French Houzz: A Petite Parisian Flat Worthy of Guests
Discover how a small city flat was reconfigured to form the perfect space for open-plan living and entertaining
After living in Belgium for the last couple of years, this homeowner decided to move back to France and find a flat in the Marais district of Paris. Having found a large, empty space, the client enlisted the help of architect Tatiana Nicol, who had already redesigned his apartment in Belgium. The goal was clear; to design a cosy hideaway where the homeowner could relax between flights, and have a space to spend time with friends.
At the beginning, there was no kitchen, no bathroom, no bedroom… no internal walls of any kind. After five months of continuous work, this previously empty space is now a chic and practical pad with a friendly feel. Each newly designed room features optimum storage from floor to ceiling, and theres a large open-plan living space. The result is a spacious and warm home where the owner will enjoy entertaining his guests.
Photos by Meero
At the beginning, there was no kitchen, no bathroom, no bedroom… no internal walls of any kind. After five months of continuous work, this previously empty space is now a chic and practical pad with a friendly feel. Each newly designed room features optimum storage from floor to ceiling, and theres a large open-plan living space. The result is a spacious and warm home where the owner will enjoy entertaining his guests.
Photos by Meero
A large storage unit splits the living and sleeping areas. The shelves are over three metres high and took the longest to construct, but offer a great deal of storage space and also serves as an interior wall. “The door slides open to connect the living area with the more intimate bedroom,” says Tatiana. The most important element of the design was to figure out how best to separate the public and private areas.
The bedhead is custom-made in a clay-colour to maximise light and warmth, and with plenty of storage space. It is another essential element of the apartment, since storage was lacking. The bedside tables can be removed, and there are plenty of lighting options, such as LED spotlights above the bed, or bedside lamps for reading.
The bathroom is small (only 6 sqm), but it has been optimised to the limit and even features a washing and drying machine. The sandstone floor and light fixtures (by German designer Isabel Hamm) create a soft and relaxing atmosphere.
“These doors are the only remaining elements from before the works. They belonged to a wardrobe and were moved to this bathroom, where they now open up to yet more storage space,” explains the architect. They’re made of aged wood and bring character and life to the room.
“The table and sideboard come from Belgium. I had previously designed this client’s former apartment there and we decided to move his furniture with him,” says Tatiana. The kitchen is brand new, like the rest of the apartment. The sandstone benchtop is repeated in the floor around the units, protecting the wooden floor and delimiting the kitchen area.
The goal was to allow for a dozen people to be entertained at once, but after pushing the table away, even more people can fit if needs be. The owner has already successfully experienced this with many friends, who have been happily reunited here.
With windows at both ends of the open-plan living space, the home experiences great natural light.
“I pierced these two loopholes in the wall between the kitchen and the bathroom. They are a prime example of my Moroccan inspirations,” says the architect. The splashback is made of waxed concrete and copper to keep the look warm.
‘We sought to create a timeless apartment, one that wouldn’t go out of style. This is why the possibly trendy elements (like the copper lamps) are only a small part of the home,’ adds Tatiana. The lamp on the sideboard is a creation by Marine Breynaert.
TELL US
What do you like about this flat in Paris? Tell us in the Comments below.
MORE SMALL-SPACE TRICKS
Tried-And-True Tips and Tricks for Tiny Homes Across the Globe
Tried-And-True Tips and Tricks for Tiny Homes Across the Globe
Tried-And-True Tips and Tricks for Tiny Homes Across the Globe
TELL US
What do you like about this flat in Paris? Tell us in the Comments below.
MORE SMALL-SPACE TRICKS
Tried-And-True Tips and Tricks for Tiny Homes Across the Globe
Tried-And-True Tips and Tricks for Tiny Homes Across the Globe
Tried-And-True Tips and Tricks for Tiny Homes Across the Globe
Who lives here: A single man
Location: Le Marais, Paris
Size: 54 square metres (580 square feet)
Date: 2014
Architect: Tatiana Nicol
“The living room and the open kitchen form the main space of this apartment. The owner enjoys entertaining his friends, so we made sure that more than a dozen people at once would be able to fit comfortably,” explains the architect. This 35 sqm room takes up almost two thirds of the full apartment. Tatiana Nicol made it a friendly and warm area through a clever combination of soft colours and warm materials. This room is also very spacious; perfect for entertaining. In such a buzzing area of Paris, it’s a rare luxury.