- The elegance of experience -
- The elegance of experience -
Located on the outskirts of Paris, this millstone house needed to offer a warm and functional interior to accommodate a family of four. The spaces have been completely redesigned to provide comfort, light, and conviviality on a daily basis.
The interior is organized on several levels. The ground floor features a large, light-filled living area comprising a living room, dining room, and open kitchen designed as a true gathering place. On the first floor, a master suite with a small workshop sits alongside a guest bedroom. Finally, the second floor is entirely dedicated to the children, with their bedrooms and a family room designed for getting together and sharing family moments.
The clients were very involved throughout this project. In particular, they sourced most of the lighting and furniture themselves and actively participated in the choice of colors, adding a very personal touch to the whole house.
The entrance to this house is enhanced by various details: mirrors that enlarge the space, color, and carefully redesigned details such as cement tiles. The original pattern has been retained to preserve the history of the place, while the colors have been revisited to match the project. This pattern continues in the toilet and boot room. The radiator cover has also been custom-made.
The old kitchen has been converted into a boot room. This space serves as an entrance hall for the occupants of the house. Designed as a functional area for everyday use, it provides easy storage thanks to a number of custom-made storage solutions: a bench, coat hooks, shelves, and cupboards. A cement tile “carpet,” identical to those in the main entrance, structures the space, while herringbone parquet flooring adds comfort and warmth to the rest of the room.
The major asset of this house is its large T-shaped open space, combining the living room, open kitchen, and dining room. Each space blends naturally with the others, thanks to subtle boundaries that structure the volumes while preserving the fluidity and conviviality of the whole.
In the living room, an existing alcove, which had previously been unused, has been enhanced by the creation of a black “box” incorporating a custom-made bench in front of the windows. This space has been transformed into a reading corner bathed in natural light, offering a privileged view of the rear garden. The existing ceiling lights and floor heating grilles have been retained, as has the magnificent original ceiling.
In the kitchen, a fireplace was installed where the stove used to be in order to integrate the hood while maintaining a strong decorative character. Custom molded casing was designed, giving the impression that it had always been part of the space. The clients wanted a richly crafted English-style kitchen: molded facades, glass-fronted cupboards, niches for appliances, and worktops with a beveled edge finish. The central island, the true heart of the home, incorporates a utility sink and a table used daily by the family. The superb existing ceiling has been preserved, with spotlights discreetly integrated into the decor. The Guarnieri-Tempia zellige tile backsplash and wallpaper complete the look.
Located in the former office, the dining room retains its original fireplace and trumeau, reflecting the historic character of the house. Custom wallpaper by Ananbô adorns the space. Large accordion glass doors have been installed to create direct access between the kitchen and dining room, improving circulation and enhancing the conviviality of the reception areas.
The floors are accessible directly from the entrance, thanks to the large original staircase, which has been restored. The first level provides direct access to the master bedroom, whose original cornices have been preserved and highlighted. Wallpaper emphasizes the elegant and intimate character of the room.
An opening has been created to provide direct access to the small workshop, which also serves as a dressing room. The fireplace has been removed to free up space. The cornices have been modified to pass in front of the storage units and fully integrate the dressing room into the room. The dressing room doors feature small-paned mirrors. High storage units are accessible via a removable ladder that slides along a bar and can be moved over the desk. A sink concealed in the storage units allows the client to clean her brushes when she paints. The corbel-style desk echoes that of the kitchen.
The bathroom features a black and white color scheme, with particularly elaborate wall and floor tiling. The bathtub is clad in molded wood paneling, echoing the doors of the vanity unit. Mirrored cupboards conceal technical elements for a more refined look.
The second room on the upper floor houses both a guest suite and an office for everyday use. The existing fireplace was removed to free up the space needed to install a large bed and a comfortable desk. A shower room was created in place of two former dressing rooms.
Originally narrow and partitioned, the landing provided access to a storage room and a bathroom. The partition was removed and the railing extended, enlarging the space and allowing full use of the natural light provided by the large existing skylight in the roof. A low, openwork cane storage unit was incorporated.
The first bedroom has a blue color scheme. The bed is framed by built-in wardrobes, optimizing storage space. The walls are painted in blue and white stripes, complemented by decorative wallpaper.
The second children's bedroom has been designed to be both fun and functional. A loft bed with built-in bookshelves is accessed via a staircase whose steps also serve as storage space for books. Underneath the bed, two cupboards provide storage for toys; equipped with lighting that comes on when opened, they create a small play area inside. Once the doors are closed, the mess disappears! The wallpaper, purchased by the clients in the United States, adds a personal and unique touch to the room.
Finally, the last room was designed as a small family cinema. The clients wanted an enveloping atmosphere, with a very large television and a generous bookcase occupying an entire wall. Tartan wallpaper reinforces the warm and cozy character of the room.
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