A Haussmann apartment reimagined

Paris is the ideal playground for any passionate interior designer! Our clients entrusted us with this project while they were still living in the United States. With lockdown in force, the entire design phase was handled remotely, and in complete confidence. What a pleasure it was, after a year of home office, to finally meet our clients in person and visit the site together.

This apartment came to us completely untouched, in its original state. The kitchen was, as so often, located at the far end from the living areas. It was moved to make way for an independent bedroom with a shower room and storage. Its new location was quickly settled: it was positioned close to the living and dining rooms, in a space graced by a magnificent curved trumeau mirror, which was preserved and now enhances the whole room.

Dining nook with white moldings, round table and colorful chairs, chevron floor – apartment in Paris, by Cotrel Studio, interior designer

Black and white kitchen beneath an arched gilt mirror and Haussmann moldings – apartment in Paris

Kitchen with white island, oak bar counter and wood column under white moldings – apartment in Paris

Kitchen detail: integrated sink, black faucet and gilt mirror on a paneled wall – apartment in Paris

Where to begin… the entrance? No, the dining room!

It sits on the courtyard side. The steel bow window was, of course, original. Facing north, the light it diffuses casts no shadows, caressing the furniture with a radiant softness. It is beautiful. But we can hardly take the credit: everything was already there. The light, the parquet, the cornices, the doors, the fireplaces. What a joy to practise this profession in the most beautiful city in the world!

This magnificent, light-filled space was therefore put to clever use. The furniture is mostly low, letting the light circulate and showing off the panelling. In front of the bow window, a small dining nook was created for everyday meals.

The living room, quintessentially Parisian, had every Haussmannian asset: Hungarian point parquet, mouldings, fireplaces, trumeau mirrors, glazed doors. All it needed was a well-chosen paint, a sanding of the parquet and timeless furnishings. Yet the work carried out here should not be underestimated: the entire electrical system was redone, allowing the lighting to be rethought and to play its part in the decor.

Living room with ornate cornice moldings, blue wall sculpture, camel sofa – apartment in Paris

Table setting detail: grid tablecloth, colored crystal glasses and pink flowers – apartment in Paris

Dining room with beige paneled walls, hidden door and linear black pendant light – apartment in Paris

Custom teal home office with floor-to-ceiling shelves and walnut desk, parquet – apartment in Paris

0104

Haussmann living room, white marble fireplace, bright blue armchairs and red rug – apartment in Paris

The bedroom quarters

The main bedroom includes dressing rooms and a bathroom. While the sleeping area is calm and restful, the bathing space takes on a theatrical air thanks to a magnificent mosaic reminiscent of early twentieth-century Parisian interiors. This mosaic resonates beautifully with the walnut-veneered furniture, which brings warmth to the space.

Bedroom with white paneled walls, paper globe pendant and gray curtains – apartment in Paris

Bedroom detail: dark wood niche set in white paneling, pink marble fireplace – apartment in Paris

Bedroom with gray curtains, white paneling and walnut wardrobe down the hallway – apartment in Paris

Bathroom in white and teal mosaic tile, curved bathtub and deep blue door – apartment in Paris

Bathroom detail: floating walnut vanity, brass faucet and pale mosaic tile – apartment in Paris

Mosaic-clad curved bathtub with brass fittings and teal tile floor – apartment in Paris

Shower room with white grid tile, bright yellow ceiling and leather mirror – apartment in Paris

Blue-gray bedroom opening onto a white-tiled shower room with yellow ceiling – apartment in Paris

0106