This is an apartment that embraces challenges as well as paradoxes. Nestled in the heart of a bustling neighborhood, yet enjoying absolute tranquility; compact, yet adaptable to your every need. “Completely renovated, but without losing sight of the historic character of the space,” adds its owner, Mathilde Schaal, with a smile.
At the intersection where the building stands, “the noise is crazy,” she confirms. “But once through the porte-cochère entrance, the silence becomes absolute. I loved that striking contrast.” This contrast is further highlighted by the property’s location: a three-room apartment opening onto a spacious, tree-lined courtyard. The space, which was originally extremely compartmentalized, was completely redesigned and renovated by its owner, an HMONP-certified architect and founder of the Cabane architecture firm. Cleared out and reconfigured to let in as much light as possible, the apartment—now organized as a series of interconnected rooms—defies certain constraints that are otherwise difficult to overcome…
Take this kitchen, for example, which was intentionally hidden: “I didn’t want it to catch the eye of visitors as soon as they walked in… But I also cook a lot!” So it will be tucked away behind the bathroom. Both practical and stylish, the countertop that makes up the kitchen extends like a Scandinavian sideboard in its most visible section. A lovely design feat, accentuated only by two wall sconces designed by Charlotte Perriand.
The key goal of this renovation was to create two separate sleeping areas for hosting family and friends. Mathilde therefore decided to divide her bedroom into two distinct rooms, separated by a sliding partition on a fixed track. “This custom solution allowed me to transform what I use as my everyday office into a second bedroom, thanks to a removable false floor that conceals a second bed. And it did so without affecting the living space or forcing any part of it to remain unoccupied for too long!” The platform that now houses the double bed also contributes to the openness of the space, which is crowned by a beautiful high ceiling.
From the rosettes to the original hardwood floors and the period fireplace, wood plays a central role in this renovation. “The project revolves around extensive built-in woodwork,” Mathilde adds. “Cabinets, bookshelves, and built-in fixtures define the spaces and maximize storage capacity. The goal was to design a space that is both warm and functional, highlighting light and natural materials that lend texture and softness to the overall design.” The icing on the cake: “The versatility of these rectangular spaces, which offers great freedom in terms of layout.” Or how to turn a tiny space—or almost one—into a place where anything is possible.
