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Houzz Tour: A Roof Expansion Doubles the Size of a City Flat
Extending onto the roof of this Paris building made room for more bedrooms and a spacious open living area and kitchen
These homeowners had already been living in this 60 sq m apartment in Levallois-Perret, a suburb of Paris, for a couple of years, but it became too small for their needs after the birth of their two children. Rather than moving, they decided to extend onto the rooftop of the 1970s building.
They first worked with an architect who was responsible for the building permit, then approached interior designer Victoria Douyère to take care of the interior fittings and decor of the now 115 sq m home.
They first worked with an architect who was responsible for the building permit, then approached interior designer Victoria Douyère to take care of the interior fittings and decor of the now 115 sq m home.
First-floor plan after.
The lower storey is now entirely taken up by living areas, with a much more spacious kitchen, dining and living area. The original cloakroom remains. All the bedrooms and the bathroom were moved to the newly built upper storey.
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The lower storey is now entirely taken up by living areas, with a much more spacious kitchen, dining and living area. The original cloakroom remains. All the bedrooms and the bathroom were moved to the newly built upper storey.
Find reviewed interior designers in your area on Houzz.
Only the cloakroom (behind the patterned wall) and kitchen stayed in their original places on the bottom floor. The other walls were removed to create a large, completely open living space.
The entrance was to the right of the kitchen and cloakroom, forming a small open hallway that was visually separated from the rest of the room.
The entrance was to the right of the kitchen and cloakroom, forming a small open hallway that was visually separated from the rest of the room.
Victoria opted for graphic contrast in the new entrance to further emphasise the visual separation. The dark custom-made unit, which contains storage and seating, provides a sharp contrast to the pale wood floor and white walls.
“This colour also appears in part of the living area and main bedroom, like a common thread,” Victoria says. She was able to create harmony in the decor of this large living space while effectively zoning the various rooms.
Now, this new, ultra-bright space opens out onto a large living room with a dining area at the back.
The owners selected an island made from white marble-effect ceramic that adds a sophisticated touch to the decor, paired with a bold brass pendant light, pearl-grey kitchen fronts and a few black touches.
Besides the increased surface area of the worktops, the new kitchen includes a dining area the family can use daily.
Besides the increased surface area of the worktops, the new kitchen includes a dining area the family can use daily.
Now, three ample cupboards line the new stair structure to provide more storage space. The tinted-glass doors make a fitting display case for the family’s fine objects and blend in with the pale wood façades. They give this transitional space between the kitchen and living room a luxurious feel.
Victoria expertly combined pale wood and contrasting tones on the lower floor. “The owners wanted an understated interior that showcases natural materials, punctuated with indirect lighting on the custom-made fittings, creating an intimate and cosy setting,” she says.
“The couple wanted a Haussmannian-style apartment, so we opted for light herringbone parquet flooring together with modern bespoke joinery, such as the dining-room bookshelf with integrated LED lights,” Victoria says.
Victoria also played with contrasts in the living area by combining light and dark shades. For a chic, minimalist ambience, furniture pieces present a mixture of sharp, geometric lines with smooth curves.
A low, customised sideboard elegantly blends into the decor. Offering plenty of storage space, it also contains a projector hidden in a drawer, replacing the television for a more sophisticated look.
Decorative items and a contemporary piece by Hubert Mardi add a dynamic and colourful touch.
Decorative items and a contemporary piece by Hubert Mardi add a dynamic and colourful touch.
The bespoke sideboard in the living room extends into the former nursery space just behind the round table. With suspended shelves in a sleek design, it serves as a bold but airy contrast to the pale wood floor and white light fixture.
Located by the front door and near the kitchen, the colourful cloakroom is painted in warm terracotta, highlighted by a few black features for a cosy and chic feel. It has not been moved from its original spot.
There are open compartments and cabinets on both sides of the wooden stairs in order to make the most of every corner of this family home.
The same elegant midnight-blue shade as in the hallway and living room has been used in the parents’ bedroom suite. A custom-built bouclé wool headboard elevates this space, alongside a combination of striped cushions and the spiced ochre bedding.
The round silhouettes of the bedside tables and headboard add softness to this cosy space.
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The round silhouettes of the bedside tables and headboard add softness to this cosy space.
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Echoing the kitchen area, the en suite bathroom features marble-effect tiles embellished with black and brass touches.
A large arched mirror hangs over the tailor-made walnut vanity unit to create a striking design.
This child’s room features pastel wallpaper and retro-style rattan furniture.
Custom-built storage units are integrated into each room, including the children’s bedrooms, with this compact unit combining a wardrobe, cupboards, shelves and a desk.
The other child’s room has grey-green tones and softly patterned wallpaper for a soothing feel.
Victoria has made the most of this narrow alcove.
In the children’s bathroom, pearl grey terrazzo flooring is a perfect partner for the delicate, powder-pink zellige tiles forming a backdrop to the rattan vanity unit.
Now, the family home is no longer overcrowded. Though a significant investment, building an extra floor allowed the owners to meet their needs without the stress of moving and finding a new home – not to mention how much the renovation adds to the value of their property.
Tell us…
What are your thoughts on this transformation? Let us know in the Comments.
Tell us…
What are your thoughts on this transformation? Let us know in the Comments.
Who lives here? A family with two children
Location Levallois-Perret, near Paris, France
Size 115 sq m
Project duration Two months in 2021
Designer Victoria Douyère of Studio Victoria Douyère
Budget €165,000 (£142,000) excl. VAT for structural work and €185,000 (£160,000) for the interior layout (partitions, plumbing, electricity, flooring, tiling, layouts, kitchen, paint), or €1,600 (£1,400) excl. VAT per square metre (including architectural fees and excluding furniture and decoration)
Photos by BCDF Studio