The 120 m2 (1,291 sq. ft) apartment occupies the ground floor and first French floor of a small residential building and is outfitted with antiques from around the world. The main living area of the apartment is the upper level of the property, accessed either by a flight of steps or the small building elevator. Upon entering the apartment, an antique secretary is fully outfitted with every office supply you can imagine you’d need during a stay in Paris. Beyond it is the well-illuminated galley kitchen, with cream-colored walls, black stone countertops and a floor tiled in terra cotta with black accents. The kitchen is compact but is fully equipped, with new appliances such as an electric stove and oven, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator and freezer, coffeemaker, and toaster.

The dining area is just to the left of the apartment’s main entrance, near the windows. A round table allows for seating for four guests, and all the necessities for an intimate dinner party are concealed within the large built-in pantry opposite the entrance.

The most stunning aspect of the salon is the wall of built-in wooden cabinetry and mantel, painted a soft shade of sage green, which runs the length of the room. Beyond the dining area, still close to the windows, is a comfortable sitting area with a sofa and three wingchairs allowing for a nice conversation area for five or six. The sitting area opens to the brick fireplace, which, due to French regulations, is not permitted to be used. Hidden in a Tibetan cabinet below the windows is the media library, complete with CDs, DVDs, and a stereo with iPod docking station and CD player.

At the far end of the salon lies the library with shelves of books, several Louis XIII chairs and a glass and wooden hutch displaying some of the owner’s favorite pieces. On the wall hangs a 19th century Chinese window screen.

Behind the kitchen lies a spacious half-bath in shades of brown with some built-in shelving. There is also a wall of placards that offer plenty of storage for personal effects and empty suitcases for guests while in residence. A sturdy set of 20 spiral steps with railing leads down to the lower level of the apartment.

At the foot of the landing are four doors. The first door on the left leads to the full master bathroom which majestically presents its claw-footed tub with handheld shower within terra cotta-colored walls with dark brown accent features. The curving vanity is wood and the floors are stone. The second door is a closet concealing the washer and separate dryer.

Next is the door to second bedroom, with a 42-inch wall-mounted flat-screen television with DVD player and satellite television with English-speaking channels. The full-size bed, flanked by end tables with lamps, is welcoming for one or two guests, who can store their personal effects in either a red dresser or a closet with shelves and hanging space. The room provides additional seating with an armchair and wingchair; there is a separate entrance from the building if guests prefer a bit of privacy. This second bedroom offers an ensuite bathroom with a large stall shower, tiled in white, and a WC.

The final door from the landing leads to the large master bedroom, decorated in pale yellow with botanical prints. The queen-size bed is flanked by end tables with reading lamps. A small writing desk, two armchairs, and a large antique lawyer’s filing cabinet round out the décor in the bedroom. One wall of placards allows for storage space in addition to that in the dresser.

In addition to the high-quality appointments, the apartment benefits from two oft-requested amenities: A/C and wi-fi. Both bedrooms are air-conditioned, and wireless internet access is available throughout the apartment. There are high-speed (ADSL) connection points in both bedrooms. Despite the apartment’s windows that open onto a small courtyard, the amount of natural light is not overwhelming. The owner has outfitted the apartment with plenty of accent lighting and table lamps to ensure a cheerful stay at the property.

This quiet apartment offers a bit of calm, just a few blocks from the Seine in one direction, from the Jardin du Luxembourg in another, and from Bon Marche with its Grand Epicerie in yet another. It is a luxurious property in a highly-desirable location and has been thoughtfully furnished by its American owners to assure every comfort. This stylish apartment befits its location in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.