An understated, elegant apartment, entirely rethought

Back from London, our clients had just found their new home when they contacted us. The apartment they had set their hearts on had long been used as a seasonal rental. Its layout bore no resemblance to what one expects of a family apartment: cramped, poorly arranged spaces, awkward circulation, natural light left untapped. There was work to be done!

The apartments renovated by Cotrel Studio are most often organised so that the sleeping quarters are independent of the living areas. This arrangement is extremely comfortable. It gives the bedrooms the privacy they deserve and frees up the daytime spaces, making it effortless to welcome guests.

Kitchen under crown molding, black marble island and metal cabinets – apartment in Paris, by Cotrel Studio, interior designer

The kitchen, a key element of the project

The kitchen is a true living space. It is the first room one encounters after the entrance. We therefore decided to install a large full-height glazed door between the two spaces, designed by our studio. When open, its uprights align to create a fluid, unobstructed opening. When closed, it shuts out noise while letting the light through.

Kitchen detail: white counter, steel sink and brushed metal upper cabinets – apartment in Paris

Open kitchen with black marble island, steel-framed glass wall and herringbone parquet – apartment in Paris

The dining room naturally adjoins the kitchen. Bright and full of light, it acts as a transition between the kitchen and the salon. Next to the dining room lies a wholly unexpected space. A small existing alcove was exploited to the full. The colours, the banquette, the velvet curtains — everything here evokes a theatre stage. The children play in it, and the parents rest there. When the stage is empty, its aesthetic blends seamlessly into the room. It is one of the apartment’s hot spots!

Haussmann dining room, white marble table and paneled double doors – apartment in Paris

Dining room, marble table with a view of the stained glass through the double doors – apartment in Paris

Dining room opening onto the kitchen, moldings and herringbone parquet – apartment in Paris

And then, the salons...

Two relaxation areas were created in this apartment. One was installed beside the dining table. It complements the other salon, which holds that most coveted of objects — the one we are always so keen to hide: the television!

Let us pause on the details: a sublime stained-glass window was already in the apartment when we took on this project. As is often the case, its colours are fairly bold. The apartment’s natural light and its typically Haussmannian style meant it could be kept as it was and restored without compromising the overall brightness.

Bay window with yellow and blue stained glass and bench seat, seen through the glass partition – apartment in Paris

Detail of vintage stained glass in yellow, blue and pink beside the window seat – apartment in Paris

Close-up of the stained glass: textured panes, yellow border and colored cabochons – apartment in Paris

Flower-filled balcony with a cast-iron table facing an Art Nouveau facade – apartment in Paris

Living room with midnight-blue window nook, velvet cushions and dining room beyond – apartment in Paris

Haussmann living room with marble fireplace, gilt mirror and gray chaise longue – apartment in Paris

The apartment has two bathrooms and three bedrooms. Each bedroom enjoys an identical footprint. The wardrobes are built in, leaving the space entirely free. The master dressing room sits in a passageway outside the bedroom, finished with one-way mirrored glass fronts. When lit from within, the interior comes into view — then vanishes when the light goes out.

The bathroom colours are bold and fully embraced. They set off the apartment’s generous ceiling height. The lighting was carefully worked to provide the level of brightness such a space demands, combining beauty and practicality!

Walk-in closet with smoked glass doors opening toward a leafy window – apartment in Paris

Bedroom with carved wood fireplace, stained glass window and linen curtains – apartment in Paris

Bathroom detail: midnight-blue zellige tiles and copper basin – apartment in Paris

Bathroom with leafy wallpaper, white stone sink and built-in niches – apartment in Paris

Shower room in veined gray marble, white vanity and wood floor – apartment in Paris

Gray marble bathroom with backlit round mirror and white basin – apartment in Paris

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