Interior designer Léo Schlumberger has transformed a compact 750-square-foot apartment in Paris's 15th arrondissement, creating a space where different eras blend harmoniously through carefully chosen soft colors and thoughtful design. The project showcases the designer's signature approach of combining practical functionality with aesthetic beauty in a romantic yet precise décor.
Schlumberger, who trained at the Design Academy in Eindhoven, Netherlands, and launched his interior design studio in 2017, worked within a traditional Haussmannian building to create this unique living space. Located on the fifth floor, the cross-through apartment is bathed in beautiful soft light that creates an intimate and peaceful atmosphere throughout the 750-square-foot space. The apartment serves as a pied-à-terre for a couple who splits their time between the capital and Burgundy.
Rather than restructuring the apartment's layout, the interior designer assigned specific functions to each room and composed a décor where different time periods meet in perfect harmony. This eclectic mix of styles is particularly evident in the dining room, which features stained glass windows and exposed beams. The living space connects to the kitchen, which takes on a more radical, almost clinical aesthetic that contrasts beautifully with the dining area's traditional elements.
Throughout every space, Schlumberger made it a priority to let materials express themselves naturally. In the kitchen, he specifically chose polished concrete and lacquered wood to create texture and visual interest. The unifying thread of his sensitive décor lies in his strategic use of color, which appears here and there through carefully selected details and reaches its full expression in the bathroom, where he implemented a truly singular color palette that serves as a bold design statement.
Schlumberger's expertise in color theory runs deep, as evidenced by his teaching career at École Camondo in Paris since 2020. He initially taught courses specifically focused on color theory before expanding to teach interior design, proving that his chromatic signature occupies a fundamental place in his design practice. This background in color education clearly influences his professional work and contributes to his distinctive design approach.
The project features custom-made furniture and storage solutions that successfully combine practical and aesthetic dimensions. This duality allows Schlumberger to create a very appealing continuity throughout the space, ensuring that every element serves both functional and visual purposes. The custom pieces are seamlessly integrated into the overall design scheme, enhancing both the apartment's usability and its visual appeal.
Looking ahead, Schlumberger has two new interior projects on the horizon and is eager to diversify his career by pursuing projects in the restaurant and hospitality sectors. This expansion represents his desire to apply his distinctive design philosophy to commercial spaces, potentially bringing his signature blend of harmonious color palettes and cross-temporal design elements to a broader range of clients and projects.
