This 270-Square-Foot Paris Studio Feels Bigger (and Brighter!) After Getting Completely Reworked
When Juliane Garcia first moved into this 270-square-foot studio apartment in Paris’ Passage Gauthier, it didn’t look anything like what it does today. There were way too many walls for so little square feet, the kitchen was originally located in a dark, windowless corridor, and a small bathroom butted up against the kitchen.
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While it was dark, cramped, and in need of a considerable amount of work when purchased four years ago, the apartment — in a building from 1865 — wasn’t daunting to Juliane, a French interior architect, who worked for 10 years at renowned architecture studios.
In 2023 she founded Maison Insula, where she explores “projects at different scales, designed with the same commitment to precision, durability, and timeless aesthetics.” And the first thing she did when she became her own client? Completely gut the original layout of this tiny studio and rebuild a space that not only looked better, but also worked for Juliane and her lifestyle.
“I decided to move the bathroom on the other side of the apartment to have all the light in the kitchen and also in the living area [and] the dining area, so I really like that the kitchen is full of light,” Juliane describes.
Because relocating the bathroom allowed lots of light to reach the kitchen, she got bold with finishings, choosing black for the cabinets, counters, and the floor. Although most people choose light colors in small spaces, here the dark hue adds drama and actually seems to visually expand the small room.
Other bold choices Juliane has made in the space that fit her own life: She skipped a dishwasher and chose a wine fridge instead! And while she originally had a sofa and coffee table in the living room, she most recently added a round black dining table. Juliane loves cooking and hosting and works from home sometimes, so a dining table made more sense for how she uses her space.
Light is another important element in the space. Along with clearing the way for light to stream into the center kitchen, custom room partitions made of frosted glass provide privacy for the bedroom while still allowing natural light to flow through the space. Mirrored cabinet doors in the bedroom reflect tons of brightness back into the rest of the home, too.
When asked what kind of words Juliane would use to describe her home, she chose “quiet, light, and me.” The words I’d pick are: one of the most incredibly cozy and custom homes I’ve ever seen.
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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