Before and After: A Small Brittany Apartment Transforms from Dark to Pastel Haven

Steeped in family history, this 26 m² pied-à-terre has become a cozy retreat for its Breton owner. An invitation to experience Paris differently, inside a welcoming cocoon designed by Charlotte Gille.

A Small 1970s Apartment

The sense of confinement was noticeable as soon as you entered the apartment, along the long corridor that lined up the bathroom and the kitchen, producing a funnel-like visual effect. This elongated configuration and the partitioning created a clear lack of natural light, the only glass door being at the far end of the apartment.

Completely reimagined, the kitchen now offers a semi-open space to the hallway. A partial-height glass wall lets in light while harmoniously isolating the sleeping area. The custom oak façades and the pink-and-gold zellige backsplash Mosaic Factory add warmth and refinement to the whole. Salt and pepper mills by Kameme Concept.

Before/After: Motifs, Stripes and Soft Colors

The pink ceiling ties together the three open spaces from the entry to the glass wall. A shared passion of the client and Charlotte, the bayadère motif energizes the apartment and adds texture. Striped wallpaper “Octave” and paint color “Nude,” Maison Janette; Marius portable lamp, Oustao; Console and stools, La Redoute Intérieurs; placemats, napkins and tableware, Søstrene Grene.

Previously, the cramped kitchen had been reduced to its bare minimum, its Formica façades dating from the building’s construction in the 1970s. Moreover, the room was windowless and required artificial lighting.

“Because this is a pied-à-terre, I could push creativity further, whereas for an apartment you live in every day I favor timelessness,” says architect Charlotte Gille. The kitchen is both functional and pleasing to look at with its play of textures and pastel colors. In response to the pink ceiling, the chosen materials create rhythm and personality.
Ceiling light by La Quincaillerie Moderne; cutting boards and dishes by Søstrene Grene.

Before/After: Sage Green, Powder Pink and Light Wood — the Palette That Changes Everything

Previously, the bedroom consisted of just a bed placed against the wall with a nightstand. The décor was nearly nonexistent; no arrangement had been planned to make the room welcoming and comfortable. The pink and green tones of the apartment come from a painting of a dancer belonging to the owner. Like in a hotel room, the bed sits at the center of the living space.
Bedding “Ohana,” sage green throw “Jazzy” and cushions “Arty,” all by Essix; bedside table “Brasero,” AM.PM; pink lamp “Colonnade,” La Quincaillerie Moderne; Marius portable lamp, Oustao.

The bathroom layout wasn’t ideal either, with the toilet tucked beside the sink. The fittings lacked charm and appeal and deserved a refresh.

Sage green and powder pink create a soft, enveloping ambiance. Books and objects have found a home in the library drawn by Charlotte and painted in the color “On dirait le Sud” by Bilboquet Deco. Storage boxes and candles Søstrene Grene; lamp “Penelope,” The Lemonade Home.

The bathroom blends polished concrete by Mercadier and cement tiles by Mosaic Factory in soft tones, while wood and brass add a refined touch. Better organized, the distinct spaces are separated by a partition. More practical, a shower tray replaced the original bathtub. Ikea vanity; Le Joli Shop mirror.