A Parisian Haussmannian Apartment Transformed into a Contemporary Art Oasis
Architect Rebecca Benichou of Batiik Studio reimagines a historic Paris home, blending Haussmannian grandeur with modern minimalism to showcase a stunning art collection.
A Hidden Garden in the Heart of Paris
“It’s like a small forest,” says architect Rebecca Benichou, describing the enchanting private garden that sold her clients—an art-collecting couple—on this rare Parisian property. Nestled in the city center, the 3,000-square-foot garden is as expansive as the apartment itself, offering a verdant retreat amid Haussmannian elegance.
“The kind of house you never find,” Benichou adds, emphasizing its uniqueness. For Batiik Studio, the Paris-based interior architecture firm she founded with creative director Florence Jallet, this project marked an exciting departure from their usual work—transforming tiny flats (some as compact as 120 square feet) into imaginative, bespoke spaces.
The Challenge: Balancing History and Modernity
The two-level apartment, part of a 19th-century Haussmannian mansion, was brimming with ornate details—elaborate moldings, gilded mirrors, marble fireplaces, and intricate murals—that overwhelmed the space. While these features exuded old-world charm, they clashed with the owners’ contemporary art collection, which included works by:
- Craig Hanna (figurative painting)
- Eva Jospin (mixed media)
- Kader Attia & Simone Fattal (sculptures)
“They were too much,” Benichou recalls. The goal? Preserve the home’s historic bones while creating a minimalist backdrop for bold modern art.
Key Design Interventions
- Reining in the Ornamentation
- Removed oversized gilded mirrors and redundant fireplaces.
- Replaced mantels with warm cherry wood shelving for a softer, functional touch.
- Relocated the staircase to improve flow.
- A Clever Solution for Overbearing Moldings
Instead of stripping away the historic moldings entirely, Benichou introduced custom white wall panels that:
- Partially conceal decorative elements, creating clean surfaces for art.
- Curve organically around existing details, adding sculptural depth.
- Remain reversible, allowing future owners to restore the original walls. “Like a veil over the past,” she describes, blending preservation with innovation.
- Sculptural Furniture & Bold Geometry
- A facetted travertine fireplace anchors the living room, its sharp angles contrasting with Haussmannian curves.
- A ceramic-topped dining table swoops dynamically into the room, doubling as a stage for rotating sculptures.
- Concrete “building blocks” form a minimalist bed frame and library in the guest room.
The Basement: A Blank Canvas for Creativity
Unlike the ornate main floor, the basement was a modern blank slate. The owners wanted space for artistic pursuits—painting, ceramics, and more—so Benichou and Jallet designed:
- An atelier with recessed geometric plaster patterns.
- A moody blue TV room with Tetris-like wall textures.
- Brutalist concrete furniture, turning functional pieces into art displays.
The Final Result: A Harmonious Dialogue Between Past and Present
When the clients moved in with their vintage furniture and collectible art, the home truly came to life. Natural light streamed through the windows, illuminating the garden views, while the pared-back interiors elevated each artwork.
“There was a dialogue between the two that just became one,” Benichou reflects. “It was meant to be.”
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