Paris Houzz Tour: Bed in a Drawer and a Concealed Corner in 20sqm
Limited floor space wasn't the only challenge in this studio: see this designer's clever solution for an unusual angle
When this young woman decided to buy her first home, she fell for this 20-square-metre studio flat with an open-plan kitchen and comfortable bathroom. Although it’s a small space, it’s in a pretty building ideally situated in the centre of Lamorlaye, just north of Paris, France.
The studio needed a complete overhaul. The owner realised that the living room’s unusual angles would be a complication, and would require a qualified expert. She found interior designer Patricia Coignard on Houzz. Right from the first meeting, Coignard took on both the structural challenges and the owner’s wish to turn her first home into a cosy and trendy nest.
The studio needed a complete overhaul. The owner realised that the living room’s unusual angles would be a complication, and would require a qualified expert. She found interior designer Patricia Coignard on Houzz. Right from the first meeting, Coignard took on both the structural challenges and the owner’s wish to turn her first home into a cosy and trendy nest.
Interior designer and decorator Patricia Coignard spotted the owner’s main concern right away on her first visit. “When I entered the living area, a sharp angle caught my eye. It visually reduced the size of the room and caused a lot of grief,” she says.
Despite this difficult geometry, the young woman asked Coignard to find a tailor-made solution that would fit a living room, a full-fledged double bed and storage space into this small studio. She also wanted to revamp the original kitchen. And the end result had to be very ‘her,’ a place where she and her beloved cat could feel good.
Despite this difficult geometry, the young woman asked Coignard to find a tailor-made solution that would fit a living room, a full-fledged double bed and storage space into this small studio. She also wanted to revamp the original kitchen. And the end result had to be very ‘her,’ a place where she and her beloved cat could feel good.
Before
After The owner wanted “a cocooning, bright, Zen atmosphere with Scandinavian inspiration,” Coignard says. Together, the two decided on a soft look in white and wood.
Coignard turned to a clever colour trick to add a bit more character and create a sense of space and well-being. “I went for a trompe-l’oeil technique: using a very dark colour in the entrance hall made the living room much brighter, and therefore seemingly larger by comparison. Optical effects are very effective for resizing rooms,” she says.
Coignard turned to a clever colour trick to add a bit more character and create a sense of space and well-being. “I went for a trompe-l’oeil technique: using a very dark colour in the entrance hall made the living room much brighter, and therefore seemingly larger by comparison. Optical effects are very effective for resizing rooms,” she says.
Coignard also thought about durability when designing the entryway, and chose wood-imitation porcelain stoneware flooring. It matches the oak floor in the living room, which was sanded to lighten its tone, and then treated with a matt finish.
The original bathroom door was replaced with a glass door to bring in natural light. It also emphasises the graphic feel of the overall design by matching its geometric wooden framework to the wire in the pendant light.
She also inserted a cat flap into the door of the closet opposite. “This is how we solved the problem of the cat litter, which was a major issue. This cat is the owner’s inseparable companion, and I saw right away that its well-being was also part of the requirements,” Coignard says. She notes that it’s her job to meet all her customers’ needs, even when they are not explicitly stated.
The original bathroom door was replaced with a glass door to bring in natural light. It also emphasises the graphic feel of the overall design by matching its geometric wooden framework to the wire in the pendant light.
She also inserted a cat flap into the door of the closet opposite. “This is how we solved the problem of the cat litter, which was a major issue. This cat is the owner’s inseparable companion, and I saw right away that its well-being was also part of the requirements,” Coignard says. She notes that it’s her job to meet all her customers’ needs, even when they are not explicitly stated.
Before In the living room, the wall on the left of this photo was broken up by two built-in columns.
“We had a column that stuck out 60 centimetres, and there was also a service duct by the window,” Coignard says.
After Coignard took this as an opportunity to put lots of storage into a studio that originally had almost none. “The owner was alarmed when I suggested covering this entire section of wall with a floor-to-ceiling, full-width unit. She thought it would make the space feel cramped, but she trusted me,” Coignard says.
The designer chose a unit that is both discrete and geometric, and which also hides the columns. The television takes centre stage in an oak niche, framed at the top and bottom by cupboards that store books, the internet router, and other living room staples.
On the sides are two closets with hanging rods and drawers. On the right, open oak niches liven up the composition.
The designer chose a unit that is both discrete and geometric, and which also hides the columns. The television takes centre stage in an oak niche, framed at the top and bottom by cupboards that store books, the internet router, and other living room staples.
On the sides are two closets with hanging rods and drawers. On the right, open oak niches liven up the composition.
The owner wanted to be able to watch television from her living room, bed or kitchen. Coignard came up with a trick: “the screen is mounted on an arm that allows you to move the TV out from its niche, bring it closer and adjust it,” she says.
Before Opposite that wall was the studio’s pain point: a very pronounced recess, a “prominent and oppressive angle, so unusual that it drew all attention, making the room seem tiny,” Coignard says.
After “That was the real challenge in this project, because it had to be ‘erased’ in the process of integrating various functions into this cramped space,” Coignard says.
The owner asked her to create a cosy sitting area where she could hang out with friends, a comfortable double bed that could magically disappear and lots of storage.
The owner asked her to create a cosy sitting area where she could hang out with friends, a comfortable double bed that could magically disappear and lots of storage.
It was clear that they would need a tailor-made solution to accommodate both the geometry of the space and the owner’s requests. “We started with a 60-centimetre-tall wooden platform, with a very comfortable double bed that slides underneath. The platform can be accessed by three 20-centimetre-tall steps. The living-room space is structured by two partitions,” she says.
The slatted base and its high-end mattress have been treated like a drawer. “Equipped with wheels, the system slides on ball bearing rails positioned on the sides of the structure. I had two requirements: that the bed should pull out easily, and that it could be stored again with all of the sheets and pillows still on it, to make it easy for the young woman,” Coignard says.
As shown here, the bed can be pulled out without moving anything in the living area. This is why the platform was built to match the geometry of the walls.
Coignard didn’t have to sacrifice a single square centimetre for storage space. “I start from the principle that a flat is for living in, and not just for looking beautiful in photos. You should never sacrifice practicality for aesthetics. To the right of the bed, I created a second drawer for the woman’s luggage.”
The steps at the foot of the platform hide more storage still.
Screens smoothly and warmly delimit the living space without reducing the brightness.
Screens smoothly and warmly delimit the living space without reducing the brightness.
The owner keeps her shoes in the platform steps.
Before A wide shot of the living room during the renovation.
After The owner wanted to erase the angle visually, which can’t be done with the furniture arrangement alone. Once again, the trompe-l’oeil technique came to the rescue. Coignard resized the inside angle with dark paint: highlighting the left side and painting the angle darker makes it recede from view.
This trick is well known among interior designers, but you need to know how to use it: “a triangle that stands out too much painted on the wall can have the opposite effect,” Coignard says.
This trick is well known among interior designers, but you need to know how to use it: “a triangle that stands out too much painted on the wall can have the opposite effect,” Coignard says.
On top of all that, there was also decor to select. “My client picked it based on my recommendations: a chic 150-centimetre-wide love seat, adjustable lights, round objects to compensate for the clean lines of the platform, a cosy carpet and a comfortable, fancy kennel for her cat,” Coignard says.
Before The kitchen was in fairly good condition. The owner wanted to keep it to limit the costs, but still wanted to give it a new look and more character.
After Coignard added four game-changing features: new floors, new lighting, an improved peninsula table and a well-thought-out wall unit that serves as a link between the kitchen, the living room and the entrance.
The white kitchen cupboards were taken down temporarily to make it possible to paint the walls blue. They went for a shade lighter than that in the entrance hall. The boiler and furnace in the rear left corner disappeared behind a box painted the same colour as the rest of the wall. A dropped ceiling and new tiles with a geometric design create a sharp visual division between the kitchen and the rest of the room. LED spotlights and black pendants light up the space.
The original peninsula was pretty basic. “We enlarged it and redesigned it with an oak counter, which has turned it into a comfortable table for lunch. The waterfall counter also clearly sets out the entrance to the kitchen,” Coignard says.
The original peninsula was pretty basic. “We enlarged it and redesigned it with an oak counter, which has turned it into a comfortable table for lunch. The waterfall counter also clearly sets out the entrance to the kitchen,” Coignard says.
Before In the original kitchen, the oven column and refrigerator were against the wall on the right.
After Coignard wanted to hide functional parts of the kitchen as much as possible from the living room. The counter on the left hides the sink. Coignard changed the tap for a fancier model.
Coignard used another trick to hide the fridge and ovens, and to match the waterfall peninsula. “I designed and then had made to measure an end unit in oak and white laminate to mark the entrance to the kitchen and create a transition between it and the living room decor. To hint at the former, we painted the backs of the niches the same blue as the kitchen. This unit gives the project a real through line,” she says.
Coignard used another trick to hide the fridge and ovens, and to match the waterfall peninsula. “I designed and then had made to measure an end unit in oak and white laminate to mark the entrance to the kitchen and create a transition between it and the living room decor. To hint at the former, we painted the backs of the niches the same blue as the kitchen. This unit gives the project a real through line,” she says.
To make the most of a space like this, they had to conduct an in-depth analysis and order custom furniture. This raised the total price to about 40,000 euros. However, thanks to the quality materials and finishes, the owner should be able to enjoy her cosy nest for many years to come.
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What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, save the story, and join in the conversation.
More
Find a renovation professional in Singapore
Browse more Singapore photos for design inspiration
Flat at a Glance
Who lives here? A 24-year-old woman
Location: Lamorlaye, in the south of the Oise district, France
Year renovated: 2018
Size: 20 square metres
Interior designer: Patricia Coignard of Atmosphères Design
Budget: 40,000 euros (SGD 60,650) for the work + 5,000 euros (SGD 7,500) for the furniture and other decor