Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Bright and Bohemian Artist’s Flat in Paris
A mezzanine level and large windows ensure this home and art studio feels light and spacious
A secondhand-furniture enthusiast had lived in her quirky and charming studio in Paris for years . But her home was more suited for painting than for living. She hired architect Miriam Gassmann to redesign the space and allow it to be bathed in light from colossal windows. The architect’s challenge was to restructure the studio while preserving its original bohemian feeling. Miriam delivered with an easygoing, authentic space that is a bright, fresh canvas on which the owner’s imagination can flow.
Houzz at a Glance
Location Paris
Who lives here An artist
Size 970 sq ft
That’s interesting The owner is a trapeze performer, artist, second-hand enthusiast and keen furniture restorer.
Houzz at a Glance
Location Paris
Who lives here An artist
Size 970 sq ft
That’s interesting The owner is a trapeze performer, artist, second-hand enthusiast and keen furniture restorer.
The owner of this studio had been living there for years, and had collected many treasures over that time. It had previously been more of an art studio than a home, and she wanted to change this with the help of Miriam.
It was no small challenge to renovate the studio. Walls partitioned the spaces, wallpaper was everywhere, and the mezzanine was being used to store paintings. ‘We decided to pull everything down in order to open up the space completely, and on the first floor, we expanded the space to create a full-size bedroom,’ Miriam says.
Miriam and the homeowner took down the wallpaper and painted the walls white. The secondhand-finds enthusiast needed no outside help in choosing furniture. ‘The neutrality of the walls allows her to modify styles and decorations as she feels fit,’ Miriam says.
The architect recommended a grey background for the kitchen. ‘The owner was afraid that its location, way at the end of the room, would result in a strong feeling of darkness. I convinced her to embrace this light-dark contrast,’ Miriam says.
She added artificial lighting under the mezzanine to ease the effects of the lowered ceiling. She opened up the walled staircase and fitted it with black steel railings in harmony with those of the mezzanine.
She added artificial lighting under the mezzanine to ease the effects of the lowered ceiling. She opened up the walled staircase and fitted it with black steel railings in harmony with those of the mezzanine.
Vertical and horizontal windows that bathe the interior in light are the apartment’s main asset.
The architect replaced the upstairs railings, previously made of rustic wood, with a white concrete element topped with a custom-made black steel handrail. She added wardrobes with mirrored doors to this space, which now serves as the owner’s bedroom.
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The architect replaced the upstairs railings, previously made of rustic wood, with a white concrete element topped with a custom-made black steel handrail. She added wardrobes with mirrored doors to this space, which now serves as the owner’s bedroom.
Browse more mezzanines
The studio also has a second floor, accessible from the kitchen, where the owner created a guest room. The storage area received a fresh coat of paint but retains its originality.
Bookcases were added to this blue-tiled toilet area, which previously had also housed a sink.
The architect created a dedicated alcove for the bathtub. ‘The owner spends a fair amount of time in her bath, both for relaxing and for reading,’ she says. The bath is covered with zellige, a decorative tilework dating to Mediterranean ancient times, by Mosaic del Sur. With its black and white cement tiles on the wall, this alcove is also an elegant little boudoir.
Check out more black and white bathroom schemes
Check out more black and white bathroom schemes
This recess is a third bathroom area; its sink is topped by a mirror. It’s open to the mezzanine and benefits from the great natural light.
TELL US…
What do you like about this Parisian flat? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
TELL US…
What do you like about this Parisian flat? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.