Houzz Tours
House Tours
Houzz Tour: Classic Parisian Style Revives a Small Apartment
Before and after photos show how a brilliant layout rejig and elegant decor have transformed this tiny flat
Once you fall in love with Paris, it’s hard to resist the lure of the historic areas of the city. That’s exactly what happened to this German couple, who decided to buy a 76 sq m pied-à-terre in the charming quarter of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the central 6th arrondissement.
Although the flat had already been renovated, the layout and lack of light weren’t the right fit for the new owners. As they’re based in Berlin, they turned to Houzz to find a Parisian designer and came across the work of Anne Chemineau of Decor Interieur. Her expertise in managing remote building works and the recent successful renovation of a 160 sq m apartment for British clients convinced them to entrust her with transforming their new haven in the City of Light.
To see more great projects where the homeowner found their professional via Houzz, take a look at our Born on Houzz series.
Although the flat had already been renovated, the layout and lack of light weren’t the right fit for the new owners. As they’re based in Berlin, they turned to Houzz to find a Parisian designer and came across the work of Anne Chemineau of Decor Interieur. Her expertise in managing remote building works and the recent successful renovation of a 160 sq m apartment for British clients convinced them to entrust her with transforming their new haven in the City of Light.
To see more great projects where the homeowner found their professional via Houzz, take a look at our Born on Houzz series.
The flat occupies the entire fourth floor of one of the old, narrow buildings typical of the area. As this ‘before’ plan shows, it had an unusual layout.
Two distinct corridors extended from the entrance: to the right, a small pathway led to a cloakroom and the kitchen, relegated to the side facing the courtyard at the back of the property.
To the left, a wider corridor provided access to a large room overlooking the courtyard, a windowless bathroom and two living areas on the street-facing side, including one with an alcove.
“The elongated layout and two corridors weren’t the only challenges,” Anne says. “A step separated the two living rooms and, since we initially looked at bringing them together, we had some apprehensions about what surprises could be hidden underneath.”
Two distinct corridors extended from the entrance: to the right, a small pathway led to a cloakroom and the kitchen, relegated to the side facing the courtyard at the back of the property.
To the left, a wider corridor provided access to a large room overlooking the courtyard, a windowless bathroom and two living areas on the street-facing side, including one with an alcove.
“The elongated layout and two corridors weren’t the only challenges,” Anne says. “A step separated the two living rooms and, since we initially looked at bringing them together, we had some apprehensions about what surprises could be hidden underneath.”
The owners requested three bedrooms – one for them; a baby’s room, and a cosy guest room.
Elsewhere, they were in need of the fundamental features of a comfortable apartment: a spacious living room, a user-friendly kitchen, a bathroom – and air conditioning. “It’s almost now a standard for foreigners in Paris,” Anne says.
As for the aesthetics, the Berliners had a clear ask: recreate the charm and chic design of beautiful Parisian apartments without forgetting touches of bold hues in a palette of greens and blues, their favourite colours.
Elsewhere, they were in need of the fundamental features of a comfortable apartment: a spacious living room, a user-friendly kitchen, a bathroom – and air conditioning. “It’s almost now a standard for foreigners in Paris,” Anne says.
As for the aesthetics, the Berliners had a clear ask: recreate the charm and chic design of beautiful Parisian apartments without forgetting touches of bold hues in a palette of greens and blues, their favourite colours.
Before Photo
From the entrance, the largest of the two corridors stretched out into the living areas facing the street, seen here before work began. Two large cupboards on the right marred the view, leaving a space that didn’t feel ideal.
Find reviewed architects and interior designers in your area on Houzz.
Find reviewed architects and interior designers in your area on Houzz.
Anne suggested something bold to transform the entrance: an elegant and softly curved bench with multiple purposes (wardrobe, shoe rack and cover for the fuse box and hot-water tank). A thick velvet curtain opposite keeps draughts from the stairwell out of the entrance – a tradition from grand apartments in Paris.
Extending from the bench are several matching cupboards offering more storage space and concealing two portable air conditioners, chosen as a solution to deal with potential heatwaves.
The unit is painted in a rich green, and the previously dull corridor has been boosted with a woodland theme, courtesy of the wall mural. “This green makeover creates a breath of fresh air from city life that this young family wanted,” Anne says.
Wall painted in Eucalyptus, Ressource. Wall mural, PaperMint.
Extending from the bench are several matching cupboards offering more storage space and concealing two portable air conditioners, chosen as a solution to deal with potential heatwaves.
The unit is painted in a rich green, and the previously dull corridor has been boosted with a woodland theme, courtesy of the wall mural. “This green makeover creates a breath of fresh air from city life that this young family wanted,” Anne says.
Wall painted in Eucalyptus, Ressource. Wall mural, PaperMint.
Before Photo
This photo shows the two once-separate living areas and was taken during Anne’s first visit. The owners had already moved into the flat briefly to enjoy their Parisian getaways without having to book a hotel.
They didn’t manage to adapt the second living room due to the partition and step. However, they loved the alcove in the main living area, which they made into a dining room.
They didn’t manage to adapt the second living room due to the partition and step. However, they loved the alcove in the main living area, which they made into a dining room.
Anne immediately considered reducing the length of the main corridor, which could have been done by removing the existing alcove. But for the owners, this nook was a real symbol of Parisian charm, so they insisted on keeping it.
Expanding on the idea, Anne thought of creating a second alcove in the open-plan living room, perfectly meeting the requirement for an additional sleeping area. The proposal won the clients over.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
Expanding on the idea, Anne thought of creating a second alcove in the open-plan living room, perfectly meeting the requirement for an additional sleeping area. The proposal won the clients over.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
Before Photo
Here’s the main living area in its original state. Puzzled by the step separating the two rooms, Anne investigated the lower floors of the building. The reassuring news was that this gap wasn’t present in the flat below.
As a precaution, they consulted a structural design firm to check if opening up both living rooms would be possible. A steel beam had to be fitted across the ceiling to compensate for removing the partition wall, which had become semi-load-bearing over time, and ensure that it could support the load.
As a precaution, they consulted a structural design firm to check if opening up both living rooms would be possible. A steel beam had to be fitted across the ceiling to compensate for removing the partition wall, which had become semi-load-bearing over time, and ensure that it could support the load.
In the newly opened up second living room, the guest room/home office was designed with inspiration from the 1900s. “We considered many ways to close it off while keeping lots of light,” Anne says. “In the end, we selected an oak window with soundproof double glazing that could be covered with velvet curtains.”
For these lovers of classic Parisian style, Anne suggested decorating the room with wallpaper showing the capital’s main landmarks, such as Notre-Dame, the Luxembourg Palace, Saint-Germain-des-Prés church, and the Tuileries Garden. “They really loved this wallpaper, which was first produced in 1812 by the manufacturer Dufour and has taken 40 hours to restore digitally,” Anne says.
Wallpaper, Grand Siécle.
For these lovers of classic Parisian style, Anne suggested decorating the room with wallpaper showing the capital’s main landmarks, such as Notre-Dame, the Luxembourg Palace, Saint-Germain-des-Prés church, and the Tuileries Garden. “They really loved this wallpaper, which was first produced in 1812 by the manufacturer Dufour and has taken 40 hours to restore digitally,” Anne says.
Wallpaper, Grand Siécle.
Need a pro for your home remodeling project?
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
Let Houzz find the best pros for you
Before Photo
The main living room before renovation. It’s true that floorboards are often best laid in the direction of the light, but in a room this elongated, the thin boards accentuated the unappealing corridor effect, and the corridors already had a strong presence.
Before Photo
The floor was completely removed, and the boards replaced to try to even out the level of the two living areas. Luckily, there were no nasty surprises. “We were worried about finding pipes in the floor as the reason behind the step, but nothing justified it,” Anne says.
The living room is now lovely and light thanks to the three windows facing the road, offering a stunning view of the pedestrianised streets of old Saint-Germain-des-Prés. “It really is a great district, with restaurants right by the building. We’re a stone’s throw from Le Procope, the oldest restaurant in Paris,” Anne says.
The interior, inspired by the city’s charm, has been enhanced with new chevron flooring, restoring the room’s gracious proportions. “We put in a lightweight screed to make the entire living room floor level. By the fireplace [where the flooring is now higher than the hearth], we had to create an illusion by surrounding the edge of the floorboards with brass-finish strips [see the next photo],” she explains.
Main walls painted in La Pureté; fireplace alcoves and opposite wall painted in Le Belvédère, both Ressource.
The interior, inspired by the city’s charm, has been enhanced with new chevron flooring, restoring the room’s gracious proportions. “We put in a lightweight screed to make the entire living room floor level. By the fireplace [where the flooring is now higher than the hearth], we had to create an illusion by surrounding the edge of the floorboards with brass-finish strips [see the next photo],” she explains.
Main walls painted in La Pureté; fireplace alcoves and opposite wall painted in Le Belvédère, both Ressource.
The sofa was placed opposite the original marble fireplace and, to the side, the television is in a discreet spot with a peacock blue backdrop, a dark colour that almost makes it disappear.
To give this building additional Haussmannian style – the epitome of Parisian chic for the owners – the original mouldings were repaired with ready-to-install mouldings, while panelling was created for the lower section of the walls.
“We made them using moulded frames. It was a lot of work installing them evenly and smoothly, plus making the sockets fall in the right place,” Anne says.
Other beautiful details enhance the look, such as the pendant light hanging from a ceiling rose and the new electric radiators imitating old-style cast-iron ones. As a final touch of refinement, the net curtains were made to measure with a single pleat finish and hung on brass rods.
Mouldings, Orac Decor. Pendant, Petite Friture. Curtains, MesRideaux; Santorin fabric, Pierre Frey. Brass rods, Houlés.
To give this building additional Haussmannian style – the epitome of Parisian chic for the owners – the original mouldings were repaired with ready-to-install mouldings, while panelling was created for the lower section of the walls.
“We made them using moulded frames. It was a lot of work installing them evenly and smoothly, plus making the sockets fall in the right place,” Anne says.
Other beautiful details enhance the look, such as the pendant light hanging from a ceiling rose and the new electric radiators imitating old-style cast-iron ones. As a final touch of refinement, the net curtains were made to measure with a single pleat finish and hung on brass rods.
Mouldings, Orac Decor. Pendant, Petite Friture. Curtains, MesRideaux; Santorin fabric, Pierre Frey. Brass rods, Houlés.
Before Photo
The existing alcove in the main living room was kept, as the owners had wanted.
The family wanted to bring the kitchen closer to the living room. Given the limitations regarding ventilation, the existing alcove in the living area was the only space for it. The layout includes 250cm of shelf space and a peninsula unit that provides a transition with the living room.
The chic kitchen combines Ikea carcasses with different fronts. “We paired the oak veneer [doors] with ones in the colour Petal, a custom-made rosy beige, and added a slight trim reminiscent of mouldings,” says Anne, an avid fan of elegant details.
For the worktop, the owner chose Taj Mahal quartzite, a natural stone from Brazil that combines the beauty of marble with the resistance of granite. The splashback is formed of pearly zellige tiles. Their shiny, irregular glazed surface beautifully reflects the light from the windows on the other side.
Kitchen carcasses, Ikea. Cabinet fronts, Bocklip. Zellige tiles, Mosaic Factory. Quartzite worktop, Marbrerie du Cygne.
For the worktop, the owner chose Taj Mahal quartzite, a natural stone from Brazil that combines the beauty of marble with the resistance of granite. The splashback is formed of pearly zellige tiles. Their shiny, irregular glazed surface beautifully reflects the light from the windows on the other side.
Kitchen carcasses, Ikea. Cabinet fronts, Bocklip. Zellige tiles, Mosaic Factory. Quartzite worktop, Marbrerie du Cygne.
To elevate the existing arched niche, Anne painted it in one of the secondary hues in the main bedroom’s wallpaper, a pomegranate red. The rosy beige semicircle accentuates the opening, while brass details add a special touch to the space.
Niche painted in Picture Gallery Red, Farrow & Ball.
Niche painted in Picture Gallery Red, Farrow & Ball.
The couple’s room is, naturally, the largest room, with two tall windows overlooking the courtyard. The couple moved into the room before the project began, placing their 1.8m × 2m bed against the wall on the left upon entering. This layout has been preserved.
The soft decor was created using natural materials, neutral colours and felted textiles. As was customary at the end of the 19th century, the lower third of the walls is covered in panelling. Above, classic wallpaper gives the space a chic look, and double curtains add a cosy and opulent touch.
Jardin Suspendu Doré wallpaper, Les Dominotiers. Curtain fabric, Casal.
Jardin Suspendu Doré wallpaper, Les Dominotiers. Curtain fabric, Casal.
Despite the generous dimensions, the room suffered from a complete lack of storage. To fix the issue, one wall was lined with made-to-measure wardrobes painted in pale grey. The elegant arched doors feature rattan panels.
In the centre of the unit, a taller opening was fitted with a mirror to create a dressing table. “This is a nod to the glamour of classic Parisian bedrooms,” Anne says.
Before Photo
Prior to the building work, the bathroom had a large shower and basin, plus a washing machine, but no toilet.
The new bathroom is in the same location as, being a room without windows, building a kitchen or kids’ room wasn’t an option.
To improve its darkness, the designers created an elegant green and gold haven. Anne added a toilet and an additional basin. The custom-built vanity unit with a light oak top provides contrast and a warm touch to the grey-green zellige tiling.
Walls and ceiling painted in Eucalyptus, Ressource.
To improve its darkness, the designers created an elegant green and gold haven. Anne added a toilet and an additional basin. The custom-built vanity unit with a light oak top provides contrast and a warm touch to the grey-green zellige tiling.
Walls and ceiling painted in Eucalyptus, Ressource.
Before Photo
The former kitchen was at the very back of the apartment facing the courtyard.
The tiny room is now a child’s bedroom, completely optimised and custom built, with the same blue-green paint seen in the living area. The shelves are trimmed in red, a detail echoed on the bespoke fabric blinds.
For these Berliners, the transformation of their nest in the heart of Paris was a great success. The experience could have been a difficult ordeal, but it was smooth sailing with the Decor Interieur team managing the renovation remotely.
“We reported on the project each week, and communication was seamless,” Anne says, adding, “Houzz has definitely helped clients find us in Paris.” The result is a perfectly orchestrated revival where Parisian charm plays a major part.
Walls painted in Le Belvédère, Ressource. Blinds, Pierre Frey.
Tell us…
What do you like about this Parisian apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
For these Berliners, the transformation of their nest in the heart of Paris was a great success. The experience could have been a difficult ordeal, but it was smooth sailing with the Decor Interieur team managing the renovation remotely.
“We reported on the project each week, and communication was seamless,” Anne says, adding, “Houzz has definitely helped clients find us in Paris.” The result is a perfectly orchestrated revival where Parisian charm plays a major part.
Walls painted in Le Belvédère, Ressource. Blinds, Pierre Frey.
Tell us…
What do you like about this Parisian apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? A couple in their thirties with a baby
Location Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris, France
Size 76 sq m; now with three bedrooms, one bathroom and a cloakroom
Project year April to September 2024
Interior designer Anne Chemineau of Decor Interieur
Budget €184,000 (around £154,000) excl. fees
Photos by Agathe Tissier