Jean-Marc grew up between France and the U.S., and when he’s in Paris, he misses the space and light of Southern California. So he solved that problem by finding an airy 180m2 (1937-square-foot) converted loft in a former factory in the 19th arrondissement.

The building now houses private apartments as well as a dance and music studio. A neighbor tagged the walls of the common space in bright colors. The four flights of stairs to Jean-Marc’s top floor apartment are a bit steep...

But once you’re inside, you can’t hear the neighbors and walls of beveled glass provide both privacy and light. Concrete floors are painted white. Sliding pocket doors separate the two bedrooms from one another and from the voluminous main living space.

“I love the feeling in this place," says Jean-Marc. It’s like a spaceship -- you could be anywhere.”

And the best part? “It’s skateboard friendly,” he says, taking a spin through his bachelor pad, filled with furniture and artwork picked up from travels around the world. Jean-Marc has a striking 1930s green-lacquered Belgian desk, but prefers to read or catch up on paperwork seated on an antique Windsor chair at his French country dining table. “I like to sit here and look out over my dominion,” he says, scanning the open living areas, “like my dad did with his farm.”

- Kristin Hohenadel blogging from rue Vieille du Temple, Paris, France. She can be reached at kristin @ apartmenttherapy . com