Parisian Duplex Transformed for Empty Nesters with Light and Openness by Studio Baha.

In the charming Odéon district of Paris’s Left Bank, an 80sqm duplex has been reimagined by Studio Baha. This family home once bustled with children, but as they moved on to spaces of their own, the owners sought to transform their nest into something more open and luminous.

The renovation stripped away partitions to create a flowing, light-drenched living area where kitchen, dining, and living spaces blend seamlessly. Velux windows allow sunlight to cascade through the space, highlighting the materials—a conversation between warm timber, raw stone, and brushed stainless steel.

What could have been an architectural headache—an immovable central post—became an elegant solution, subtly defining different zones without disrupting the open-plan concept.

Architectural Frames: Marcante-Testa Transform Milan’s Historic Attic Apartment.

Milanese context, historical figures, Japanese concept of Shakkei (borrowed scenery), and Umberto Riva’s design philosophy that furniture design is an extension of architecture underpin this historic attic apartment renovation by Marcante-Testa.

At the space’s heart sits a terracotta-clad fireplace, transformed into a sculptural centrepiece around which daily life revolves. “The main challenge was to successfully define functional spaces despite the removal of all partitions,” explains Ariane Bromberger of Studio Baha. “It was essential to establish a cohesive design approach when selecting materials—ensuring simplicity without becoming dull, allowing the furniture to take centre stage.”

The thoughtful approach extends to clever storage solutions. A reading banquette beside the fireplace conceals hidden storage compartments, while a platform for artwork lends the space a gallery-like quality.

The transformation continues upstairs, where the master bedroom functions as a private suite. An oak-framed glass partition connects the bathroom to the bedroom, maintaining the project’s emphasis on flow and openness. The material palette remains consistent—oak, raw stone, and polished concrete—while a headboard crafted from mixed terracotta tiles echoes textures used elsewhere.

Vintage pieces and Italian designer furniture add character, each chosen to complement the material palette and enhance the atmosphere.

“I am particularly proud of having integrated sufficient storage solutions within this now open and highly attic-like space,” Bromberger notes, “optimising every inch while maintaining both functionality and aesthetic harmony.”

The result is a space that feels both expansive and intimate—a sophisticated Parisian haven that balances aesthetic ambition with practical living.

No Stone Unturned: OR23 in Madrid by Estudio Reciente.

This Madrid home was made to enhance every hour of the day. From first morning light, dancing across the polished regal green stone flooring, to the soft, warm midday hum lazing around the living room...

[Images courtesy of Studio Baha. Photography by BCDF Studio.]