Harmonious and Surprising: Enfants Rouges Paris Apartment by Studio Carré.

Nestled in the historic Marais district of Paris, the latest project by Studio Carré, helmed by interior designer Paul Levaillant, transforms a traditional Parisian apartment into a contemporary haven. The design leverages the space’s unique geometry, creating a dynamic interplay between modern elements and preserved historical features.

The entrance, narrow yet inviting, sets the tone for the apartment, with a striking depth effect achieved through the use of black in the bathroom and strategically placed mirrors. These mirrors not only enhance the sense of space but also conceal unsightly masonry and technical elements, maintaining the apartment’s aesthetic integrity.

The expansive living-dining room opens up to its full width. This space presents a landscape of varied arrangements, shapes, dimensions, and colours. Each line and angle is meticulously planned to guide the eye in a 360° view, creating a cohesive experience. The large bedroom serves as a backdrop for the living room, while the smaller bedroom offers a similar perspective for the kitchen, enhancing the sense of depth and continuity throughout the apartment.

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Custom fittings are seamlessly integrated into every corner, blending effortlessly with the overall geometry. The living room, for example, features a suspended sideboard and low Alpi-wood furniture by Ettore Sottsass. The combination of white, grey, and black tones with chocolate brown oiled oak window sills creates a harmonious yet contrasting ensemble.

In keeping with contemporary design principles, the flooring throughout the apartment is uniform and continuous, spreading into each space to unify the different areas. Meanwhile, the original terracotta tiles and ceiling beams are preserved in the living space, offering a nod to the rich history of the Enfants Rouges district.

One of the most surprising elements is the kitchen, where a slightly orange-tinged blood red is used as an absolute monochrome. This bold choice is complemented by stainless steel fixtures that reflect the warm hues, creating a vibrant and inviting space. The furniture and decor further assert the architectural intentions, blending Italian romanticism with the creative madness of Sottsass’s antidesign, brutalist elements, and vintage 50s postmodernist pieces.

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The curated furniture pieces add to the interior’s unique character. Highlights include a Sigmachair Editions sofa from Italy, circa 1950, a chrome metal magazine rack by Novatrend from 1980, a coffee table by Warren Platner for Knoll International from 1960, and brutalist dining room furniture by Olavi Hanninen for Aranjou from the 1950s.

Measuring a total of 70 sqm, the third-floor apartment features a living room/dining room, a kitchen, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. With a modest construction budget and a duration of four months, the project exemplifies efficient and innovative design.

Paul Levaillant of Studio Carré encapsulates the project’s ethos: “A modernity that reveals the history of the place.” This philosophy is evident throughout the Enfants Rouges apartment, where every design choice respects the past while embracing the present, resulting in a living space that is both timeless and contemporary.

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[Images courtesy of Studio Carré. Photography by Oracle Paris / Clément Gérard.]