Marion's Organic, Modern Space
Name: Marion Jacques
Instagram: @soeursjacques
Size: 290 square feet
Home type: Apartment
Location: Paris, France
What you're looking at:
This first room is my living room, office, dining room, yoga studio... all in barely 85 square feet! I managed to fit everything I need (a proper couch, my favorite armchair, storage, my ever-growing vinyl records collection, and of course PLANTS), but I tried to make it feel cozy rather than crowded by sticking to neutral colors and comfy textures. (Image credit: Marion Jacques)This first room is my living room, office, dining room, yoga studio... all in barely 85 square feet! I managed to fit everything I need (a proper couch, my favorite armchair, storage, my ever-growing vinyl records collection, and of course PLANTS), but I tried to make it feel cozy rather than crowded by sticking to neutral colors and comfy textures.
Limited square footage also means that wall space is at a premium! It made me become a lot more mindful when choosing what to put on my walls — and when to restrain from hanging anything at all. Having some negative space definitely gives your eyes a place to rest, while highlighting even more what you choose to display! I took my time when deciding what to showcase in my home, curating only meaningful pieces: Polaroids from past birthday parties, handwritten notes, a photograph from Jamie Beck's beautiful #IsolationCreation series, cherished travel pictures...
Years lived in: 7 months, owned
Household: No one
Have any design professionals worked on this space? No
Do you currently live in your Small/Cool space full-time? Yes
Describe your space:
My home is located in the 11th arrondissement, which I love for its vibrant atmosphere — it’s packed with culture, great restaurants, and cute shops! It is my very first home, so I was over the moon to finally be able to create the chic, neutral but inviting safe haven I'd always dreamed of. Since it's only 290 square feet, designing it was a delicate balance between not wanting to feel claustrophobic while still aiming to achieve a layered and collected look, with a few quirky details. I joke that it is my Goldilocks apartment: neither too big nor too small, just the right size for me!
Did you DIY anything in your space? And, if so, what's your favorite DIY?
The apartment already had beautiful floors but was lacking a bit of character, so I knew when I made an offer that I would have to find a way to recreate some of it myself. My proudest DIYs are the ones that gave some flair to the place, such as to the molding I added to the living room’s walls and doors: my first time using a saw and first real attempt at handiwork. Another really cheap and accessible DIY was adding black diamonds to my entryway’s basic white tiles with paint. It took a few hours but turned out even better than I expected!
How do you make your small space work for you and feel bigger than it really is?
A small square footage is probably most Parisians' biggest hurdle! I had to find how to neatly and optimally add storage without it being too obvious or cluttered. I managed to fit a big wardrobe, but I also use the space under my bed to store my laundry drying rack, spare bed sheets, and yoga equipment; my summer clothes are in a box under the couch; suitcases and Christmas decor are stored away in the entryway’s ceiling... Having a tiny home requires careful space planning and ingenuity — it did encourage me to be more creative but most importantly more mindful when purchasing anything.
How does your home reflect you?
I specifically chose neutral colors to create the perfect backdrop for some unexpected elements I carefully curated over the years: objects I thrifted, travel souvenirs, photos I took, or family heirlooms. I love being surrounded by pieces that make me feel connected to my friends and family, while being great conversation starters! For example: the brass heron I got from my maternal grandmother, a vintage Kodak Brownie camera, my grandfather's pocket watch, romance novels from the '60s, the disco ball from my 26th birthday party... mementos of happy moments that remind me to be grateful!