13/1/2021 9 Small-Space Ideas to Steal from a Tiny Paris Apartment

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9 Small-Space Ideas to Steal

from a Tiny Paris Apartment
by Margot Guralnick Published: March 20, 2019

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9 Small-Space Ideas to Steal
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Paris architect Philippe Harden likes to
work on a human scale. Paying close
attention to “materials, proportions, and
colors that let you feel good,” he creates
rooms that are minimalist but also
intimate and tailored for living. Case in
point: this one-bedroom apartment in an
Art Deco building close to the Eiffel
Tower that Harden remodeled for a
man who works in publishing.

Borrowing from Peter to pay Paul, the

architect reorganized the 592-square-
foot space: The former kitchen was
turned into a TV room, a closet became
the kitchen, and the bedroom fireplace
got replaced by a wardrobe—all of which
now revolve around a central living area
with a new hearth. Join us for a look at
the many ways Harden artfully makes
the most of every inch.

Photography courtesy of Philippe

Harden.

1. Paint a
recessed area a
darker shade to
create depth.

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Above: The living room’s new feature wall has a
gas replace and shelf tucked into a niche.
Harden painted it a space-enhancing green-
black that references the 1930s heritage of the
building (and was also inspired, he says, by the
bold tones of Adolph Loos’s Villa Müller in
Prague, which he visited two years
ago). Framed by Farrow & Ball Wimborne White
walls, the niche, painted in Farrow & Ball Green
Smoke, gives the room added depth and visual
interest. “Green is complementary with the
brown wood of the oor,” notes Harden. “Dark
colors are interesting because they change
color according to the di erent moments of the
day.”

2. Choose
versatile
furniture.

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Above: For the furnishings, the owner requested PICKS Search
9 Small-Space
modernist icons, including Ideas
a Noguchi co eeto Steal
from a Tiny Paris Apartment
table, Eames Walnut Stool, and Eames Lounge
and Ottoman. To make these pieces work well
together—with maneuvering space—Harden
pulled apart the Eames lounge chair and
ottoman to create two seating opportunities.
The standing lamp in the foreground is the Ella
from Caravane. Harden’s advice for arranging a
room is to do it by instinct: “Forget about the
rules; think with your feelings.”

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3. Position a
round dining
table in an
unused corner.

Above: How to t a dining table into a small

living room? Neatly tucked into a corner, a
round Saarinen Tulip Table is a lot less imposing
than a rectangular dining table and gives the
room a dual purpose without feeling crowded. Advertisement

4. Keep sight
lines
unobstructed.
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Above: Eames Side Chairs with see-through

bases that reference the Ei el Tower keep the
corner looking airy. So do the windows; Harden
was able to forgo window treatments thanks to
pocket shutters. The white on the walls is
Farrow & Ball’s Wimborne White.

5. Use art and

mirrors to
enhance the
sense of space.

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Above: A ea market mirror in the niche adds PICKS Search
dimension, as does9the
Small-Space Ideas
vintage Roger to Steal
Prigent
from a Tiny Paris Apartment
fashion photograph hanging outside the new
kitchen.

6. Unite the Advertisement

flooring.

Above: In the streamlined kitchen, Harden

installed a new oor stained to match the
apartment’s existing wood oor and create
coherence. He also introduced subtle color and
texture: The backsplash tiles are Zelliges from
Emery & Cie and the cabinets are two-toned:
The lower cabinets are painted Farrow & Ball
Mouse’s Back, a neutral stone color (as is the
wall outside the room), and the upper are
Farrow & Ball Old White.

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13/1/2021 9 Small-Space Ideas to Steal from a Tiny Paris Apartment

7. Install wall 101

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sconces.from a Tiny Paris Apartment

Above: Sconces take up less space than oor

lamps, and some, such as the TV room’s 1960s
Art Deco design, pattern the wall with light.
They’re by Belgian architect Jules Wabbes,
reissued by J.J.M. Wever & Ducré. Another
space saver: The Bruce Sofa by Zanotta doubles
as a guest bed.

8. Use pocket
doors.

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Above: Doors require swing space; they also

add to the visual busyness of a room. For a
tidy division between the bedroom and living
room, Harden installed a pocket door. “Keeping
connections open allows perspective and gives
a sensation of larger space,” says Harden.

Another graceful detail worth noting: Advertisement

The living room’s built-in bookshelves

turn the corner and continue in the
bedroom. The shelves, which are painted
a Farrow & Ball taupe, are evenly spaced
and sized to fit the owner’s literature
collection; his art books go in the living
room niche.

9. Splurge on luxe
materials in the
tiniest space.

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Above: Square footage gained for the living

room meant the bathroom had to be tiny—but
not uncelebrated. In a small space, you can
splash out on materials because not many are
required. Harden lined the walls and shower
with natural marquina marble tiles and the sink
top with marquina marble. The sink is glazed
steel—”which allows for a very thin contour”—
and is from Alape. The overhead light is a DIY,
made “from spare parts: a glass globe and brass
tube mounted by our work crew; it’s
inexpensive bespoke.”

Above: The oor plan details the allocation of

space—and the way Harden was able to carve
out the addition of a TV room by relocating the
kitchen. The compact bathroom is situated on
one side of the replace, which is anked on the
other by a WC.

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Take a look at another Philippe INSPIRED
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small-space design, The Perfect
9 Small-Space Ideas to Steal
fromIkea
Paris Pied-à-Terre, a Tiny Paris Apartment
Kitchen
Included.

And for more small-space remodeling

wisdom, go to:

Small-Space Solutions: 17 Affordable

Tips from an NYC Creative Couple
Build It for Less: 5 Tips from a Spec
House Designer
The No-Cost Remodel: Carmella’s 7-
Step Plan to Clutter-Free Living

N.B.: This post is an update; the original

story ran on February 17, 2017.

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