Complete interior architecture of a Parisian apartment

Returning to Paris after a career spent in China, our clients needed to give this apartment an ergonomics and a style of their own. Left untouched for some years, it had a few flaws worth correcting. As is typical of the timber-framed buildings of the 7th arrondissement, the floors had suffered considerably, and the existing layout no longer suited. We took the opportunity to start from scratch, proposing a complete renovation of the property.

The entrance hall was treated with particular care. It distributes the whole apartment: the living room straight ahead, the guest bathroom to the right and the guest bedroom to the left. It was therefore essential to work with subtlety, so that style would prevail over function. We integrated two niches on either side of the passage to the bathroom. Made of pale oak veneer, they display sculptures on their upper shelves while providing storage below. The corridor leading to the guest bathroom features cupboards whose doors carry a metallic finish. We refined that finish at length so it would catch the light and take on exactly the colour we were after. The result is perfect!

Dining area with black oval table, large painted screen and terracotta kitchen – apartment in Paris, by Cotrel Studio, interior designer

Just past the entrance and before the sitting room, we designed a study and library area. The location is strategic! The apartment runs from front to back, and this central spot is bathed in light. Reading a book, working, taking a nap: everything is possible here, and comfortable. The bespoke bookcase was made in the same oak veneer as the entrance hall, and we chose to panel the wall for greater coherence. Of course, as so often in renovation work, we strive to preserve the existing features that carry the history and charm of Paris. The joinery therefore aligns with the existing ceiling mouldings, which were neither altered nor buried behind protruding woodwork.

Living room opening onto the dining area, wooden peacock chair and kilim rug – apartment in Paris

Living room enfilade with black marble fireplace, gallery wall and light wood floor – apartment in Paris

Custom light oak bookcase with lit niche and black leather lounge chair – apartment in Paris

Bright living room with beige sofa, gallery wall and ceiling medallion – apartment in Paris

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The living space

The sitting room keeps its original position. But with the new layout, it now adjoins the kitchen, which was relocated and opened up. This arrangement creates a continuous living space, generous and luminous, in which each area remains clearly defined.

Oak desk below a large black-framed mirror, built-in shelves and bentwood chair – apartment in Paris

Midnight-blue hallway with bronze lacquered closets and oak display niches – apartment in Paris

Bathroom entrance with bronze closets and oak niche holding a statuette – apartment in Paris

Living room detail: black marble fireplace, ornate mirror and large painting – apartment in Paris

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The kitchen

Let us linger a moment on the kitchen. It opens onto the living room — yet a request we often hear is that it should not be too visible. The kitchen has become a true living space, where one lingers, entertains friends, shares an apéritif. But a kitchen fully open to the living room can quickly become demanding in daily use — it certainly asks a lot in terms of tidiness! So we partly concealed the space behind an existing partition end that we chose to keep. Within its thickness, a shelved unit bridges the two spaces. It “announces what follows” through a mandarin hue that reappears further on. Antiqued mirrors line the backs of the niches, reflecting natural light and adding an aged, timeless character.

The splashback was made of solid brass. Pairing the colours and materials was a true exercise in balance. The bar melts into the decor thanks to its wood veneer, and we deliberately installed no wall cabinets, for greater discretion. The tall units are tucked behind the partition, virtually invisible from the dining room. An open yet invisible kitchen: mission accomplished.

Kitchen detail: terracotta cabinets, brushed brass backsplash and painted screen – apartment in Paris

Terracotta kitchen with pull-out work surface and brass backsplash – apartment in Paris

Terracotta kitchen with brushed brass backsplash, gold fixtures and antique painting – apartment in Paris

Dining area with black oval table, large painted screen and terracotta kitchen – apartment in Paris

The master suite

One last space to visit: the master suite! Located at the opposite end from the sitting room, our work here focused on integrating the dressing room and the shower room. It is entirely possible to fit these volumes into a constrained space while guaranteeing both comfort and elegance. The bathroom materials are understated and pale. We kept joints to a minimum to create smooth planes of texture. The adjoining dressing room is finished in wood veneer.

Bedroom with terracotta walls, gray studded headboard and open closet – apartment in Paris

Terracotta-pink bedroom, antique portrait between closet and bathroom doors – apartment in Paris

Shower room in gray polished concrete, glass screen and oak vanity – apartment in Paris

Bathroom detail: integrated sink, black fixtures and double wall sconce – apartment in Paris

Shower detail: two-tone polished concrete and black fixtures – apartment in Paris