A Parisian Reinvention

Blending French Traditional with Modern Chic

By Emma Geary
Photography courtesy of Sergio V. Photography

With over 30 years of design collaboration and friendship, when Maryann Goldstein and David Benditt were ready to downsize from their Edina home, Greg and the MartinPatrick 3 Interiors team were their first call to bring their next chapter to fruition at Eleven Residences in Minneapolis. 

After years in a traditional French-style home filled with antiques and classic furnishings, also designed by MP3, they decided it was time for a change—something small, more contemporary, and yet still rich with character.

MartinPatrick 3 was involved from the very beginning, collaborating with the clients even before the unit was built out. "We were part of the original design package for the whole building," Greg explained. "We worked with Maryann and David from the beginning, customizing everything from the media room to the lighting throughout the unit to adding custom built-ins."

Weaving Threads of Past and Present 

The move to Eleven Residences marked a significant transition for Maryann and David. They’d spent years curating a storied collection of artwork, antiques, and unique design pieces from around the world, and downsizing meant a significant edit to their collection. The vision? A chic, Parisian-inspired apartment with a modern twist—one that would blend contemporary elements with their love for French art deco.

The couple's new space is a playful juxtaposition of modern and traditional. Having brought with them an extensive art collection, including a growing assortment of contemporary Japanese pieces, the design needed to seamlessly integrate these with the new art deco elements of the architecture. The result is a space that feels both timeless and fresh, a sophisticated blend of old and new.

Customized Curation at Every Angle 

The attention to detail is evident in every corner of the apartment, customized to fit the couple’s vision. “We reconfigured the kitchen cabinetry and created special built-ins that give the space a bespoke feel, a necessary counterbalance to the potential cookie-cutter nature of a multifamily high-rise,” shared Arielle, the project’s co-designer.

One of the standout features of the apartment is how the old and new are effortlessly combined. "The fireplace, for example, has both modern and elegant elements, but it still retains that classic art deco feel," Greg pointed out. "It’s hard to tell what they had before and what’s new because it all blends so gracefully."

This seamless integration is also evident in the powder room, where a console table from their previous dining room was repurposed as a vanity. Paired with a vintage snake sconce and a unique faucet, even the most compact corners of the space exude charm and character. 

“We sourced the snake sconce, makeup vanity, office lighting, and a few other key pieces for their home from High Style Deco in New York City. Howard Williams, the owner, is a friend of Maryann’s, making these pieces even more personal,” said Arielle. 

An Exercise in Refinement 

What truly sets this project apart is the clients' willingness to embrace bold design choices. "Maryann and David are both very comfortable with color and willing to take design risks," shared Greg. "They didn’t want a stark, personality-free environment. They’re well-traveled, exposed to different cultures, and deeply interested in art, so they weren’t afraid to take chances."

This openness allowed the design team to strike a balance between creating a vibrant space without creating overwhelm. Thematically, shades of blue are woven throughout the apartment, appearing in unexpected places like the sofas, headboard, and office space. "It’s fun because you can drop any color into the room, and it still works like a neutral base," Greg added.

Arielle reflected on the process with fondness. "It’s been a joy to get to know them as people and work on this beautiful unit. We’ve continued to refine and develop the space as they live in it, and it’s always a pleasure to help with even the smallest details."

A European Design Philosophy 

Greg attributes much of the project’s success to the couple’s slow design approach to furnishing their home. "They have a very European attitude about it—they don’t chase trends. They buy pieces they want to keep for life and add to their collection over time," he said. "The transition to the condo was a big deal because they had to let go of some things and reevaluate what was truly important, but it means only bringing their most timeless, significant pieces and making room for more custom, highly-customized furnishings."

This philosophy of "do it once, do it right" has resulted in a space that feels both curated and deeply personal. Every item has a story, a resonance with the couple, which is what makes their new space at Eleven feel so uniquely their own. “We wanted anyone to walk into their home and know right away that it’s David and Maryann’s,” said Arielle. It’s a home where tradition meets modernity, where the past is honored, and the future is embraced with open arms.