From a blank page springs a new chapter, through serendipity. Gabrielle, the owner of this sun-drenched loft, explains how it all happened.
By 2022, Gabrielle and her husband had already settled in Montreuil: “We wanted to stay in the neighborhood. We had just missed out on an apartment that we were considering buying.” This turned out to be a blessing in disguise: at the same time, the couple heard about a nearby renovation project. ” It was in a former Montreuil mirror factory, next to a small park that we loved. We couldn’t have dreamed of a better location.” Less built-up and less expensive per square meter than inner Paris, this outlying city has a lot going for it, including a real neighborhood feel and peace and quiet that is particularly appreciated by the expectant parents, who jumped on the occasion to buy this 68 square meter space.
With just a concrete floor, cinder block walls, and timber framing to go by, Gabrielle and Clément immediately saw the potential that many others would struggle to envision. ” The trees in the gardens facing the building were in bloom when we visited; the view had something bucolic about it, the whole project was set back from the main road. The proximity of the Bois de Vincennes and a very large park made the place even more attractive. ” With the help of architect Julien Dufresne, founder of the JDA agency, they set about transforming the two-level space into a family haven. Its south-facing exposure and the absence of any opposing neighbors were major assets. “Above all,” continues Gabrielle, it was the first time that we had the opportunity to live in a place that really suited us, a made-to-measure apartment, perfectly adapted to our growing family. ”
The resulting atmosphere is one of serenity and simplicity. On the ground floor, the kitchen stands out in a beautiful terracotta color-blocking effect. Upstairs, other earthy tones punctuate the two sleeping areas – that of the two children, who still sleep in the same room, and that of the couple. The apartment also (naturally) incorporates all the expected modern features. The large living room, extended by a terrace, alternately serves as a playground, reading corner, entertaining or relaxation area. The upper level accommodates a clever office and plenty of storage space in addition to the family bathroom, along with the bedrooms.
The place will have seen Gabrielle and Clément’s children take their first steps: “We may have to move when they grow up,” she muses. “But even if we don’t stay there all our lives, this duplex will have allowed us to plan for the future in a different way, and with complete peace of mind, during these first years of our life as a family of four.”
