Intimate Paris: A Contemporary Cocoon by Atelier Portalis

In the heart of the 16th arrondissement, Pauline Gretz from Atelier Portalis transforms a Parisian apartment into a jewel of refinement. A renovation where intelligent use of space and noble materials unite to create a resolutely contemporary haven of peace.

Starting from Scratch

Thirty-eight square meters.
A surface that could be intimidating, but which becomes, in Pauline Gretz’s hands, a fascinating playground.

The apartment had been completely redone during the previous sale, but did not correspond at all to the client’s expectations. A single young woman, bursting with energy, who was looking for a cocoon in her image.

“The idea was to create a space that resembles her, while keeping in mind a possible future resale.”

Starting from a shell that was clean but completely devoid of soul.
The layout, volumes, and arrangement were entirely redesigned. A delicate balance between strong personalization and timelessness.

The Kitchen at the Heart of the Project

The most daring intervention undoubtedly concerns the kitchen. A French door was transformed into a classic window, with the installation of a fixed sill in order to gain precious centimeters of layout space.

“That was the main technical point of the project.”

Underfoot, surprise: the original parquet was not hidden under the old concrete screed of the kitchen. A fallback solution had to be found.

The choice fell on a Bolon floor, woven and slightly satin, which brings a contemporary texture while dialoguing with the old parquet, sanded and revarnished, in the rest of the apartment.

Natural stone countertops unify the whole in timeless mineral elegance. A noble material that runs through kitchen and bathroom, creating a visual and tactile connecting thread.

“We wanted materials that stand the test of time, that bring that touch of discreet luxury.”

The stone harmoniously dialogues with the carefully customized woodwork, transforming each functional element into an exceptional piece.

A Bathroom as the Centerpiece

If the kitchen impresses with its functional intelligence, the bathroom seduces with its sophistication. Entirely recreated, it integrates wall-hung toilets with custom framing, a generous vanity unit, the washing machine and a profusion of clever storage.

But it’s the material that makes all the difference.

“We chose an absolutely stunning wood-effect tile.”

A wood-effect tile stands out as the centerpiece: a rendering so realistic that it deceives even the most expert eyes. Opposite it, golden mosaic faience brings a precious, almost jewelry-like touch.

Stone countertops complete this symphony of materials, bringing that mineral note that anchors the space in timeless elegance. On the ceiling, discreet spotlights preserve the purity of the whole and highlight each texture, each nuance.

The Challenge of Light and Insulation

Located on the top floor, the apartment benefits from three large bay windows that flood the space with natural light. But this summit position implied insulation challenges, both thermal and acoustic.

Interior insulation, with rock wool, was implemented. The choice: not to insulate all the walls in order to preserve the volumes and intervene only on the walls facing the exterior.

“In 38 m² with generous ceiling heights, every centimeter counts.”

The result: an apartment bathed in light, where each ray caresses the noble materials and reveals their subtleties. The velvet of the sofa becomes deeper, the golden mosaic sparkles, the stone reveals its delicate veining.

A Symphony of Noble Materials

“My client had a lot of storage to do,” Pauline smiles knowingly. Hence this obsession: exploiting every square meter. Storage blends into the architecture, worked with careful finishes that transform them into true decorative elements. Nothing protrudes, everything integrates into perfect harmony.

But the apartment is not austere. On the contrary. Noble materials punctuate the space and create an atmosphere of muted luxury. A sumptuous pink corduroy velvet sofa, found at Sklum, sits in the living room, its generous curves inviting relaxation. Opposite it, a matching pendant light creates a delicate chromatic dialogue, like a visual echo that unites the two elements.

The bedroom is dressed with a majestic white linen headboard with a soft cloud effect, evoking lightness and serenity.

“The idea was to bring life into this apartment, to work with dynamic colors and noble materials”

Touches of powder pink, gold, immaculate white blend with precious textures, sensual velvet, crumpled linen, stone with delicate veining, sparkling mosaic, to create a cozy and feminine atmosphere without ever falling into sappiness.

Carefully chosen rugs bring softness and warmth, while curtains filter the light and dress the three large bay windows.

Each textile, each accessory was designed to enrich this palette of noble materials.

Excellence in Every Detail

The faucets, deliberately sober and neutral, leave all the space to the materials. In a reduced space, limiting visual information allows for stretching lines and avoiding saturation.

“Too many details can create a cage effect. Better a few beautiful materials than too many visual signals.”

This philosophy is found in every corner: woodwork, shelves on existing radiators, volumes reworked to maximize brightness and sense of space.

This rigor is felt everywhere: in the perfect alignment of tiles, in the smoothness of transitions between materials, in the harmony of tones.

A Contemporary Cocoon

In the end, this apartment embodies a rare success: intimate and generous, personalized and timeless. The layout, kitchen on the right upon entering, living room in continuity, bedroom and bathroom on the left naturally guides the eye.

The three large bay windows overlooking residential gardens offer generous light that enhances each material. The stone captures daylight, the golden mosaic sparkles, the velvet of the sofa transforms throughout the hours.

Pauline Gretz from Atelier Portalis has shaped much more than a simple apartment: a true cocoon, thought out, worked on, sublimated. In this small Parisian jewel, every detail tells a story of precision and passion.

Proof that with intelligence, sensitivity and a judicious choice of noble materials, 38 m² can contain infinitely more than one imagines.

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Interior Architect: Pauline Gretz – Atelier Portalis