For Sloft+ members only
Christelle dreamed of a cocoon she could call her own – but not just anywhere. Her non-negotiable: to live in Le Pré-Saint-Gervais, “this tiny urban commune in Seine-Saint-Denis … which is often mistaken for a mere metro stop!” Despite its high density, the town retains a singular charm: an almost village-like atmosphere, a vibrant social mix, and the precious impression that everybody knows each other.
Listings matching her criteria were rare: barely three a month. So when a duplex overlooking a flower-lined alley came online, she and her architect best friend Nastasia Potel sent it to each other … on the same day! It was love at first sight. The property was reminiscent of a maisonette, accessible from a shared courtyard carefully landscaped by the residents. A joyful, collective breathing space in the very heart of the city. Inside: 50 square meters of single-exposure space, renovated on the cheap, with only two openings. Clean and efficient, but soulless, for now. Nastasia knows Christelle like the back of her hand, so there was no need for lengthy meetings: “We wiped the slate clean to rethink, reinsulate … and reenchant!”
The palette, materials and ambience of her native South of France were all naturally inspired by the future occupant’s personality. This intuitive brief was complemented by the integration of glass pavers (“my design crush,” Christelle laughs,) and a place of honor reserved for the bathtub. From this roadmap, the architect created a sunny, slightly retro space, faithful to her friend’s tastes: a sixties/seventies aesthetic that she loves (and collects, right down to her jewelry) and a special attention to everyday gestures.
Three main materials (waxed concrete, earthenware, mirror) punctuate the living spaces, while the technical and rest areas fade into soft white. The contrast gives life to an intensely expressive compact loft, where every detail has its role, every texture its presence. Today, Christelle feels completely at home here, caring for her plants and cultivating ties with her neighbors. Le Pré-Saint-Gervais, however small, offered her exactly what she was looking for: a place to put down roots and cultivate her passions.
