This 450-Square-Foot Paris Apartment Is a ’60s Dream

Amanda Sims
Updated

With its stark white walls, lack of molding, very few windows, and just 450 square feet in total, the Paris apartment Rebecca Benichou recently renovated for some repeat clients wasn't exactly inspiring to begin with. "It wasn't in a bad shape, but it had a lot of walls everywhere, so really bad—well, you know. We had to destroy everything and rebuild everything in three months," says the designer, whose firm, Batiik Studio, is well-versed in the art of layering personality into blank slates. The tiny footprint really didn't deter them; these two apartments, also quite small, were both commissions from the same owners, who now rent out all three on Airbnb (hot-travel-tip alert). But this one provided unique obstacles: The only windows were located at one end of the narrow floor plan, so light would be an issue. And, oh yeah, the owners wanted it to sleep four adults.

Batiik did what it does best and made something—a lot of it—out of nothing. "We wanted it to have a ’60s vibe," Rebecca says, to match the building's architecture. So in went terrazzo floors in colors specially selected for the apartment. A wall of built-ins was constructed along the hallway, housing closets, the washing machine, and some technical aspects that are better covered up. Her contractor used an inexpensive wood, painted it white, and then polished the dried surface to reveal a softer textural finish that highlights the grain (some crafty budgeting methods had to be devised after splurging on the floor). A bedroom was also constructed, albeit along a windowless wall—the only option. So to light the room, Rebecca closed it with glass doors, installing a curtain along the inside for privacy. The finished apartment was topped off with covetable furnishings: Charlotte Perriand light fixtures, a dining table it custom-made for the space, and all manner of ceramic accessories. Here's how the designer tricked out the rest of the home.

"We used this old glass that has this style that kind of blurs the space inside, gives it vibrations," Rebecca explains.
"We used this old glass that has this style that kind of blurs the space inside, gives it vibrations," Rebecca explains.
Photo: Bertrand Fompeyrine
The kitchen, carved out of one of the walls of built-ins, is peachy Corian, a material Batiik has returned to time and again for its durability (this is a vacation rental apartment, after all).
The kitchen, carved out of one of the walls of built-ins, is peachy Corian, a material Batiik has returned to time and again for its durability (this is a vacation rental apartment, after all).
"We just figured out the colors," Rebecca says of their terrazzo pattern. "You know, it's just a feeling."
"We just figured out the colors," Rebecca says of their terrazzo pattern. "You know, it's just a feeling."
A dark paint was selected because the bedroom was going to be dark no matter what, resulting in a cocoon-like vibe. Cheerful accents abound—peep those red Perriand sconces.
A dark paint was selected because the bedroom was going to be dark no matter what, resulting in a cocoon-like vibe. Cheerful accents abound—peep those red Perriand sconces.
The wall of built-ins comes to a close at a little customized bench seat—Rebecca's design. The table she also devised with the help of her contractor: a round sheet of blue MDF set atop four metal pillars, which he coated in high-gloss rose paint.
The wall of built-ins comes to a close at a little customized bench seat—Rebecca's design. The table she also devised with the help of her contractor: a round sheet of blue MDF set atop four metal pillars, which he coated in high-gloss rose paint.
Outside the bedroom, a long, low storage shelf doubles as bench seating.
Outside the bedroom, a long, low storage shelf doubles as bench seating.
"We wanted something strong, since people who are staying there are not really taking care of it," Rebecca says, so she went with Corian not just on the counter but also the backsplash and walls of the kitchen nook.
"We wanted something strong, since people who are staying there are not really taking care of it," Rebecca says, so she went with Corian not just on the counter but also the backsplash and walls of the kitchen nook.
A sofa, barely visible outside the bedroom doors, folds out to sleep two more guests. And that simple, statement-making sconce above the table? A budget choice.
A sofa, barely visible outside the bedroom doors, folds out to sleep two more guests. And that simple, statement-making sconce above the table? A budget choice.
LED strip lighting in the kitchen is minimal and effective. The shelf was painted to match the color of the Corian.
LED strip lighting in the kitchen is minimal and effective. The shelf was painted to match the color of the Corian.
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