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Paris Before & After: How a Rooftop Apartment Doubled its Size
Extending onto the roof of this Parisian building made room for more bedrooms and a spacious living area and kitchen
The owners of this home had already been living in the 60-square-metre apartment in Levallois-Perret, a suburb of Paris, France, for a couple of years. However, it became much too small for their needs after the birth of their two children. Rather than moving, they decided to extend onto the rooftop of this 1970s apartment building. They first worked with an architect who was responsible for the building permit. Then they approached interior designer Victoria Douyère to take care of the interior and decor of the now 115-square-metre apartment.
First-floor plan before works.
Initially, the entrance led to a smaller kitchen, dining and living area. At the back were the two original bedrooms, one for the parents and the other for the kids. However, the home only had one bathroom and one toilet located in a separate powder room, which proved inadequate for the family of four.
Initially, the entrance led to a smaller kitchen, dining and living area. At the back were the two original bedrooms, one for the parents and the other for the kids. However, the home only had one bathroom and one toilet located in a separate powder room, which proved inadequate for the family of four.
First-floor plan after works.
Now, the bottom storey of the apartment is entirely dedicated to the home’s living areas, with a much more spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area alongside the original powder room. All the bedrooms and the main bathroom were moved to the newly built upper storey.
Need help maximising your home? Find an architect near you for an expert eye in redesigning your floor plan
Now, the bottom storey of the apartment is entirely dedicated to the home’s living areas, with a much more spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and living area alongside the original powder room. All the bedrooms and the main bathroom were moved to the newly built upper storey.
Need help maximising your home? Find an architect near you for an expert eye in redesigning your floor plan
Kitchen and entrance before works.
Only the powder room and kitchen stayed in their original places on the lower floor. The other walls were removed to create a vast and completely open living space.
The original entrance was to the right of the kitchen (shown above), forming a small open hallway that’s visually separated from the rest of the room.
Only the powder room and kitchen stayed in their original places on the lower floor. The other walls were removed to create a vast and completely open living space.
The original entrance was to the right of the kitchen (shown above), forming a small open hallway that’s visually separated from the rest of the room.
Entrance after works.
For the new entrance, Douyère opted for a graphic contrast to further emphasise the visual separation between the small foyer and the large open-plan living area. The dark custom joinery unit in the entrance, which provides storage and seating, is a sharp contrast to the light wood floor and immaculate walls on the other side.
For the new entrance, Douyère opted for a graphic contrast to further emphasise the visual separation between the small foyer and the large open-plan living area. The dark custom joinery unit in the entrance, which provides storage and seating, is a sharp contrast to the light wood floor and immaculate walls on the other side.
“This colour also appears in part of the living area and main bedroom like a common thread,” says Douyère. She was able to create harmony in the decor of this large living space while effectively zoning the lower floor’s different functions of cooking, dining and relaxing.
Kitchen after works.
With a fully bespoke design, this new, ultra-bright space now opens out onto a large living room with a dining area at the back.
With a fully bespoke design, this new, ultra-bright space now opens out onto a large living room with a dining area at the back.
The owners selected an island made from white marble-effect ceramic that adds a sophisticated touch to the decor, paired with a bold brass pendant light, pearl-grey kitchen fronts and a few black touches.
Besides the increased surface area of the benchtops, the new kitchen island includes a cooktop and dining area that the family can use daily.
Besides the increased surface area of the benchtops, the new kitchen island includes a cooktop and dining area that the family can use daily.
Kitchen after works.
Three ample cupboards line the new structure and the beautiful tinted-glass doors make a fitting display case for the family’s fine objects, blending in with the light timber joinery. They give this transitional space between the kitchen and living room a luxurious feel.
Three ample cupboards line the new structure and the beautiful tinted-glass doors make a fitting display case for the family’s fine objects, blending in with the light timber joinery. They give this transitional space between the kitchen and living room a luxurious feel.
Douyère expertly combined pale wood and contrasting tones on the apartment’s lower floor. “The owners wanted an understated interior that showcases natural materials, punctuated with indirect lighting on the custom-made fittings, creating an intimate and cosy setting,” she says.
Living area after works.
“The couple wanted a Haussmannian-style apartment [Haussmannian buildings were designed by Baron Georges Eugène Haussmann in the 19th century], so we opted for light [chevron] parquet flooring together with modern bespoke joinery, such as the dining-room bookshelf with integrated LED lights,” says Douyère.
“The couple wanted a Haussmannian-style apartment [Haussmannian buildings were designed by Baron Georges Eugène Haussmann in the 19th century], so we opted for light [chevron] parquet flooring together with modern bespoke joinery, such as the dining-room bookshelf with integrated LED lights,” says Douyère.
Douyère also played with contrasts in the living area by combining light and dark shades. For a chic, minimalist ambience, furniture pieces present a mixture of sharp, geometric lines with smooth curves.
A low, customised sideboard elegantly blends into the decor. Offering plenty of storage space, it also contains an overhead projector hidden in a drawer, replacing the television for a more sophisticated look.
Decorative items and a contemporary piece by Paris-based artist Hubert Mardi add a dynamic and colourful touch.
Decorative items and a contemporary piece by Paris-based artist Hubert Mardi add a dynamic and colourful touch.
Living area after works.
The custom joinery wall in the living room, consisting of the low sideboard and upper shelves, extends into this space just behind the round table. With suspended shelves in a sleek design, it serves as a bold but airy contrast to the light timber floor and pristine white light fixture.
Located by the front door and near the kitchen, the colourful powder room is painted in warm terracotta, highlighted by a few black features for a cosy and resolutely chic feel. It has not been moved from its original spot.
There are open compartments and cabinets on both sides of the pale wooden stairs in order to make the most of every corner of storage in this family apartment.
Bedroom after works.
The same elegant midnight-blue colour in the entrance and living room decorates the parents’ bedroom suite. A custom-built bouclé wool headboard elevates this space, alongside a combination of striped cushions and the spiced-ochre bedding.
The bedside table’s and headboard’s round silhouettes add softness to this cosy space.
Echoing the kitchen area, the bathroom features marble-effect tiles embellished with black and brass touches.
A large arched mirror hangs over the tailor-made walnut vanity to create a striking design in tune with contemporary times.
This nursery takes you on a journey with its pastel wallpaper, which complements the retro-style rattan furniture.
Multiple custom-built bedroom storage units are integrated into each sleeping space, including the children’s bedrooms, with this compact unit combining a wardrobe, cupboards, shelves and a desk.
The second kids’ room feels poetic with its grey-green tones, embellished with wallpaper that sits perfectly among the colours of the cabinetry and curtains for a soothing feel.
Joinery in the second children’s bedroom forms a desk and storage area.
In the children’s bathroom, pearl-grey terrazzo floors are a perfect addition to the delicate, powder-pink zellige tiles forming the backdrop to the rattan vanity cabinet.
Now, the family home is no longer overcrowded. Though a significant investment, building an extra floor allowed the owners to meet their needs without the stress of moving and finding a new home, not to mention the added value to their property.
Your turn
Which room or design features in this stunning French home do you love? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Craving more breathtaking transformations? Don’t miss this Sydney-based Before & After: From Dull Box to a Dynamic, Open-Plan Living Room
Your turn
Which room or design features in this stunning French home do you love? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Craving more breathtaking transformations? Don’t miss this Sydney-based Before & After: From Dull Box to a Dynamic, Open-Plan Living Room
Flat at a Glance
Who lives here: A family with two children
Location: Paris, France
Size: 115 square metres
Project duration: Two months
Project date: 2021
Designer: Victoria Douyère
Expanding to the top floor enabled the owners to almost double the floor area of their apartment. The now two-storey home groups the living areas on the lower floor and the bedrooms on the upper floor.