A Small and Chic Paris Apartment Maximizes Every Inch

Name: Louise Lechat, husband Guillaume Lechat, and 11-month-old daughter
Location: Paris, France
Size: 580 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years, owned

My husband and I bought the apartment in 2016 and use it as our base when we are in Paris. We are both photographers. It’s in a really vibrant area of Paris called Pigalle, which is just below Montmartre. It’s on the sixth floor (without an elevator) but there is a window on the roof, which we replaced with a Velux window. When you go onto the roof you have views of the Sacre Coeur and the Eiffel tower. You feel on top of the world!

Although the apartment is small, working with our interior architect, we were able to get the maximum out of the apartment. It was important to us that we modernized it without losing the traditional touches like the chimneys in each room. Then when our daughter was born in early 2018 the office became her room and the place transitioned again, but still worked. We love the light, airy feel it has—you don’t feel like you are in a 580-square-foot apartment!

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: White and fresh but fun!

What is your favorite room and why? The kitchen! Kitchens in small Parisian apartments are always so small and squashed and not very inspiring. We really wanted as big of a kitchen as possible despite the small space, so that was our brief to the interior architect we worked with and she utilized every inch of space possible. The light in the morning and the end of the day makes breakfast and dinner just a dream!

If you could magically change something about your home, what would it be? Maybe a bit more space and definitely an elevator!!

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? Last thing I got were some ceramic cups to add to the ever-expanding collection! I have a weird obsession with cups/mugs—anyone else? I found them in a local market!

Any advice for creating a home you love? Get inspired from everything! I love clean white spaces but love adding a pop of color so it isn’t too white. I love items that we pick up from work travels that have story. Don’t follow trends too much… and you can never have enough storage!

Thanks, Louise!

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