After searching for the perfect Paris apartment that could double as an atelier for five years, Laure Nell Interiors founder and principal Laetitia Laurent fell in love with this 415-square-foot pied-à-terre that packs a punch. Situated in the coveted Golden Triangle area in the 8th arrondissement—between avenue Montaigne, avenue des Champs-Elysées and avenue George V—the apartment was destined to be fashionable. The building’s Hausmannian architecture and a charming interior courtyard make way for modern interior architectural detailing that had been done during a previous renovation. Hardwood floors with deep black knotting, slatted wood paneling, and blue lacquer in the built-ins gave the apartment an interesting contemporary twist against the otherwise classic backdrop, including the original fireplace from the Hausmann era. Laure Nell Interiors played up this dichotomy with playfully curated furnishings and lighting found during Paris Design Week: a mid-century Tulip table in the dining room, a coffee table from the NV Gallery x J’aime tout chez toi capsule collection, and a fireside chair from Popus Editions, a Paris-London furniture line with a restrained French take on British-inspired hues. In the bedroom, black and white details nod to Coco Chanel and ochre-colored bedding keeps the aesthetic current. A pendant from Oi Soi Oi lends the room a minimalist Asian element reminiscent of Laurent’s time in Kyoto. Thanks to tall ceilings and the mezzanine loft space that had been added above the kitchen, the apartment exudes a feeling of grandeur despite its small footprint. Photos by Gilles Trillard

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW As with most projects, it all started with the kitchen layout. The home owners came to us wanting to upgrade their kitchen and overall aesthetic in their suburban home, with a combination of fresh paint, updated finishes, and improved flow for more ease when doing everyday activities. A monochromatic, earth-toned palette left the kitchen feeling uninspired. It lacked the brightness they wanted from their space. An eat-in table underutilized the available square footage. The butler’s pantry was out of the way and hard to access, and the dining room felt detached from the kitchen. Lead Designer, Stephanie Cole, saw an improved layout for the spaces that were no longer working for this family. By eliminating an existing wall between the kitchen and dining room, and relocating the bar area to the dining room, we opened up the kitchen, providing all the space we needed to create a dreamy and functional layout. A new perimeter configuration promoted circulation while also making space for a large and functional island loaded with seating – a must for any family. Because an island that isn’t big enough for everyone (and a few more) is a recipe for disaster. The light white cabinetry is fresh and contrasts with the deeper tones in the wood flooring, creating a modern aesthetic that is elevated, yet approachable for everyday living. With better flow as the overarching goal, we made some structural changes too. To remove a bottleneck in the entryway, we angled one of the dining room walls to create more natural separation between rooms and facilitate ease of movement throughout the large space. At The Kitchen Studio, we believe a well-designed kitchen uses every square inch to the fullest. By starting from scratch, it was possible to rethink the entire kitchen layout and design the space according to how it is used, because the kitchen shouldn’t make it harder to feed the family. A new location for the existing range, flanked by a new column refrigerator and freezer on each side, worked to anchor the space. The very large and very spacious island (a dream island if we do say so ourselves) now houses the primary sink and provides ample space for food prep and family gathering. The new kitchen table and coordinating banquette seating provide a cozy nook for quick breakfasts before school or work, and evening homework sessions. Elegant gold details catch the natural light, elevating the aesthetic. The dining room was transformed into one of this client’s favorite spaces and we couldn’t agree more. We saw an opportunity to give the dining room a more distinguished identity by closing off the entrance from the foyer. The relocated wet bar enhances the sophisticated vibe of this gathering space, complete with beautiful antique mirror tiles and open shelving encased by moody built-in cabinets. Updated furnishings add warmth. A rich walnut table is paired with custom chairs in a muted coral fabric. The large, transitional chandelier grounds the room, pairing beautifully with the gold finishes prevalent in the faucet and cabinet hardware. Linen-inspired wallpaper and cream-toned window treatments add to the glamorous feel of this entertainment space. There is no way around it. The laundry room was cramped. The large washer and dryer blocked access to the sink and left little room for the space to serve its other essential function – as a mudroom. Because we reworked the kitchen layout to create more space overall, we could rethink the mudroom too – an essential for any busy family. The first step was moving the washer and dryer to an existing area on the second floor, where most of the family’s laundry lives (no one wants to carry laundry up and down the stairs if they don’t have to anyway). This is a more functional solution and opened up the space for all the mudroom necessities – including the existing kitchen refrigerator, loads of built-in cubbies, and a bench. It’s hard to not fall in love with every detail of a new space, especially when it serves your day-to-day life. But that doesn’t mean the clients didn’t have their favorite features they use on the daily. This remodel was focused largely on function with a new kitchen layout. And it’s the functional features that have the biggest impact. The large island provides much needed workspace in the kitchen and is a spot where everyone gathers together – it grounds the space and the family. And the custom counter stools are the icing on the cake. The nearby mudroom has everything their previous space was lacking – ample storage, space for everyone’s essentials, and the beloved cement floor tiles that are both durable and artistic.

サクラメントにある高級な中くらいなミッドセンチュリースタイルのおしゃれなダイニング (緑の壁、無垢フローリング、茶色い床、パネル壁) の写真

オースティンにある高級な中くらいなミッドセンチュリースタイルのおしゃれなダイニングキッチン (グレーの壁、淡色無垢フローリング、パネル壁) の写真

formal dining room with wall detail
他の地域にあるラグジュアリーな広いミッドセンチュリースタイルのおしゃれな独立型ダイニング (黒い壁、淡色無垢フローリング、パネル壁、茶色い床) の写真

ナントにある中くらいなミッドセンチュリースタイルのおしゃれなダイニング (セラミックタイルの床、壁紙) の写真

Ristrutturazione ristorante di carni pregiate in zona Porta Genova a Milano.
ミラノにある高級な広いミッドセンチュリースタイルのおしゃれなLDK (ベージュの壁、磁器タイルの床、茶色い床、板張り天井、壁紙) の写真

Très beau séjour/cuisine réalisé dans cette extension complexe au coeur de Lille.
リールにあるお手頃価格の中くらいなミッドセンチュリースタイルのおしゃれなLDK (白い壁、淡色無垢フローリング、薪ストーブ、金属の暖炉まわり、ベージュの床、表し梁、レンガ壁) の写真

ボルドーにある高級な中くらいなミッドセンチュリースタイルのおしゃれなダイニング (マルチカラーの壁、濃色無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、茶色い床、壁紙) の写真

formal dining room with wall detail
他の地域にあるラグジュアリーな広いミッドセンチュリースタイルのおしゃれな独立型ダイニング (黒い壁、淡色無垢フローリング、パネル壁、茶色い床) の写真