Meow Meow

Dreaming of a spacious, light-filled city apartment that somehow also stores everything you own without feeling like a storage unit? For most of us battling tight urban quarters, that’s the ultimate design fantasy. But for architect Fran L., co-founder of Sun Building Workshop, it became a stunning reality. Her sister’s 33-square-meter (that’s about 355 square feet) apartment in Paris’s Maxéville neighborhood isn’t just a home; it’s a masterclass in maximizing every inch. This isn’t just a reno; it’s a testament to how smart, intentional design can completely transform a compact space, even one with a bit of history.

The marching orders were clear: open up the space and create a ton of storage for plants and clothes. Fran, with her expert eye, delivered a home that feels dramatically larger than its actual footprint, proving definitively that less space absolutely can mean more style and incredible functionality.

The Secret Sauce: A Seamless Birch Plywood System
The absolute game-changer in this apartment is the continuous birch plywood joinery. Forget disjointed cabinets; this is the true backbone of the design, a seamless system that flows through the entire volume. It intelligently integrates the kitchen, provides abundant storage, forms the stairs to the mezzanine, and even creates the base for the upper-level bedroom. This isn’t just furniture; it’s the central nervous system that connects every space fluidly and solves the storage dilemma head-on.

Multifunctional Surfaces: The lower sections of this integrated joinery aren’t just for storage; they cleverly double as versatile surfaces for displaying plants, mirrors, and personal touches. Plus, they offer casual seating when friends drop by.
Hidden Depths: Even the often-wasted space under the staircase is ingeniously utilized. An archway provides access to clever, deep storage, extending even under the first two steps for larger items.
From 80s Relic to Luminous Urban Oasis
This apartment was stuck in a time warp, last renovated in the 1980s, with a somewhat awkward 70s vibe. The original layout was a maze of compartmentalized rooms, featuring a toilet bizarrely by the entrance and the shower tucked away on the opposite side, next to the bedroom.

Fran’s bold first move? Knocking down the partition walls that chopped up the rooms. This single decision was transformative, allowing natural light to flood in through the three large windows, instantly making the living room feel spacious and breathable. But wait, there’s more! By removing the old ceiling, they made a brilliant discovery: an extra 50 centimeters (nearly 20 inches) of vertical space. This bonus height was absolutely crucial for creating that fabulous mezzanine bedroom above the kitchen. The toilet was also strategically relocated into a new, more central bathroom. Step inside now, and you’re immediately wrapped in a bright, warm atmosphere, enhanced by a curtain at the front door that makes the space feel more intimate and inviting.

The Kitchen That Works Hard (and Looks Good Doing It!)
Even though the kitchen is nestled under the mezzanine, resulting in a slightly lower ceiling height, it feels remarkably open. The secret? A smart choice: crisp white for the walls and ceiling to visually expand the space.

The undisputed star of this compact kitchen is the large island counter. This isn’t just a prep area; it’s designed as a true multi-functional hub for cooking, eating, entertaining, or even working. This powerhouse island cleverly integrates an induction stove, a countertop extractor, an oven, and even more storage. To further define the kitchen visually without closing it off, they used large gray concrete-looking tiles for the floor and a distinctive greenish-blue color for the cabinets and splashback. And let’s talk smart appliance choices: a smaller fridge fits perfectly under the stairs, and after four years, Fran’s sister hasn’t even missed a bigger one. A washing machine is neatly tucked away in a corner below a pantry, maintaining a clean, clutter-free look from the living area.

Living Room: Parisian Charm Meets Modern Ingenuity
With that main wall gone, the living room is now drenched in natural light from its three large windows, truly becoming a spacious and breathable zone. Adding a playful touch, a green wallpaper accent adorns one side of the back wall where a chimney runs – a clever way to integrate an existing feature. Additional shelves and a cabinet provide even more storage here.

The floor itself is a showstopper: a beautiful herringbone pattern in natural oak. This isn’t just a design choice; it’s a subtle, sophisticated nod to Parisian bourgeois tradition, making a distinct statement in this working-class neighborhood. And yes, that continuous joinery extends right into the living room, maintaining that clean, connecting line and offering even more storage for clothes and household items. These low storage units are perfect for displaying plants, mirrors, and other personal items, and they even serve as extra seating when friends are over.

The Mezzanine: A Cozy Cocoon in the Sky
The custom-designed staircase leads up to what Fran aptly describes as a “cozy cocoon” bedroom. The stairs are intelligently designed so you can stand on a platform right next to the bed and even have standing height when you roll out of bed – pure genius for a compact space!.

Despite its compact nature, the bedroom feels both open and incredibly intimate. This is achieved by strategically leaving enough space around the mattress and incorporating open shelves along the window. While the mattress sits directly on the floor, a clever ventilation system was built underneath. More storage for private items is integrated into shelves at the end of the stairs, and every bit of space around the stairs was maximized for additional storage.

Bathroom: Flow, Function, and Privacy
The bathroom, benefiting from full ceiling height and a small window overlooking a courtyard, boasts excellent airflow. It features a custom vanity unit that perfectly fits into the corner – a thoughtful adjustment made during renovation when a traditional vanity just wouldn’t cut it. A small niche with shelves and the hot water tank is conveniently located in front of the toilet.

For both space efficiency and crucial privacy, especially when guests are using the facilities, the shower is in its own dedicated part of the bathroom. As Fran wisely notes, Parisian apartments are rarely perfectly square, demanding constant creativity in making compact spaces feel as spacious, luminous, and comfortable as possible. This apartment is a beautiful testament to finding that delicate balance and perfecting those proportions. This Paris apartment isn’t just a place to live; it’s a masterclass in thoughtful, intelligent design that proves small spaces can truly live large.