Houzz Tours
Paris Before & After: A Little Kitchen That's Big on Personality
Who says you can't have a dream kitchen in under four square metres? Not the pro who created this pretty, petite space
What makes a dream kitchen? Most might list generous proportions and a space that’s open to the living room. Does this mean that tiny, enclosed kitchens are doomed to be undesirable? That’s not the case for the woman who recently bought this two-room apartment with a 3.5-square-metre enclosed kitchen in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, France. Her gorgeous renovation is sure to inspire anyone who is struggling to bring some style to a small, sequestered kitchen.
Luckily, Castellani loves a challenge. Her first one? Two years ago, she hung up her legal gowns to concentrate fully on interior design, her lifelong passion. Her second challenge? Redesigning this tiny kitchen.
Despite the size constraints, this project went very smoothly: the planning was completed in 10 days, and two weeks later the owner could cook in her new kitchen.
Despite the size constraints, this project went very smoothly: the planning was completed in 10 days, and two weeks later the owner could cook in her new kitchen.
“It was a huge challenge because it was a very busy project for such a small space. My client wanted to include a large fridge, dishwasher, washer-dryer, and large oven,” says Castellani.
Castellani used software to configure the best layout, specifically one that would create as much work space as possible, rearranging blocks of elements by size. “I started by placing the tall refrigerator, the largest piece. There was only one possible place for it due to existing constraints, so it’s on the right as you enter,” she says. Next, Castellani played Tetris with the other features until she found the right fit.
Searching for a kitchen designer? Find one near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Castellani used software to configure the best layout, specifically one that would create as much work space as possible, rearranging blocks of elements by size. “I started by placing the tall refrigerator, the largest piece. There was only one possible place for it due to existing constraints, so it’s on the right as you enter,” she says. Next, Castellani played Tetris with the other features until she found the right fit.
Searching for a kitchen designer? Find one near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients
Previously, the original 1.54 x 2.33-metre kitchen had not been renovated for at least 50 years. For budgetary – but also aesthetic – reasons, the owner and designer agreed to keep the opus signinum floor (a paving-like technique using broken tiles) and the pantry under the window. “I’m a huge fan of all these elements that reflect the history of a building. I insist on keeping them and didn’t have to convince the homeowner, who also loved them,” says Castellani.
The load-bearing column on the left and the gas meter near the hot-water heater made optimising the layout even more challenging. The position of the meter couldn’t be moved, so Castellani kept it as though it were another historical element, and cleverly hid it between the shelves. She replaced the gas hot-water heater with an extra-flat electric hot-water tank concealed above the three side wall units.
The load-bearing column on the left and the gas meter near the hot-water heater made optimising the layout even more challenging. The position of the meter couldn’t be moved, so Castellani kept it as though it were another historical element, and cleverly hid it between the shelves. She replaced the gas hot-water heater with an extra-flat electric hot-water tank concealed above the three side wall units.
This mini-kitchen’s design is especially inspiring given the tight budget. Most of the fittings – cabinet carcasses and fronts, skirting boards, benchtops, splashback tiles, taps, handles, and more – were purchased from Leroy Merlin, a home improvement store. “This brand’s kitchen furniture is better suited to small spaces because the cabinet sizes can be mixed and matched more easily than others,” says Castellani.
To find the perfect ambiance, Castellani asked the owner to send her some inspirational photos. Among them, she noted her “taste for a holiday feel and love of plants and the Mediterranean.”
Browse more compact kitchens for inspiration
To find the perfect ambiance, Castellani asked the owner to send her some inspirational photos. Among them, she noted her “taste for a holiday feel and love of plants and the Mediterranean.”
Browse more compact kitchens for inspiration
To ensure the newly renovated kitchen would be chic but not feel dated too quickly, the interior designer suggested a sleek black-and-white base. Warm wooden details and a botanical wallpaper bring warmth and life to the entire space. “The homeowner loved it and has made almost no changes,” says Castellani of the scheme.
The interior designer used beautiful details including brass handles and Bakelite power sockets to liven up the decor. “These are old gold-toned brass handles from the furniture section instead of the kitchen. They are much more decorative,” she says.
Need a pro for your kitchen renovating project?
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
They considered putting in a wooden benchtop, but the owner preferred white melamine. “For an extra €2,000 (currently around AU$3,100), we could have installed a Silestone quartz countertop, which would have immediately given it a very chic look, but sticking to the budget was essential,” says Castellani.
The designer loves to turn constraints into strengths in her work. Therefore, she decided to use the supporting pillar as an aesthetic asset. Seen here, the matt-black paint on the pillar makes the decorative woven seagrass trays pop. “We were worried about the pillar, but we worked around it,” she says.
The oak cabinets, which hold a selection of beautiful, enamelled stoneware dishes, also make the entire space come to life. The benchtop goes well with the cleverly designed mix-and-match decor.
The oak cabinets, which hold a selection of beautiful, enamelled stoneware dishes, also make the entire space come to life. The benchtop goes well with the cleverly designed mix-and-match decor.
The kitchen during construction.
Because the homeowner had already brought in an electrician to redo the wiring before hiring the interior designer, the renovation was done on the spot. Castellani could only install the kitchen following the electrical work.
“It’s not ideal. It’s better to find a design professional first, and they will choose a specialist they trust,” she says. “Firstly, an interior designer makes aesthetic choices and independently manages the appropriate supply orders. The specialist will buy the products the same day and, if they can’t find what they need, replace them with the right supplies,” she says.
Because the homeowner had already brought in an electrician to redo the wiring before hiring the interior designer, the renovation was done on the spot. Castellani could only install the kitchen following the electrical work.
“It’s not ideal. It’s better to find a design professional first, and they will choose a specialist they trust,” she says. “Firstly, an interior designer makes aesthetic choices and independently manages the appropriate supply orders. The specialist will buy the products the same day and, if they can’t find what they need, replace them with the right supplies,” she says.
The hot-water heater was Castellani’s biggest disappointment. The size she had in mind was not available, so she had to opt for a larger model, which protrudes from the three tall cabinets and required an additional glued laminated oak cover.
Castellani was grateful for the builders’ tiling skills and care in installing the shelves and, in the end, everything went smoothly. As for the owner, she was so pleased with the result that she commissioned the interior designer to revamp other rooms in the apartment.
Castellani was grateful for the builders’ tiling skills and care in installing the shelves and, in the end, everything went smoothly. As for the owner, she was so pleased with the result that she commissioned the interior designer to revamp other rooms in the apartment.
Elevation B of the kitchen.
Your turn
Which ideas have you picked up from this redesign for your own small kitchen? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images, and join the renovation conversation.
More
For another great redesign, check out this Before & After: A Spacious Bathroom With All the Amenities
Your turn
Which ideas have you picked up from this redesign for your own small kitchen? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images, and join the renovation conversation.
More
For another great redesign, check out this Before & After: A Spacious Bathroom With All the Amenities
Apartment at a Glance
Who lives here: A woman
Location: Paris, France
Size: A 32-square-metre apartment with a 3.5-square-metre kitchen
Renovation completed: July 2021, after two weeks of renovation
Interior designer: Pauline Castellani of Lupo Design et Agencement d’Espaces
Impossible to move or open up, this tiny, 1.54 x 2.33-metre kitchen situated at the apartment’s entrance had not been renovated since the ’50s or ’60s.
Looking for someone to help freshen it up, the owner turned to Houzz. After she filled out the Project Match questionnaire, Houzz put her in touch with Pauline Castellani, founder of Lupo Design et Agencement d’Espaces