5 Smart Design Moves That Turned an Old Paris Atelier into a Multifunctional Home

Once an empty artist’s atelier, this 33sqm/355sqft ground-floor loft was reimagined by Sophie Berck and Pauline Girardot of Petit Jour Architecture as a compact home that lives far larger than its footprint. They placed the kitchen, bathroom, and storage along the darkest edge of the plan, keeping the lounge and mezzanine workspace open to the garden. A palette of brushed steel, enameled lava stone, spruce joinery, and aged mirror doors adds light and texture, while the platform’s integrated desk and slide-away bed allow the apartment to shift between uses easily. A home this small relies on a few key decisions to guide how it feels and functions. Below, we share five design details that illustrate the thoughtful creativity behind the renovation.

1. A Boldly Painted Entrance That Defines the Space
‍2. Mirrored Floor-to-Ceiling Storage That Doubles the Light
‍3. A Sculptural Radiator That Doubles as an Art Object
‍4. A Desk That Extends Elegantly Into Shelving
‍5. A Pull-Out Bed That Disappears Effortlessly

1. A Boldly Painted Entrance That Defines the Space

To give the apartment a “welcoming impression”, Berck and Girardot designed a compact entry washed in a rich red-orange shade making it a striking contrast to the rest of the home. They extended the colour onto the lowered ceiling to hide the electrical panel and introduce a subtle sense of compression - a moment of tension that makes the rest of the apartment feel instantly more open. It was a simple, graphic move with a big spatial payoff. As you move from the entry into the main space, the kitchen feels visually airy thanks to the designers’ decision to place the oven-microwave away from the main cabinetry.

2. Mirrored Floor-to-Ceiling Storage That Doubles the Light

To prevent the storage zone from feeling heavy in such a compact plan, the designers clad the floor-to-ceiling cupboard in aged mirror doors. These panels catch the greenery from the garden, adding depth and brightness. It’s a well-used piece of joinery disguised as a light-giving surface. Behind the doors is ample storage for wardrobe essentials and cleaning tools, but outwardly the unit acts like another window, brightening the entire apartment.

3. A Sculptural Radiator That Doubles as an Art Object

Instead of trying to hide the heater, the designers chose sculptural finned radiator piece that reads like an industrial artefact preserved from the building’s atelier past. Its tubular form and industrial lines echo the building’s history and bring an unexpected interest to a practical object. It becomes part of the visual language of the room – adding character without taking up extra space.

4. A Desk That Extends Elegantly Into Shelving

On the mezzanine, Berck and Girardot used salvaged oak from an old train wagon to craft a desk surface that flows into a run of open shelves, forming one continuous piece of joinery. This move makes the workspace feel unified and intentional rather than pieced together. The warm oak softens the industrial context of the loft, while the continuous line visually stretches the mezzanine, making it feel more like a dedicated room than a small elevated platform.

5. A Pull-Out Bed That Disappears Effortlessly

The pull-out bed is a revelation for small-space living. Thanks to discreet rollers and tracks, it glides smoothly beneath the mezzanine without needing straps, folding, or extra handling. But most importantly, the bed can slide away fully made – pillows, blankets, everything – transforming the space back into a generous living room within seconds. It’s practical and perfectly suited to the flexible lifestyle the clients envisioned.

While these five highlights showcase the apartment’s smartest moves, there are many noteworthy moments. The industrial steel beams that recall the atelier’s past, the soft reflections bouncing between tile and brushed metal, and the way the garden terrace visually extends the living space into greenery all contribute to the apartment’s calm atmosphere.

For a deeper look at the project, Jean-Baptiste Thiriet’s photography below captures the materiality and proportions that shape its creative, carefully considered feel.