A former textile factory in Paris received a complete overhaul by interior designer Isabelle Heilmann that transformed the previously unbalanced space into a beautiful apartment that paid homage to its former incumbent.
The apartment, situated on Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, was taken on by Heilmann’s studio Epicène with the clients desiring a functional, liveable space that celebrated the quirks of the space. The renovation involved removing impractical structures, including cramped bedrooms and mezzanines once used for storage, to create a cohesive, spacious, open-plan apartment with a designated home office.
The quirks were indeed kept – and added to – with multiple floor levels becoming highlights of the open space and internal windows added to maintain a visual continuity throughout. The home office took up residence on a raised platform, formerly one of the apartment’s impractical spaces in the shape of a cramped bedroom. While some mezzanines were removed, one remained suspended above the entrance for guests and as a gaming area.
The apartment features geometric sculptural elements that speak to the building’s past, with a glass-and-steel wall providing a statement moment in the living area. The entire space is whitewashed to great dramatic effect, with pops of color, dark metal, wood, and house plants contributing to the look. Clean and modern, the overhaul balanced a harmonious blend of old and new, both practical and creative.
Photography © BCDF Studio