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Before & After
Paris Before & After: All Bright in Black and White
Flexible, multi-functional spaces – plus a bright palette – were key to making the most of this tired French apartment
When the couple who own this 63-square-metre apartment moved in with their three-year-old daughter, it was clear it needed a redesign. They asked interior design firm Atelier Germain to make the most of each space in their new family home, which is nestled in the central 15th arrondissement of Paris, France. The goal? To bring in light, facilitate flow between the spaces and integrate as much custom furniture as possible to create a contemporary, graphic and ultra bright cocoon.
The original floor plan.
The apartment’s existing layout was typical of old Parisian homes, with enclosed rooms, each with a unique function, arranged in a row and opening into one another.
There were lots of drawbacks: there wasn’t enough storage, the compartmentalised layout and hallway reduced the available floor space, the position of the kitchen was impractical, there was no office or guest bedroom, and the entrance was very dark. Interior designer Alexa Funès completely redesigned the layout to suit the lifestyle of a modern family.
The apartment’s existing layout was typical of old Parisian homes, with enclosed rooms, each with a unique function, arranged in a row and opening into one another.
There were lots of drawbacks: there wasn’t enough storage, the compartmentalised layout and hallway reduced the available floor space, the position of the kitchen was impractical, there was no office or guest bedroom, and the entrance was very dark. Interior designer Alexa Funès completely redesigned the layout to suit the lifestyle of a modern family.
The proposed floor plan.
Funès moved all of the rooms around and opened up the kitchen to gain light and space. The result is a large and open living room bathed in light.
Struggling with a dysfunctional floor plan? Find an interior designer near you to give your home the overhaul it deserves
Funès moved all of the rooms around and opened up the kitchen to gain light and space. The result is a large and open living room bathed in light.
Struggling with a dysfunctional floor plan? Find an interior designer near you to give your home the overhaul it deserves
The entrance before works.
In the previously dark entrance, Funès updated it with a white palette to bring in as much light as possible.
In the previously dark entrance, Funès updated it with a white palette to bring in as much light as possible.
The entrance after works.
Sanded and varnished, the original chevron flooring is now paired with white walls in order to create a restrained and timeless space. To bring more light into this once-dim part of the apartment, Funès put in a small internal window between the hallway and the kitchen (pictured here on the left).
Sanded and varnished, the original chevron flooring is now paired with white walls in order to create a restrained and timeless space. To bring more light into this once-dim part of the apartment, Funès put in a small internal window between the hallway and the kitchen (pictured here on the left).
The entrance during works.
The owners went for a bespoke floor-to-ceiling storage unit to make the most of this space.
The owners went for a bespoke floor-to-ceiling storage unit to make the most of this space.
The entrance after works.
Funès worked as much storage into the unit as possible. The elegant brown leather pulls match an open niche finished in a light wood, which serves as a drop zone for keys and bags. An extra-small seat with curved lines completes the multi-functional module.
Funès worked as much storage into the unit as possible. The elegant brown leather pulls match an open niche finished in a light wood, which serves as a drop zone for keys and bags. An extra-small seat with curved lines completes the multi-functional module.
The kitchen during works.
The old closed-off kitchen, which opened to the entrance, was too small and not functional enough for the family’s day-to-day life.
The old closed-off kitchen, which opened to the entrance, was too small and not functional enough for the family’s day-to-day life.
Funès kept the cooking space in its original position within the floor plan, though the new kitchen now opens directly onto the living room. A separate laundry can be accessed through a door at the back of the kitchen.
The kitchen after works.
In opening the space up, they prioritised accentuating the feeling of spaciousness in the social areas.
In opening the space up, they prioritised accentuating the feeling of spaciousness in the social areas.
Here, the couple went for an interplay of strong graphic patterns comprised of boldly patterned tiles, which they matched with a duo of light colours on the upper and lower kitchen cabinets. A series of black details underscore the whole to create contemporary decor wreathed with light.
The metal-framed internal window that brings light through to the entrance adds an airy geometric touch on the kitchen side of the wall, creating visual breathing room between the overhead cabinets.
The splashback is finished in bright white tiles that reflect light and create a strong contrast with the black-framed glass and matching handles.
The living room before works.
The old living room was done up in yellow tones and was cramped and impractical. Funès preserved the original black-marble fireplace to bring a touch of character to this space; the decor now plays up the contrast to create a warm, modern ambiance.
The old living room was done up in yellow tones and was cramped and impractical. Funès preserved the original black-marble fireplace to bring a touch of character to this space; the decor now plays up the contrast to create a warm, modern ambiance.
The dining area after works.
Funès transformed the space into a dining room where the family can get together for comfortable meals. The chimney in the corner is underscored by a charcoal shade that picks up on the black details in the furniture and decor.
Funès transformed the space into a dining room where the family can get together for comfortable meals. The chimney in the corner is underscored by a charcoal shade that picks up on the black details in the furniture and decor.
“The way the colours are matched creates a visual rhythm in each space to create a whole with decided character. We used natural paints developed by Atelier Germain for the whole of this project, while most of the furniture comes from the European Union,” says Funès, who is committed to a more sustainable approach in designing interiors.
Timber takes centrestage in the dining area next to the kitchen, with a dining table that sports a retro, mid-century feel. The interplay of graphic patterns extends to the walls, with a black border that separates top and bottom.
The owners wanted to incorporate a compact and functional office corner. Funès positioned it in the living room space, under another internal window identical to the one in the kitchen, which made it possible to optimise both areas and improve light flow.
This custom joinery is completed with a sideboard on the dining-room side of the wall. “The goal was to put as many functions as possible into this bright, sociable and flexible living area,” says Funès.
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The living space (background) and dining area (foreground) during works.
This space used to be a bedroom.
This space used to be a bedroom.
The living space (background) and dining area (foreground) after works.
The owners wanted a social space that could occasionally double as a guest room. To achieve this, Funès ingeniously incorporated a bi-fold door to separate the two sections when needed, transforming half the room into a closed-off office or an independent and private guest room.
The owners wanted a social space that could occasionally double as a guest room. To achieve this, Funès ingeniously incorporated a bi-fold door to separate the two sections when needed, transforming half the room into a closed-off office or an independent and private guest room.
Retro accents add warmth to the room, punctuated by two bookcases in niches on either side of the sofa.
This space picks up on the palette from the dining room to create a coherent whole.
The dining room before works.
The couple’s bedroom is situated in what used to be the dining room. Here the owners asked Funès to work in as much storage as possible without overloading the space.
The couple’s bedroom is situated in what used to be the dining room. Here the owners asked Funès to work in as much storage as possible without overloading the space.
The main bedroom after works.
Today, this custom multi-functional headboard unit incorporates several closets as well as a shelf and bedside tables.
Today, this custom multi-functional headboard unit incorporates several closets as well as a shelf and bedside tables.
Mixing white and light timber, as in the entrance, the joinery unit is finished with a wallpaper displaying a wave motif in soft tones.
The wall across from the bed is finished in an elegant muted tone in order to create a warm and pleasant feel in the space.
The bedroom before works.
Previously a bedroom, this narrow space is now the nursery for the owners’ little daughter.
Previously a bedroom, this narrow space is now the nursery for the owners’ little daughter.
The bedroom after works.
“To bring life to this space, we decorated the walls with an appliqué in a delicate powder tone,” says Funès.
The pieces of furniture combine white and light wood, completing this pared-back and understated space. Curtains with a geometric pattern add a lively touch.
The pieces of furniture combine white and light wood, completing this pared-back and understated space. Curtains with a geometric pattern add a lively touch.
The bathroom before works.
The old bathroom was transformed into a modern and ultra-geometric space.
The old bathroom was transformed into a modern and ultra-geometric space.
Funès disposed of the shower enclosure, which had reached the end of its life, in order to create a new, ultra-functional space.
The bathroom after works.
Patterned tiles add some pep to the new bathroom, decorated with elegant black and white decor.
Patterned tiles add some pep to the new bathroom, decorated with elegant black and white decor.
The new, generously proportioned shower includes a niche decorated in black tiles, with an integrated bench and storage.
The powder room before works.
Positioned near the entrance, the old powder room is now unrecognisable, its decor now fitting with the rest of the apartment.
Positioned near the entrance, the old powder room is now unrecognisable, its decor now fitting with the rest of the apartment.
The powder room after works.
Black edging separates the white tiles from the powdery shade of pink at the top of the walls. The couple went for retro cement tiles on the floor; the sink is located to the left of the door.
After two-and-a-half months of work, the owners were able to explore and enjoy their new home.
Your turn
Which room in this home is your favourite and why? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Craving another great transformation? Enjoy this Before & After: A Small Beachside Unit’s Funky Kitchen Makeover
Black edging separates the white tiles from the powdery shade of pink at the top of the walls. The couple went for retro cement tiles on the floor; the sink is located to the left of the door.
After two-and-a-half months of work, the owners were able to explore and enjoy their new home.
Your turn
Which room in this home is your favourite and why? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Craving another great transformation? Enjoy this Before & After: A Small Beachside Unit’s Funky Kitchen Makeover
Apartment at a Glance
Who lives here: A family with one child
Location: Paris, France
Ground floor area: 63 square metres
Duration of work: 2.5 months
Year completed: 2021
Interior designer: Alexa Funès, founder of Atelier Germain