The Queen of Small Spaces Strikes Again with a Chic Parisian Apartment Makeover

A once soulless room, more suited to students, has been transformed into a miniature apartment by the ’queen of small spaces’ interior designer Marianne Evennou.

Marianne was tasked with the job of designing the 270ft² (25m²⁾ mini apartment in Saint-Germain-des-Prés by her clients Xavier and Chelo. While they are based in Barcelona, they are legal advisors for a French Media group, requiring Xavier to spend one week a month in Paris.

Xavier had previously resided in a company residence in the building, so when the small apartment came up for sale, they knew they had to own it.

When Marianne first stepped foot in the apartment, she noted its near-perfect condition. A developer had recently renovated it, and it seemed a shame to redo everything.

However, it lacked functionality and warmth, and the layout was far from optimal. The apartment had a large open space on one side and a wardrobe and bathroom on the other that were both far too large and cut into practical living space. The apartment was also located on a dark first floor. Marianne certainly had her work cut out for her.

After Marianne was finished, she had created a miniature apartment with its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and living room. It also had a bedroom with a dressing room and office area.

Marianne addressed the lack of light by creating a glass wall to separate the kitchen from the entrance and installing an interior window in the wall between the bedroom and the living area. The icing on the cake was the burst of color she injected into the once-drab space with paint and wallpaper. What was once an all-purpose cube had become a real flat or apartment that felt like a personalized hotel suite.

Stepping into the entrance of this apartment felt like entering a luxury hotel room. Interior designer Marianne Evennou chose a moody wall and door color and paired it with an Ananbô wallpaper by Anne Boghossian to deliver a theatrical touch. Marianne created the entrance space to function as a bubble between the inside and outside.

Developers had only recently renovated the 270ft² (25m²⁾ apartment, but it was more suitable for students than busy working professionals. Marianne transformed it from a boring cube into a miniature apartment with its own entrance. The warm and welcoming entrance guides you into the quaint kitchen, with the living area to the right.

The kitchen is functional, fully equipped, and has plenty of storage space. It also has a well-placed bistro table and folding chairs from Maison Gatti in front of the window to add a beautiful Parisian touch to the kitchen.

The main challenge of this apartment in Saint-Germain-des-Prés was incorporating enough storage space. Marianne had to get creative and use every nook and cranny. In the kitchen, she installed open shelves above the cabinetry, adjacent to closed cabinets.

The light color scheme in the kitchen is fresh and inviting. It also lightens up the area that once used to be dark and lifeless.

You’ll notice the lack of bare walls in this apartment for occupant Xavier. Marianne believes it’s important to introduce transparency to let your eyes circulate. She regularly installs bay windows into walls to enhance visual perspectives. This apartment was no exception to the rule.

The cozy living room has a comfortable sofa, a table from Maison Caravane, and a beautiful Ada Kilim rug.

Thanks to the unique color palettes, each room has its own identity. Xavier can feel like he’s in a personalized hotel suite.

Marianne played with transparency and created a glass wall to separate the kitchen from the entrance. You’ll also notice the interior window installed between the bedroom and living room to offer the illusion of pushing back the walls and letting light escape.

In the previous apartment design, the wardrobe in the bedroom took up far too much room. Marianne reduced its size and painted it the same color as the walls to make it blend in rather than stand out.

Marianne took advantage of the smallest nooks and crannies to create more storage space. The walls are fully interactive.

A desk in the bedroom with built-in shelves and drawers on either side is the perfect workspace for Xavier, who visits the apartment one week a month from Barcelona.

The bathroom is adjacent to the living area, with the door so cleverly painted you’d hardly know it’s there.

The once-too-large bathroom has been reduced in size while still maintaining functionality and style. Marianne’s goal is to limit the bathroom to the bare minimum and use a simple black-and-white palette. She believes it’s important not to overload the decor.

Marianne thought of every detail to maximize the space. You’ll notice a lack of cumbersome radiators throughout since an underfloor heating system keeps the apartment warm.

Photos © Stephan Julliard