Renovating and furnishing a Parisian pied-à-terre, Paris 16th arrondissement
Sumner Hargrove, Founder and Creative Director, Flights of Fancy
“ When Sumner and I had our first video call, as I am based in New York, I knew I needed help finding a sofa for my new Parisian pied-à-terre. Several months later, as the project took shape, she had envisioned, sourced, ordered and received over 150 glorious pieces of French furniture and furnishings! She expertly managed a Franco-Egyptian renovation team, guiding them deftly through a number of challenges to deliver an ambitious project on time. Her attention to detail, passion for her work, bilingualism, innate sense of style and knowledge of French culture are all essential assets. She delivered above and beyond my expectations, making a home away from home for me, complete with Parisian charm. In the process, we became friends.”
Furnishing and staging a luxury long-term rental property, Neuilly-sur-Seine
“As a busy French family expatriated to Los Angeles, we were looking for someone to manage everything on-site to ready our property for a long-term rental. We also wanted a person with a deep understanding of the nuances of French culture to show an Haussmannian property to its best advantage, mixed with a fresh, modern style to appeal to an international clientele. Sumner delivered on all of this and more, completing the project within a very tight timeframe, juggling logistics across multiple time zones with ease. We highly recommend her. ”
Apartment, west of Paris
““”What a fabulous project! It was such a joy to work with Sumner as her mind shifts seamlessly from the big picture to the smallest detail, knowing it all matters. Yes, she has a keen eye for color and texture, with a natural gauge of scale in a room, but what strikes me most is her intrinsic sense of style. She is indeed the Grace Kelly of interior designers in Paris.””
Curating and mounting an African art collection, Paris 16th arrondissement
Antique Arts & Crafts sofa re-upholstery project, Paris 17th arrondissement
“As an American expatriate family in Paris with young children, we wanted to have our historic Arts & Crafts sofa re-upholstered in an elegant, memorable yet durable fabric. We were also hoping for something with a hint of French history and this gorgeous rich blue brocade proved itself to be the answer. Sumner helped us find the fabric, guided our final selection as well as arranged and managed the talented craftsperson with finesse. We could not be more pleased!”
Apartment, Paris 17th arrondissement
Apartment, Paris 16th arrondissement
““Sumner and I have known one another since our early teens and I would not hesitate to recommend her for one moment. Her attention to detail, mastery of color, strategic vision, love of fabrics and strong organizational skills all make her perfectly suited to interior decoration.””
Restoration of period details in an 1850s apartment, Paris 14th arrondissement
“As an Anglophone expatriate in Paris with limited French language skills, I sought a talented interior decorator with a can-do attitude and sharp eye for design who could support me through all phases of my interior design project. From her flexibility and ability to envision what I was trying to express, to her rich network of craftspeople and deep understanding of how the French system works, Sumner delivered above and beyond, on-budget and adjusted to my schedule. Throughout the project, she made intelligent and thoughtful suggestions, steering me in the direction that would make me happiest. During the renovation phase, she flawlessly managed an ever-evolving matrix of artisans, schedules, hiccups and questions with grace, precision and patience. I truly could not have managed without her.”
Renovation of the powder room in an 1850s apartment with custom hand-made Moroccan tiles, Paris 14th arrondissement
Design of a custom armoire by a talented wood craftsman in an 1850s apartment, Paris 14th arrondissement
Historic home, Columbia, South Carolina (US)
““From the moment Sumner and I first discussed my design project, I was struck by her uncanny ability to listen and capture my ideas in an almost read-my-mind inspiration board and spot-on materials selection to create a coherent artistic vision. Her professionalism in adhering to the budget and attention to detail were readily apparent as she worked deftly with the general contractor across multiple time zones. She has truly transformed my rental property into a gracious, light-filled home, thereby adding significant value. I look forward to working with her on another project.””
Hand-cut Inspiration Board for a renovation and decoration project in Columbia, South Carolina (US)
Project red thread: gracious, tasteful and inviting
Hand-cut Inspiration Board for a decoration project in Paris, 16th arrondissement
Project red thread: inviting, functional and memorable
Hand-cut Inspiration Board, renovation and interior decoration project in Paris for a Franco-British family
Project red thread: elegant, unexpected and poetic