This 161 Square-Foot Attic in Paris Boasts Budget Mahogany Panels and Versatile Furniture

This 161 square foot attic unit in Montmartre is a far cry from Emily in Paris’s apartment with views of the Pantheon. But Hélène Lacombe is an expert in small spaces, and not one to back down from a challenge which, in this studio, was creating a real living room. “It was the kind of apartment where you discover four layers of linoleum one on top of another,” the architect says of space, which desperately needed a thorough renovation. The goal was to rent it to students looking for a compact home, which meant making it as functional as possible, despite the limited space. At the same time, Lacombe wanted to make sure that the apartment, perched on the top floor of a 19th-century stone building, still harnessed that sunlight throughout the day.

The entrance feels like entering a mahogany box that then extends into the kitchen, where the same wood has been used. Handles by Matilda Goad.

Mahogany delineates the space

The renovation was focused on keeping costs low without compromising on aesthetics. Lacombe decided to use laminated mahogany as the project’s signature material; in her words, it’s “a dark wood that can stand up well to the passage of time and a series of tenants.” The panelling lines the small entrance hall, concealing storage space and a door to the bathroom (unlike many old attic units in Paris, this space already had one) which the architect strived to make as practical as possible using polished concrete and white tiles. “We had so little space in the bathroom that we had to keep the sink small,” says Hélène Lacombe. “I dressed it up with a beautiful faucet, Matilda Goad handles, and a Zara Home mirror.”

The bathroom, which is to the left of the entrance, is compact but stylish. Mirror from Zara Home, handles from Matilda Goad.

In addition to mahogany, an off-white was chosen to make the space feel brighter. Sézane wall lights (Les Composantes).

Flexible and functional

The kitchen is also in mahogany, along with ceramic surfaces, another especially durable choice. Lacombe prioritized flexibility in her design; the kitchen can be transformed into a dressing room, while a bench seat and a bookcase extend off of one side. Using very little floor space, she provided the home with all the functions of a “real” apartment. “The idea was to have everything you need at your fingertips thanks to custom millwork,” she explains. “I wanted to avoid having too much furniture in a small space that can’t accommodate it.” Among the few pieces of furniture she introduced into the apartment are the Bureau Benjamin x Monoprix stool (which can be used as a seat, coffee table, or side table.) Similarly, Muller Van Severen’s sideboard on wheels can be moved around the apartment as needed, and the sofa becomes a bed when required.