Transformation of a Haussmann Apartment into a 120m² Design Showroom
By Marie Ararà | July 18, 2024
“When I was introduced to this apartment, it was love at first sight. The history of the place deeply moved me, and I immediately saw its incredible potential.”– Marie Ararà
We present to you a place full of history. The former owner, Madame B., was born here and spent her entire life in this apartment. When Marie set foot in it for the first time, it took great imagination to envision its potential. Despite the presence of elegant moldings and beautiful marble fireplaces, the space felt suffocated by old wallpaper and very dark parquet flooring. The rooms, though featuring high ceilings, appeared small and dark. It was essential to bring in lightness and brightness to restore the soul of this apartment…
Initial Layout:
This 117 m² apartment consisted of two bedrooms and a single bathroom, accessible only through the kitchen. The entryway, although spacious, was extremely dark due to its concrete floor and served solely to welcome visitors, with no other purpose. Despite their southern orientation, the two living rooms lacked warmth, and their layout made movement awkward. Lastly, several closets were present, but they didn’t provide truly functional storage spaces.
Projected Layout:
After exploring various layout possibilities, we realized that the old kitchen wasn’t ideally located within the apartment. By relocating it, it became possible to transform this two-bedroom (T3) into a three-bedroom (T4), with three beautiful bedrooms.
To achieve this, several renovations were undertaken. Bringing water to the new kitchen required considering numerous options. However, most of these involved removing the old parquet flooring—which we were determined to preserve for its beauty—to install water and drainage systems. Ultimately, we opted to create a drywall partition in the two rear bedrooms, allowing us to conceal the plumbing while routing the networks to the kitchen. In addition to hiding the pipes, these drywall partitions also serve as headboards, a feature we find particularly trendy at MA DESIGN.
Finally, the small closet at the back of the apartment was converted into a practical bathroom, featuring a shower and a washbasin, easily accessible from the two adjacent bedrooms.
The Entrence
It was essential for this transformation to begin right at the entrance. The apartment, destined to become the MA DESIGN showroom, needed to reflect our universe as soon as our clients or potential clients walked through the door.
To achieve this, the concrete floor was completely replaced with a characterful hardwood floor, in harmony with the original parquet in the living room, creating continuity throughout the apartment. A bright white from Argile Peinture was chosen to visually expand the space, and true to our identity, we added jewelry-like light fixtures from Contain to elegantly illuminate the room.
The walnut console, with its asymmetrical base, was conceived and designed by Marie Ararà – MA DESIGN, then crafted by our carpenters. The paintings displayed here are works by the Nantes-based artist Éric Fonteneau.
The Living Room
To bring more light into this previously very dark living room, mirrors were strategically added, reflecting the light and visually enlarging the space. At the center of the room, the custom-made Contain light fixture fits perfectly with the ceiling rosette, highlighting the unique character of the place.
In the center of the room, the marble coffee table, sofa, and armchairs are designed by Marie Ararà. This ensemble embodies elegance and sophistication. The two paintings framing the door are original creations by a Nantes-based painter, enhancing the space and adding an artistic and personal touch to the whole.
The Kitchen
In this room, which we wanted to transform into a kitchen, we unfortunately had to remove the period fireplace that was located right in the center. At our request, the artisans carefully dismantled it, piece by piece, allowing us to preserve it in good condition, with the hope of giving it a place again in the future.
Given the narrow layout of the room, we opted for a fully low and elongated kitchen design. The door on the left, which led to the materials library, was sealed and covered with drywall to harmonize the entire space. The custom-made kitchen, designed by MA DESIGN, incorporates the patterns of the dado rails present in the room, adding an authentic touch to the modern furniture.
An impressive backsplash in ceramic stoneware with a marble effect, extending nearly 5 meters, completes this high-end ensemble.
Once again, the Contain light fixture was designed and custom-made to perfectly fit the period rosette in the ceiling. Finally, the walnut table, with legs that resemble airplane blades for a sense of lightness, was conceived and designed by Marie Ararà – MA DESIGN, then crafted by our carpenters.
The Master Bedroom
The Master Bathroom
The Materials Library
The importance of a materials library in the work of an interior designer cannot be overstated. It serves multiple purposes and functions; first and foremost, it is a place for exploring and selecting materials, allowing us to see and touch various colors, textures, and finishes, which is essential for evaluating their compatibility with one another and with the envisioned design for a harmonious final result. Additionally, this room acts as a tangible support during consultations with clients. By presenting physical samples, we can better explain our choices and help our clients understand and visualize the project.
In this room, we carefully restored the beautiful period parquet, and after restoring the walls, they were repainted in a warm, bright white. A large walnut table was added in the center, custom-designed and crafted by our carpenters, to facilitate exchanges, work, imagination, and the design of new spaces.
In summary, the materials library is a valuable tool that enriches the creative and operational process, offering both inspiration and precision in space design. This room is indispensable in our eyes as it becomes a place of expression where magic happens and ideas come to life!
La salle d’eau
Formerly an unused closet, this water closet is now a true asset of the apartment, like a hidden gem that we are pleased to unveil during the showroom tour, thus surprising our visitors.
Strategically located between two bedrooms, this bathroom enjoys excellent lighting thanks to the spotlights and the pendant light positioned to the left of the basin, despite the lack of direct light. The white zellige perfectly complements the brass faucets, a distinctive feature of the MA DESIGN agency.