In a quiet street, a few steps from the rue du Bac, you will find this 63-square-meter apartment with discreet charm, nestled in a typical faubourien building of the 19th century.
7th arrondissement…
It was Paul’s first real estate purchase, a place he had lived in for a few years before leaving to work in New York, and then rented out. “The apartment had been leased for about ten years and was in poor condition,” he recalls. The parquet, sisal and paintwork had suffered from the passage of time, while the bathroom and kitchen needed a complete renovation.
For this project, Paul and his partner once again called on Fanny Bernard, who had already orchestrated the renovation of their apartment in Neuilly: “We really liked her guidance and the way she understood our expectations,” says the owner. “When the opportunity for this project arose, we immediately wanted her to follow it through.” The specifications were clear: rethink the overall aesthetic, clarify and structure the spaces without touching the existing volumes, bring light and storage where there was none.
The project focused on the essentials: complete removal of parquet flooring, installation of dry screed, total renovation of both the kitchen and bathroom, and creation of custom fixtures and fittings. Not a single wall was moved, but every decision was aimed at revealing the apartment’s potential and enhancing the natural light.
The project plays on subtle contrasts: a palette of warm, powdery tones dialogues with more assertive materials, such as deep walnut, deep brown kitchen fronts or touches of matte stainless steel. “Our customers wanted a soft, hushed ambience that was feminine but also suitable for men,” explains Fanny Bernard. Light-colored paints create continuity while defining each space, while darker materials structure the apartment and bring balance. Statement pieces, like the pink marble washbasin or a colorful table lamp, punctuate and enhance the overall look. “We weren’t able to follow the work on site, but we were charmed by the before-and-after effect,” says Paul. “Fanny suggested we go a little further in the renovation than we had imagined, and the result is even more harmonious than we had hoped.”
Today, this apartment exudes elegance. Light, textures and materials harmonize to create an interior that is both warm and contemporary, where each space reveals a subtle balance between comfort, personality and refinement. A place where you feel at home, but with the assurance of an interior fully anchored in its time.
