A 657-Sq-Ft Parisian Apartment Transformed by Clever Design

Nestled in a classic Haussmann-style building on Paris’s Richard Lenoir Street, this 657-square-foot apartment is a masterclass in space optimization and elegant interior design. Architect and interior designer Juliette Robeil purchased the property two and a half years ago, fulfilling her long-held dream of reimagining a Haussmannian space. By restructuring the layout converting three rooms into two and introducing an open kitchen facing the living area maximized both functionality and aesthetic harmony.

Strategic Spatial Reconfiguration

Robeil’s redesign centered on fluid movement and visual expansion. The kitchen doubles as a bar, enhancing entertainment space, while an arched doorway inspired by existing architectural detailsbframes the bathroom entrance and living room passage. A mirrored hallway amplifies natural light and echoes the living room’s arched windows, creating a sense of depth. “It’s a contemporary touch that contrasts beautifully with the apartment’s original moldings, fireplace, and cornices,” Robeil notes.

Natural Materials and Timeless Elegance

The apartment’s neutral palette and organic textures reflect Robeil’s commitment to natural materials:

Brazilian quartzite and Calacatta marble unify the kitchen, bathroom floors, and built-in elements like the bathtub and bar.
Reflective surfaces, including strategically placed mirrors, amplify light and soften structural features. “The goal was to create the illusion of a larger space,” Robeil explains.
Original herringbone parquet flooring, meticulously restored, flows seamlessly into the kitchen, where a raised bar adds lightness despite the stone’s density.

Multifunctional and Custom Design

Every element serves dual purposes:

A custom dark oak dining table (designed by Robeil) pairs with vintage Bertoia chairs, Kimbu stools, and an Eero Saarinen Tulip chair.
The window-side bench provides storage and seating, while its open lower shelf maintains sightlines to the apartment’s entrance.
In the bathroom, veined Calacatta marble contrasts with matte micro-cement walls, and copper fixtures echo the stone’s warm undertones. A circular smoked mirror offsets the room’s linearity, nodding to the arched motif.

Unexpected Material Contrasts

Robeil embraced bold juxtapositions:

The quartzite-topped dining table resists stains while mirroring the kitchen island’s material.
In the bathroom, the marble’s “imperfect” patterning became a focal point. “I loved the contrasts it created,” Robeil says, highlighting the stone with mirrored reflections that shift throughout the day.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

This Parisian apartment exemplifies how intelligent design can transform compact spaces into functional yet luxurious homes. Robeil’s use of natural materials and mirrored surfaces cleverly enhances the sense of space, though a deeper exploration of storage solutions for small-scale living could have added further practicality. Nevertheless, her ability to balance Haussmannian grandeur with modern minimalism is remarkable. The seamless integration of custom and vintage pieces not only elevates the aesthetic but also proves that even the smallest spaces can feel expansive and intentional.