A Parisian apartment located in the 7th arrondissement in the Invalides neighbourhood is transformed into a family home that also forms the backdrop to a unique art collection.
Housed in a typical Hausmanian dating back to 1880, with an L-shaped floorplan revolving around an inner courtyard, the untouched apartment had huge potential for a well-travelled, dynamic young couple with three children.
Their curiosity led them to discover Atelier Daaa, a similarly young group of designers, on Instagram. “They liked our style, which resonated with their preferences. I also believe they appreciated that, at that time, we were young designers who could bring a certain freshness while still preserving the codes of Paris’ quiet refinement,” Atelier Daaa co-founder Pierre Petit says.
In the living room, a bronze sheep sculpture by Francois-Xavier Lalanne, Goutte d’eau coffee table by Ado Chale, lounge chair by Oscar Niemeyer, Tree lamp by Atelier Compagnie Charlot, Berger Tripod stool by Charlotte Perriand and vintage sofa by Vladimir Kagan (1950) compose a detailed picture.
The couple entrusted Atelier Daaa to completely rework their apartment, expressing their desire for a family-friendly space with shared areas that also ensured each individual had their own space. As keen art collectors, it was essential for the atelier to consider art pieces and existing furniture without making them feel fixed in place. Their concept was to completely open up the apartment to create enough open space for art pieces without feeling like being in a gallery.
Working closely with their clients, the atelier retained distinctive features such as the parquetry floors and characteristic mouldings, while introducing a touch of necessary modernity. Fireplaces were redesigned to incorporate materials like marble, metal, and bronze, and materials were prioritised more than colours in the design, as the couple’s art pieces already brought a strong colour presence to the space.
Atelier Daaa retained distinctive features such as the parquetry floors and characteristic mouldings, as seen in the Reseda green entrance space, which features the Apparatus Studio Tassel pendant and Pierre Jeanneret low chair.
“All the pieces have been collected by our clients, working closely with Parisian art dealers, whether artworks or furniture,” Pierre says. “They maintain a privileged relationship with the galleries Marcilhac and Bailly, and we have been able to exchange with them throughout the project to complete the layout.”
Atelier Daaa follow the ethos that architecture is based on details. “Whether it’s the alignments between spaces or the materials used, sometimes it’s even of the order of the invisible, but we believe that it’s felt when you live in the apartment,” Pierre says.
A highlight in the design process was the open kitchen space connected to the dining room. “This kind of space allows us, as interior designers, to express ourselves the most. We have worked on everything, from designing the kitchen and table to choosing fabrics and even the stained glass window,” Pierre says. “Every element has been custom-made to be practical for everyday life while also creating a delightful atmosphere for hosting guests.” Pierre also believes the children’s spaces reflect the mindset of the renovation. “Converting the attic space above the apartment allowed us to create spacious bedrooms for each child with a cabin-like feel, while at the same time, the open corridor with glass partitions gives the sensation that each room communicates with the other.”
This featured originally appeared in est magazine issue 50: Celebrating 50.
In the kitchen, pendant lights by Serge Mouille and Gubi Beetle stools draw focus to the central island.
In the open dining space, analog photographs by Clare Strand and Entrelacs Creation wall sconces by Felix Millory form a backdrop to the custom dining table, Warren Platner Knoll collection chairs and pendant light by Apparatus Studio.
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