticated backdrop. Every guest walking into the Hausmannian building that's now the Hotel La Comtesse is on the fictional noblewoman's invite list. The Elegancia Hotels member property, like its branded boutique peers (think Room Mate Hotels) puts its stock firmly in the idea of a presiding personality for the hotel's design and identity-especially key for a soft brand where there's no overarching corporate roadmap. Not that hotel owner Corine Boulay was taking a literal approach, either to the concept of the comtesse or the 18th-century references that are scattered throughout the property. Instead, she and architects Cabinet A3+ turned tension into the driving force behind the look. First, there's the dichotomous persona of the countess. "She is mysterious and complex and likes solitude that's conducive to reflection and reading. But, she's also very festive and social. So, we designed the hotel to reflect that," says Boulay. An ultramodern marble origami-like reception desk brings a rococo palette into the 21st century. An 18th century painting becomes a contemporary statement when it's reimagined as door art in the hotel's hammam. How did the team tie the 40-room hotel into Elegancia's DNA? While the company didn't have a direct hand in the design, Boulay and the architect channeled the hotelier's signature love of saturated colors and historic architectural details. Touches like elaborate molding and elaborate tables pay tribute to the intricacy of the French aesthetic. Marble accents around the bathtub offer an elegant accent. Cup of chocolat, anyone? ElEgancia HotEl s ElEgancia hotEls | Parishttp://www.boutiquedesign.com