Paris Before & After: A Tiny Studio Grows Up With a Mezzanine
This dark, abandoned 19-square-metre concierge's lodge gets a bright Scandi update and a clever new layout
Agnès Carpentier
13 March 2022
The ‘after’ photographs of this studio apartment in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, France, is miles away from its original dilapidated state. A couple purchased this former concierge’s lodge as an investment property, and turned to Margaux Carnevali of Neva Architecture Intérieure to manage a complete renovation.
Photos by Agathe Tissier.
Studio at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple own and rent out this studio apartment
Area: 19 square metres
Location: Paris, France
Completion date: February 2020
Duration of work: 4 months
Interior Designer: Margaux Carnevali, Neva Architecture Intérieure
The couple had spotted her work on social media and in two previous Houzz stories (you can read one here), which featured properties that had presented similar challenges to their own. Carnevali, who tells us that she likes updating small spaces most of all, made clever use of the high ceiling to pack more into the space. She also came up with an ingenious L-shaped layout that makes the studio look much larger than its 19 square metres.
Studio at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple own and rent out this studio apartment
Area: 19 square metres
Location: Paris, France
Completion date: February 2020
Duration of work: 4 months
Interior Designer: Margaux Carnevali, Neva Architecture Intérieure
The couple had spotted her work on social media and in two previous Houzz stories (you can read one here), which featured properties that had presented similar challenges to their own. Carnevali, who tells us that she likes updating small spaces most of all, made clever use of the high ceiling to pack more into the space. She also came up with an ingenious L-shaped layout that makes the studio look much larger than its 19 square metres.
The floor plan before works.
This old concierge’s lodge, on the ground floor of a historical building, measures 19 square metres and is blessed with 3.5-metre-high ceilings. The apartment was dark despite its two large windows to the courtyard, as one of the windows was enclosed in a ‘box’ – likely the remnants of a kitchen or bathroom. The property was completely abandoned for two decades, but it was “tidy,” as the designer describes it, referring to its layout rather than its deplorable state.
This old concierge’s lodge, on the ground floor of a historical building, measures 19 square metres and is blessed with 3.5-metre-high ceilings. The apartment was dark despite its two large windows to the courtyard, as one of the windows was enclosed in a ‘box’ – likely the remnants of a kitchen or bathroom. The property was completely abandoned for two decades, but it was “tidy,” as the designer describes it, referring to its layout rather than its deplorable state.
The floor plan after works, with a visualisation of the mezzanine.
At 3.5 metres, the very tall ceilings were the key to making the most of the space. They made it possible to create a bedroom corner on a mezzanine, making the studio feel like a two-room apartment. It also meant that the tenants do not have to fold and unfold a sofa bed every day. Carnevali decided to position the mezzanine at the entrance, so it would not overwhelm the living space or block the light coming in from the windows.
Struggling to squeeze everything into a small floor plan? Find interior designers near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
At 3.5 metres, the very tall ceilings were the key to making the most of the space. They made it possible to create a bedroom corner on a mezzanine, making the studio feel like a two-room apartment. It also meant that the tenants do not have to fold and unfold a sofa bed every day. Carnevali decided to position the mezzanine at the entrance, so it would not overwhelm the living space or block the light coming in from the windows.
Struggling to squeeze everything into a small floor plan? Find interior designers near you, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
The floor plan after works, without the mezzanine.
The challenge was to find a way to fit the bathroom and the kitchen in a single line with the entrance, where the plumbing was located. Carnevali was initially doubtful that she would be able to fit the bathroom under the mezzanine, as she had originally planned.
“If it was insufficiently high for a shower, we would have had to install the kitchen under the mezzanine,” she says. “The layout would have been much less successful, because it would have meant partitioning the bathroom off on the window side and losing the view and light.”
The challenge was to find a way to fit the bathroom and the kitchen in a single line with the entrance, where the plumbing was located. Carnevali was initially doubtful that she would be able to fit the bathroom under the mezzanine, as she had originally planned.
“If it was insufficiently high for a shower, we would have had to install the kitchen under the mezzanine,” she says. “The layout would have been much less successful, because it would have meant partitioning the bathroom off on the window side and losing the view and light.”
Before. This photo shows the dilapidated state of the abandoned lodge when the owners first bought it. The entrance had a recess with an old cupboard that concealed the electrical meter.
After. After some careful calculation, it proved possible to install a mezzanine over a 1.4-square metre, 2.1-metre-high ‘bathroom box’. “We created a mezzanine out of wood, with a minimal floor thickness of 10 centimetres, which extends over the entrance. With a 15-centimetre-thick mattress, there is still a metre above the bed, which is enough to sit up comfortably,” says Carnevali.
With a rod and some shelves, Carnevali transformed the original cupboard at the entrance into a wardrobe. A linen curtain hides it from view. The interior designer proposed this solution because she likes “the gesture of opening a curtain, and that it softens the angular entrance and adds an airy quality”.
The mezzanine overhead aligns perfectly with the wardrobe. Its top compartments were set up with alternating open and closed storage. “This serves as a night stand for the bedroom and storage for bedding, among other things,” she says.
With a rod and some shelves, Carnevali transformed the original cupboard at the entrance into a wardrobe. A linen curtain hides it from view. The interior designer proposed this solution because she likes “the gesture of opening a curtain, and that it softens the angular entrance and adds an airy quality”.
The mezzanine overhead aligns perfectly with the wardrobe. Its top compartments were set up with alternating open and closed storage. “This serves as a night stand for the bedroom and storage for bedding, among other things,” she says.
Before. Here is a view of the space that was originally partitioned. It was probably the kitchen or bathroom of the original lodge. It did not include the toilet, which had been located outside this space.
After. Carnevali removed this partition in order to bring the second window back into the living room. This completely altered the lighting in the space, and introduced a lovely view of the courtyard, visually expanding the space.
To the right of the new bathroom, the kitchen takes up less than 160 centimetres of width. It is in the perfect spot, so that it, like the bedroom, would not be visible from the entrance.
To the right of the new bathroom, the kitchen takes up less than 160 centimetres of width. It is in the perfect spot, so that it, like the bedroom, would not be visible from the entrance.
Under the mezzanine, the small bathroom is a model of efficiency. In spite of its limited dimensions – 1.4 square metres with a 2.1-metre ceiling height – the pro succeeded in finding room for a wall-hung toilet with storage overtop, a basin, shower and a washing machine.
To fit everything in, she used a combination as rare as it is original: a shallow washing machine with a sink overtop. “Optimising a space doesn’t mean sending its occupants to do their laundry at the laundromat. I spotted this solution online and searched extensively for a commercial version of this sink,” says Carnevali.
She also proposed installing an 80-centimetre-wide shower with sliding doors. “Its semi-circular shape frees up space and facilitates circulation in this small room.”
Not visible in this photo is a clever towel warmer, which unfolds at the top to serve as a clothes line.
To fit everything in, she used a combination as rare as it is original: a shallow washing machine with a sink overtop. “Optimising a space doesn’t mean sending its occupants to do their laundry at the laundromat. I spotted this solution online and searched extensively for a commercial version of this sink,” says Carnevali.
She also proposed installing an 80-centimetre-wide shower with sliding doors. “Its semi-circular shape frees up space and facilitates circulation in this small room.”
Not visible in this photo is a clever towel warmer, which unfolds at the top to serve as a clothes line.
After. The new kitchen in white, wood and sage green takes advantage of this discreet but well-lit place behind the bathroom and the mezzanine. Three bottom cabinets fit lots of function into its limited space: the fridge, the corner unit – which contains the sink – and the unit with the stove and oven.
Carnevali was able to fall back on one of her favourite tricks one last time: using clever combined appliances, in this case, the combined oven-dishwasher, and the combined microwave-range hood. She has used these in her projects for a long time. “They are terrific for making the most of a space, but unfortunately they have since been taken out of production by the manufacturers, Candy and Whirlpool,” she says.
The shallow top cabinets look like they go up all the way to the ceiling. In reality the hot-water heater, placed on its side, takes up the uppermost cupboards. It can only be accessed with a ladder.
Carnevali was able to fall back on one of her favourite tricks one last time: using clever combined appliances, in this case, the combined oven-dishwasher, and the combined microwave-range hood. She has used these in her projects for a long time. “They are terrific for making the most of a space, but unfortunately they have since been taken out of production by the manufacturers, Candy and Whirlpool,” she says.
The shallow top cabinets look like they go up all the way to the ceiling. In reality the hot-water heater, placed on its side, takes up the uppermost cupboards. It can only be accessed with a ladder.
The decor in the apartment was, of course, driven by the owners’ wishes and the husband’s Scandinavian background. Though she’s not a huge fan of the style, Carnevali took inspiration from Nordic decor but recreated it, as she puts it, “à la Margaux”.
Falling back on the classic Scandinavian basis of blue/green, white and wood, she added little touches of black to contrast what she sees as slightly boring and overused decor.
Inspired by the two large windows to the lush courtyard, she was also guided by the theme of ‘the countryside in Paris’. It is in this spirit that she selected the cupboard doors with their slightly raised panels, the splashback rods accessorised with enamel containers and botanical touches.
Falling back on the classic Scandinavian basis of blue/green, white and wood, she added little touches of black to contrast what she sees as slightly boring and overused decor.
Inspired by the two large windows to the lush courtyard, she was also guided by the theme of ‘the countryside in Paris’. It is in this spirit that she selected the cupboard doors with their slightly raised panels, the splashback rods accessorised with enamel containers and botanical touches.
After. Thanks to the space-saving layout that places the bathroom and the mezzanine in one strip by the entrance, the living room – comprising the dining corner and the sofa area – occupies almost 12 square metres, a nearly impossible feat in a 19-square-metre studio.
The interior designer worked to differentiate the zones through the flooring and wall finishes. The kitchen is marked by a ‘country-style’ floor of cement tiles, while the living area has wood flooring. “In reality, we put in a wood-look ceramic tile, as the owner was afraid that solid wood would not last over time. I prefer wood, because it is warmer under your feet, but visually this finish does the trick perfectly.”
The interior designer worked to differentiate the zones through the flooring and wall finishes. The kitchen is marked by a ‘country-style’ floor of cement tiles, while the living area has wood flooring. “In reality, we put in a wood-look ceramic tile, as the owner was afraid that solid wood would not last over time. I prefer wood, because it is warmer under your feet, but visually this finish does the trick perfectly.”
Before. There were the remnants of an old chimney in this part of the living space. They did not plan to use the stone wall or the old conduit.
After. The dining corner is near the window and looks out onto the tree-lined courtyard. Carnevali marked it off with wallpaper and (artificial) climbing plants. “It is not easy to find a bright, not-too-patterned wallpaper. I chose this one in the Scandinavian spirit, with its silver geometric patterns, as it recalled the wire trellises that are used to train plants in the countryside.”
After. Behind the dining corner is the room’s sole heater, an efficient, cast-iron electric model.
Browse more small, contemporary dining spaces
Browse more small, contemporary dining spaces
Before. Carenvali says that her final choice for touches of blue/green colour was inspired by the shade she found on the walls of the concierge’s lodge. She sees this colour as very Parisian: “It’s the shade of the metro tickets when I was little!” she says.
In particular, this resulted in the green background of the bedroom alcove (see photos above), which draws the eye and brings a feeling of freshness to the interior.
In particular, this resulted in the green background of the bedroom alcove (see photos above), which draws the eye and brings a feeling of freshness to the interior.
After. The living area is sparse but has the most important features: the sofa with its nested tables, a wall-mounted TV unit, a mirror that almost resembles an extra window, and a few subtle decor details.
Carnevali used a light fixture with a one-metre span to mark off the living area. It is one of the black, wrought-iron details that brings contrast and energy to the overall design. Softening the apartment’s angular aspect, its rounded form adds an organic form that is picked up by the coffee tables, sconces and kitchen sink.
The ladder to the mezzanine was purchased off-the-shelf, but adapted so it would not block the passage, then painted and installed by the carpenter.
The ladder to the mezzanine was purchased off-the-shelf, but adapted so it would not block the passage, then painted and installed by the carpenter.
Left wallpaper-free, the wall behind the sofa separates the living room from the dining area. Two picture shelves were accessorised with plants framed in wood and black metal frames, in order to pull in the chosen theme again: “modern countryside,” says Carnevali.
The large light fixture hangs high enough to underscore the beautiful ceiling height. The lamp goes a long way to highlighting the living area. Less expensive than the famous lamp from Petite Friture that likely inspired this model, it nonetheless brings in just as much lightness and graphic lines to the space.
Carnevali takes a lot of pleasure in optimising small spaces to the point where it’s difficult to find anything missing. “I love renovating small spaces because it is faster, and requires more inventiveness,” she says.
Your turn
What do you like most about this small and stylish space? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like this story and save the images for inspiration. Go on, join the renovation conversation.
More
You’ll love this amazing transformation – Before & After: A Tricky L-Shaped, 3-Way Bathroom Transformed
Carnevali takes a lot of pleasure in optimising small spaces to the point where it’s difficult to find anything missing. “I love renovating small spaces because it is faster, and requires more inventiveness,” she says.
Your turn
What do you like most about this small and stylish space? Tell us in the Comments below. And remember to like this story and save the images for inspiration. Go on, join the renovation conversation.
More
You’ll love this amazing transformation – Before & After: A Tricky L-Shaped, 3-Way Bathroom Transformed
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Super clever and a lovely space to live in.
Excellent design for such small space !
The washing machine sink … ingenious!! And the other combined appliances are so clever !