French Houzz: Extreme Makeover for Abandoned Parisian Apartment
This 20-square-metre apartment was once a service kitchen that hadn't been used for 30 years
When the owners of a dark former service kitchen contacted architect Stéphanie Bertina Minal and she saw it for the first time, she immediately saw past its dilapidated state. In her mind, the 20-square-metre space divided into three rooms had great potential. She was especially excited about the high ceilings, the original overhead mouldings, the beams and the balcony.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris
Size: 20 square metres, divided into 3 adjoining rooms, and a balcony
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris
Size: 20 square metres, divided into 3 adjoining rooms, and a balcony
The final result looks nothing like the dark service area it once was. Architect Stéphanie Bertina Minal was able to make the most of this strange three-room area by focusing on its assets. A prime example was the great discovery of beautiful timber beams that made the most of the high ceiling. These features blend in perfectly with the new tone of this apartment: a timeless touch in modern surrounds.
The corner bathroom was created from scratch. To compensate for the lack of natural light, a glass door was installed.
“A vertical luminous column was also added between the kitchen and the bathroom,” Minal says. The main electrical panels and fittings are stored behind a mirrored wall that visually enhances the size of the room and “avoids cluttering it with unneeded furniture.”
“A vertical luminous column was also added between the kitchen and the bathroom,” Minal says. The main electrical panels and fittings are stored behind a mirrored wall that visually enhances the size of the room and “avoids cluttering it with unneeded furniture.”
To maximise space, the technical elements of the kitchen are located along the wall. The laundry area is stored in the closet. The bright blue wall makes the kitchen stand out. This flashy colour is the result of a common desire for both the owners and the architect to give a strong character to the place. In order to showcase the quality materials and offer extra brightness, she also added LED lighting under the kitchen shelving and kickboards.
To unify all rooms of the apartment, timber-imitation tiling covers the entire floor. It’s both aesthetic and practical. “I also created the illusion of a carpet in the kitchen with the addition of cement tiles,” says Minal.
“The bathroom is a very compact area. The different fittings (shower, toilet, basin) were all chosen for their small dimensions,” Minal says. The heated towel rails are extra thin and the mirror conceals extra storage space. The purple mosaic tiles boost this room and echo the bedroom. The shower features timber-imitation tiles that are easy to maintain. Also, this bathroom without natural light is surprisingly bright, thanks to the glass door.
The former loggia leading to the balcony served as a storage area but the doors now open to a large garden. Mirror doors were installed on the closets. This room, serving now as a study, boasts plenty of natural light but required waterproofing for it to be functional.
“Never be defeated by lack of space; a study can be only a foldable table away,” Minal says.
“Never be defeated by lack of space; a study can be only a foldable table away,” Minal says.