Paris Houzz Tour: Big Presence in a Tiny 20-Square-Metre Studio
Not only does this studio look bigger than its 20 square metres, it also offers the conveniences of a much larger home
“Every detail of this studio – both the decor and the layout – has been treated with care,” says Margaux Carnevali, the interior designer in charge of this Parisian renovation. “You don’t get to botch the final result just because it’s a small space.” In fact, this apartment has all the conveniences of a larger space. Functional, stylish and, above all, customised to the owner’s lifestyle, it is a dream home for many young professionals in search of a cosy, Parisian nest.
Just 10 years ago, this was not even a home; it was created by dividing an office into two studio apartments. Habitable but not quite functional, these units were in desperate need of a second lease on life. The experts at Neva Architecture Intérieure took us through their top-to-bottom revamp of one of these spaces.
Just 10 years ago, this was not even a home; it was created by dividing an office into two studio apartments. Habitable but not quite functional, these units were in desperate need of a second lease on life. The experts at Neva Architecture Intérieure took us through their top-to-bottom revamp of one of these spaces.
It’s not often an apartment this size has a real dining table and a separate bedroom. Carnevali chose to depart from the norm, and created clearly defined spaces with all the desired conveniences, to make this nest as cosy as possible.
Since it’s important to minimise the number of partitions in such a small space, the various zones have been divided with decor tricks instead. The turquoise that frames the sofa distinguishes the living area from the dining space, while a bolder shade defines the sleeping area, which is accessed via a black-runged ladder. This harmonious blue-and-white ambience lends the sleeping space a cocooning feel.
Since it’s important to minimise the number of partitions in such a small space, the various zones have been divided with decor tricks instead. The turquoise that frames the sofa distinguishes the living area from the dining space, while a bolder shade defines the sleeping area, which is accessed via a black-runged ladder. This harmonious blue-and-white ambience lends the sleeping space a cocooning feel.
Accessories also help delineate the different spaces. “To define the dining area, I chose an origami-like paper pendant light,” Carnevali says. “The patterned splashback draws attention in the kitchen.”
These splashback tiles add character and make the kitchen stand out within the open-plan apartment. The kitchen is also fully equipped with the appliances you would expect to find in a larger home, including a built-in rangehood, microwave, compact refrigerator, small oven and even a mini-dishwasher.
In cases like this, it is a question of proportions. The appliances fit into this mini-kitchen well because their size matches the space.
These splashback tiles add character and make the kitchen stand out within the open-plan apartment. The kitchen is also fully equipped with the appliances you would expect to find in a larger home, including a built-in rangehood, microwave, compact refrigerator, small oven and even a mini-dishwasher.
In cases like this, it is a question of proportions. The appliances fit into this mini-kitchen well because their size matches the space.
Upstairs, a double mattress and some shelves for storage transformed the mezzanine into a functional bedroom. Switches on this level operate all the lights in the apartment.
However, possibly the home’s best feature is the closet under the mezzanine. Before the renovation, the tenant used to keep her clothes at the entrance on a hanging rail and in stacked boxes. Today, she stores everything in this large custom-made wardrobe. The mirrored doors visually enlarge the space and transform the area under the mezzanine into a small dressing space.
However, possibly the home’s best feature is the closet under the mezzanine. Before the renovation, the tenant used to keep her clothes at the entrance on a hanging rail and in stacked boxes. Today, she stores everything in this large custom-made wardrobe. The mirrored doors visually enlarge the space and transform the area under the mezzanine into a small dressing space.
The studio’s decor is boldly eclectic. “It’s not really typical Scandinavian,” Carnevali says. “Instead, it is a mix of current trends.” The rug, sofa, houseplants and flower pots borrow South American motifs. And the characteristically Nordic combination of white and wood that serves as a base for the decor is spiced up by the mezzanine’s more industrial black metal.
The bathroom again shows how white can brighten small rooms. These six immaculate square meters look double their size. The bathroom walls and vanity unit were made of gypsum blocks then covered with white micro-mosaics to break up the monotony of an all-white room. The turquoise and blue notes of the cement tile floor add a spark of color.
Less cramped than one might think, the bathroom offers a few hidden features. The walk-in shower has wall-mounted faucets and temperature controls. A niche near the bottom provides a resting place for beauty products. The wall hooks were carefully positioned so towels would be close enough to grab but not in danger of being splashed. A washing machine and storage cupboard are also hidden in the wall near the entrance.
The bathroom is emblematic of the studio as a whole: chock-full of clever solutions and extra comforts, all in only a few square metres.
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The bathroom is emblematic of the studio as a whole: chock-full of clever solutions and extra comforts, all in only a few square metres.
Tell us
What’s your favourite feature in this apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments below, save your favourite images, like and save this story and share it with fellow apartment dwellers. Go on, join the conversation.
More
Missed last week’s Houzz Tour? Catch up here with this California Houzz Tour: William Krisel’s Iconic Twin Palms
Who lives here: A tenant
Location: The 15th arrondissement of Paris, France
Size: Approximately 20 square metres
Interior designer: Margaux Carnevali, Neva Architecture Intérieure
With this renovation, the team aimed to give the apartment a spacious feel despite its diminutive size. As such, decluttering the space was a big part of the job, which spanned three months. A benchtop previously stood perpendicular to the main line of cabinets in the kitchen and had impeded the flow of the apartment. Removing it was the real launching point of the renovation.
At first, Carnevali wasn’t sure how to proceed in such a small space. Pushing the walls out was tempting but obviously impossible. When faced with a lack of floor space, however, nothing beats white paint for enhancing the existing space. From ceiling and walls to mezzanine and furniture, a large part of the studio is now snow white. The timber floorboards were also treated with a lighter finish. These light colours help make the home much brighter.