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Houzz Tour: A Cosy City Flat Renovated on a Small Budget
Check out before and after photos of this clever, comfortable Paris renovation, completed for a surprising sum
It was thanks to a recommendation that the couple who own this Paris apartment decided to call on Eugénie Dufaud of ED Interior Design to renovate their home. Their initial aim was to improve the energy-efficiency of the building, but they later decided to also focus on the overall look and comfort of the flat. For a pretty modest budget and given the scale of the work involved, the transformation was impressive.
The plan of the renovated flat shows what an awkward space it was to design for Eugénie. The compact size informed the choices she made. “I designed it so it would be ideal for a young couple or a single person, as it doesn’t really lend itself to family life,” she says.
The owners were mainly focused on technical issues and comfort, rather than redecorating. “They wanted to do something about the bathroom, which was falling apart and very damp,” Eugénie says. “We put in a ventilation system, which it didn’t have before. There was no extractor fan, and the heating didn’t work very well. We also had to bring all the electricity up to standard and insulate everything.”
The age of the building was the first challenge to deal with. “It’s a late 19th/early 20th century tenement building,” Eugénie says. “It wasn’t in very good condition, and in particular there was a hole in front of the shower. The owner explained that there had already been water damage, cracks and so on.”
So the renovation had to be thorough, which is why Eugénie advised her clients to take their project further. The basic budget was around £16,500 (€20,000), but only partially renovating the flat was a bad idea. “I made them realise that by spending a little more, we could redo the whole flat, adding character and comfort.
“Since we had to cut channels in the walls to run the electricity cables, we had to replaster and repaint, so thought we might as well choose paint that would give the flat a touch of style,” she says.
The benefits of long-term changes were also considerable. “It was better to spend more and bring everything up to standard. You’ll always have to do things over time, so it’s better to do it all at once if you can,” she says.
Eugénie also convinced the owners that redoing the flat with exactly the same furniture would be a missed opportunity, but she was keen to keep the prices reasonable. She aimed to give the flat a sense of unity and coherence, with natural decor, wooden surfaces and floral patterns.
The owners were mainly focused on technical issues and comfort, rather than redecorating. “They wanted to do something about the bathroom, which was falling apart and very damp,” Eugénie says. “We put in a ventilation system, which it didn’t have before. There was no extractor fan, and the heating didn’t work very well. We also had to bring all the electricity up to standard and insulate everything.”
The age of the building was the first challenge to deal with. “It’s a late 19th/early 20th century tenement building,” Eugénie says. “It wasn’t in very good condition, and in particular there was a hole in front of the shower. The owner explained that there had already been water damage, cracks and so on.”
So the renovation had to be thorough, which is why Eugénie advised her clients to take their project further. The basic budget was around £16,500 (€20,000), but only partially renovating the flat was a bad idea. “I made them realise that by spending a little more, we could redo the whole flat, adding character and comfort.
“Since we had to cut channels in the walls to run the electricity cables, we had to replaster and repaint, so thought we might as well choose paint that would give the flat a touch of style,” she says.
The benefits of long-term changes were also considerable. “It was better to spend more and bring everything up to standard. You’ll always have to do things over time, so it’s better to do it all at once if you can,” she says.
Eugénie also convinced the owners that redoing the flat with exactly the same furniture would be a missed opportunity, but she was keen to keep the prices reasonable. She aimed to give the flat a sense of unity and coherence, with natural decor, wooden surfaces and floral patterns.
Before Photo
This is the view from the front door before the work was carried out.
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Now, a bench where people can sit to take off their shoes has replaced the old shoe cabinet, which narrowed the hallway.
Eugénie chose yellow to personalise the space. “It’s unusual and brings a lot of light into the dark room,” she says.
To the left of the entrance is the bedroom, with a walk-in wardrobe at the foot of the bed. “It has room for clothes, suitcases, an ironing board and a clothes rack,” she says.
The mirrored dressing room doors face large glazed doors, boosting the light. Eugénie found a set of bed linen that almost matched the hallway wall paint colour in order to create a coherent look between the two spaces.
Eugénie chose yellow to personalise the space. “It’s unusual and brings a lot of light into the dark room,” she says.
To the left of the entrance is the bedroom, with a walk-in wardrobe at the foot of the bed. “It has room for clothes, suitcases, an ironing board and a clothes rack,” she says.
The mirrored dressing room doors face large glazed doors, boosting the light. Eugénie found a set of bed linen that almost matched the hallway wall paint colour in order to create a coherent look between the two spaces.
Before Photo
The old shower room, which was too small, spilled over into the bedroom, with bathroom accessories and laundry appliances located outside.
The rounded wall separating the two rooms was a big constraint and, for Eugénie, it was the major challenge of the renovation. “One of my roles was to make each room easier to use,” she says. “It was better to bring together everything to do with humidity in the bathroom. For example, the washing machine in the bedroom can interfere with a good night’s sleep.”
The rounded wall separating the two rooms was a big constraint and, for Eugénie, it was the major challenge of the renovation. “One of my roles was to make each room easier to use,” she says. “It was better to bring together everything to do with humidity in the bathroom. For example, the washing machine in the bedroom can interfere with a good night’s sleep.”
Now, the bathroom door has been moved nearer to the bedroom, creating a bigger space.
Eugénie convinced the couple to choose a comfortable and practical 160cm bed, rather than the 140cm design they had originally preferred. Above the bed, she’s installed wall lamps, which save more space than bedside lamps.
“Each person, on either side of the bed, has their own wall lamp with an integrated switch, and their own socket, a bit like in a hotel,” Eugénie says.
The woven pendant light and wall mirror, which match the dark grey tones of the wallpaper and headboard, enhance the room without overpowering it.
Eugénie convinced the couple to choose a comfortable and practical 160cm bed, rather than the 140cm design they had originally preferred. Above the bed, she’s installed wall lamps, which save more space than bedside lamps.
“Each person, on either side of the bed, has their own wall lamp with an integrated switch, and their own socket, a bit like in a hotel,” Eugénie says.
The woven pendant light and wall mirror, which match the dark grey tones of the wallpaper and headboard, enhance the room without overpowering it.
Before Photo
Eugénie wanted to change the old partition between the hallway and the bedroom. “[The sleeping area] felt cut off, with that low wall and those blinds,” she says. “The red curtains blocked a lot of light and, with the dark grey wall, this ate into the light despite the white walls”.
Eugénie added glazing to the new partition to prevent the impression of “sleeping in the hall”, while maintaining the same amount of light. The wall between the bedroom and the entrance was extended and rebuilt to accommodate the standard glass screen. She also fitted blackout curtains, “so it’s really dark when they’re closed”.
In the bedroom, Eugénie used the same yellow as in the entrance hall. “It’s a little orange, a little bright, but not too aggressive. It gives an impression of brightness, as if the light were on,” she says. The parquet floor has been sanded and sealed. “We haven’t changed it, but we’ve given it a little facelift,” she says.
Last but not least, the walls were decorated with grey and white wallpaper, with a tropical motif, to match the grey and white cushions and the grey headboard.
Wallpaper, Caselio.
In the bedroom, Eugénie used the same yellow as in the entrance hall. “It’s a little orange, a little bright, but not too aggressive. It gives an impression of brightness, as if the light were on,” she says. The parquet floor has been sanded and sealed. “We haven’t changed it, but we’ve given it a little facelift,” she says.
Last but not least, the walls were decorated with grey and white wallpaper, with a tropical motif, to match the grey and white cushions and the grey headboard.
Wallpaper, Caselio.
Before Photo
This is the old bathroom. In addition to the hole in the floor, poorly concealed by the black mat, Eugénie had noticed “the old shower curtain, the washbasin that looked more like a hand basin than a washbasin, and the shower overlooking the window”.
Before Photo
Here is the old washing machine, hidden, along with the tumble dryer, in the bedroom cupboard.
Eugénie reconsidered the position of the major electrical appliances to complete the renovation. “Enlarging the bathroom allowed me to put the washing machine back,” she says. “We chose a washer-dryer, which means there’s only one appliance and it avoids having a ‘laundry room’, especially as the dryer can release quite a lot of moisture when it’s running, which isn’t ideal for a bedroom.”
The boiler was also previously located in the bedroom cupboards. The flat now has an ultra-slim boiler, housed in the white cupboard in the bathroom, “always with the idea of reorganising space and functionality”.
Eugénie also chose a space-saving design for the loo.
The boiler was also previously located in the bedroom cupboards. The flat now has an ultra-slim boiler, housed in the white cupboard in the bathroom, “always with the idea of reorganising space and functionality”.
Eugénie also chose a space-saving design for the loo.
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The room now features a large storage column. “I like black and white bathrooms,” Eugénie says. “Here, there’s a rather Parisian feel with the metro tiles and terrazzo. I used black grouting for the graphic effect and to make the tiles stand out.”
To balance out the very straight lines, Eugénie added rounded features, including the mirror, wall lights and shower.
To balance out the very straight lines, Eugénie added rounded features, including the mirror, wall lights and shower.
Before Photo
Here’s the former living area, which was full of disparate and uncoordinated styles, colours and textures, creating a chaotic impression.
“The furniture before was salvaged from previous flats or donations, so there was no unity or harmony, and things weren’t necessarily in their place, which made it hard to read the space,” Eugénie says.
“The furniture before was salvaged from previous flats or donations, so there was no unity or harmony, and things weren’t necessarily in their place, which made it hard to read the space,” Eugénie says.
None of the essential features have been sacrificed – there’s still a kitchen, a dining table and a sofa area – but the room has now been divided into three distinct zones.
The kitchen has sharp, clean lines, with white cabinets separated by a long, aqua-green splashback.
A dining table separates the kitchen from the sofa area, which is kitted out for relaxation and comfort, with the seating all positioned to face the TV.
The space has a harmonious colour scheme of green and white, enhanced by floral wallpaper with touches of yellow that create a subtle link with the sunny colour of the hallway (visible at the back through the half-open door).
The kitchen has sharp, clean lines, with white cabinets separated by a long, aqua-green splashback.
A dining table separates the kitchen from the sofa area, which is kitted out for relaxation and comfort, with the seating all positioned to face the TV.
The space has a harmonious colour scheme of green and white, enhanced by floral wallpaper with touches of yellow that create a subtle link with the sunny colour of the hallway (visible at the back through the half-open door).
Before Photo
Here’s the previous dining table and chairs.
Eugénie opted for transparent dining chairs, which allow the eye to see through without interruption. “It means the space isn’t overloaded,” she says.
Guests also have a clearer, more uncluttered space in which to sit, thanks to the long wall cupboards and the linear organisation of the kitchen and living room, which have made it possible to save a lot of space.
Wallpaper, Caselio. Table; chairs; lamps, all Atmosphera. Pendant light, Beliani.
Guests also have a clearer, more uncluttered space in which to sit, thanks to the long wall cupboards and the linear organisation of the kitchen and living room, which have made it possible to save a lot of space.
Wallpaper, Caselio. Table; chairs; lamps, all Atmosphera. Pendant light, Beliani.
The living space at the far end has plenty of seating, including a huge corner sofa and a pair of green armchairs. The pale green curtains, framed drawings and natural textures add to the harmonious look.
“The clients gave me carte blanche to decorate the whole flat, so I chose things that would give it a bit of personality,” Eugénie says.
Rug, Rugvista.
“The clients gave me carte blanche to decorate the whole flat, so I chose things that would give it a bit of personality,” Eugénie says.
Rug, Rugvista.
Before Photo
Here’s the kitchen before the renovation.
Keen to stay within budget without sacrificing design, Eugénie opted for major brands known for their good value, such as a white Ikea kitchen, which she enhanced with a zellige tile splashback in aqua green.
She added more storage and concealed appliances where possible. The fridge is hidden, as is the microwave in one of the cupboards, and the dishwasher is concealed next to the sink. “We couldn’t do the same with the oven, but I chose a white oven to avoid a big black mass in the white kitchen,” she says.
Enkoping kitchen, Ikea. Zellige tiles, Leroy Merlin.
She added more storage and concealed appliances where possible. The fridge is hidden, as is the microwave in one of the cupboards, and the dishwasher is concealed next to the sink. “We couldn’t do the same with the oven, but I chose a white oven to avoid a big black mass in the white kitchen,” she says.
Enkoping kitchen, Ikea. Zellige tiles, Leroy Merlin.
Before Photo
The living area pre-renovation. Notice the brown corner sofa.
The same sofa has been used here, but Eugénie has covered it with throws and cushions to match the greens and whites of the room. “I really like textiles, such as sofas, rugs, cushions and curtains, as they add decorative elements as well as warmth,” she says.
To complete the relaxing atmosphere and add interest, she chose two lightweight coffee tables that are easy to move around. “The coffee table that looks grey in the photos is actually aqua green,” she says.
Eugénie rose brilliantly to the challenge of this total renovation. “I had to do something nice on a very limited budget. It wasn’t that easy, but I managed it and I’m delighted with the result,” she says.
As for her clients, they were amazed. “They said they had no regrets at all about having spent more money to achieve such a result,” she says. “One of the couple said, ‘I don’t recognise my flat at all and I love it.’ Compliments like that always make you happy and you know what you’re working hard for.”
Detailed budget: Around £34,300 (€41,800).
Work: Around £23,200 (€28,200) inc:
electricity: €2,670 excl VAT; masonry, €6,000 excl VAT; plumbing, €6,200 excl VAT, including all bathroom fittings (shower tray, etc); joinery, €3,254, including installation of the kitchen and glass roof; paint and wallpaper, €6,000.
Decoration: Around £11,100 (€13,600), including furniture, curtains, lighting and decorative items, as well as the kitchen, including appliances.
Tell us…
What do you like about this cleverly designed small flat? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
To complete the relaxing atmosphere and add interest, she chose two lightweight coffee tables that are easy to move around. “The coffee table that looks grey in the photos is actually aqua green,” she says.
Eugénie rose brilliantly to the challenge of this total renovation. “I had to do something nice on a very limited budget. It wasn’t that easy, but I managed it and I’m delighted with the result,” she says.
As for her clients, they were amazed. “They said they had no regrets at all about having spent more money to achieve such a result,” she says. “One of the couple said, ‘I don’t recognise my flat at all and I love it.’ Compliments like that always make you happy and you know what you’re working hard for.”
Detailed budget: Around £34,300 (€41,800).
Work: Around £23,200 (€28,200) inc:
electricity: €2,670 excl VAT; masonry, €6,000 excl VAT; plumbing, €6,200 excl VAT, including all bathroom fittings (shower tray, etc); joinery, €3,254, including installation of the kitchen and glass roof; paint and wallpaper, €6,000.
Decoration: Around £11,100 (€13,600), including furniture, curtains, lighting and decorative items, as well as the kitchen, including appliances.
Tell us…
What do you like about this cleverly designed small flat? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Who lives here? A couple
Location Paris, France
Property A flat one-bed flat in a late 19th/early 20th century tenement building
Size Approximately 50 sq m
Interior designer Eugénie Dufaud of ED Interior Design
Project year Handover in July 2024 after two months’ work
Budget Around £34,400 (€41,800; detailed budget at the end of the story)