A compact 850-square-foot apartment nestled behind the hills of Montmartre has been transformed into an elegant Haussmann-style residence that maximizes light and luxurious materials. Architect Hélène Lacombe reimagined the 19th-century space for a young couple, creating what she describes as a truly sophisticated Parisian interior defined by clarity and premium finishes.

Like many properties from this era, the apartment initially suffered from suffocating compartmentalization when the owners first acquired it. Lacombe's primary challenge was opening up the volumes to find clarity and breathing room, particularly in the main living area, while creating a mature adult interior enhanced by noble materials, custom furniture, and beautiful artwork.

The heart of the renovation involved removing a load-bearing wall to create a large, flowing living room-kitchen combination. "We opened the load-bearing wall to create a large through living-dining-kitchen area," explains Lacombe, who specializes in small Parisian spaces. "The objective was to design a pleasant place without feeling like you're living in the kitchen." She achieved this by prioritizing curved lines and polished concrete to blend everything into one cohesive space while visually separating the different functions.

The kitchen seamlessly disappears while remaining optimized thanks to smart storage solutions. Upon entering the apartment, visitors discover this grand space, which the owners wanted to mark with a central signature element. Lacombe installed a large dining table made from laser wave marble, featuring elegant beige and black undulations that serve as the room's focal point.

Throughout the space, okoume wood traces elegant grain patterns, creating a sophisticated atmosphere enhanced by sheer curtains that conceal the service door leading to a collective gym – a true luxury in Paris. The kitchen features custom concrete furniture and the central laser wave table, with wood and marble serving as the foundational design elements.

The living area received a large okoume library, reflecting the occupants' interests and lifestyle. "We had to integrate handles because our client owns many vinyl records, and the drawers needed to be very solid to support at least fifty records per drawer," Lacombe notes. A video projector was also integrated, facing the shelves, with a screen that rolls down from the ceiling.

To maintain the Parisian theme, a decorative Taj Mahal fireplace was added. "It's fake because fires are prohibited in this building, but it adds character," the architect explains. The Taj Mahal quartzite, with its ashen reflections, also frames the former load-bearing wall, marking the boundary with the dining-kitchen space. The entire design sits against a cream-honey paint background with more indulgent and warm tones than the classic all-white approach.

To extend the sense of openness and luminosity into the sleeping area, Lacombe pierced through the right partition wall of the hallway and installed a large sliding glass partition. "The idea was to break the corridor effect and bring light directly into the created room," she explains. The goal was to provide a real space for remote work while also serving as a second bedroom for guests.

The room strikes a balance between relaxed and studious, featuring a built-in desk designed specifically for the project. In the couple's bedroom, the desire was for soft tones that subtly connect with the rest of the apartment: linen, wood, and milky nuances work in harmony, as seen in the integrated dressing room. The moldings, recreated for the renovation in a minimalist aesthetic, also play with the custom-designed furniture.

The bathroom adopts the same design codes as the kitchen: soft curves, polished concrete, and okoume wood, tinted darker this time to create contrast. "You almost feel like you're in a boat cabin," notes the project's author, satisfied with the room's calming atmosphere. The powder room provided an opportunity for creative expression, as Lacombe explains: "We had fun with this space. We have several astrology fans at the agency, so we drew the astrological signs of our clients, the project craftsmen, and ourselves on the ceiling."

Leo, Aquarius, and Sagittarius signs animate the ceiling of this unique powder room through black and white mosaic work – an amusing way to celebrate the work of the renovation's various contributors. "It's often in the bathrooms that clients are least afraid to take risks," the architect confirms. This charming creative touch provides a beautiful conclusion to the tour of this small Montmartre space, demonstrating how thoughtful design can transform compact urban living into something truly extraordinary.