In Roubaix, designers Natasha Kopec and Gary Berche, founders of the KNGB studio, have taken over a 99 m² space in a former factory. They did a major remodeling job with an architect to then focus on the interior design and create their custom apartment.
They met while studying design in Milan and never left each other. After graduation, Natacha Kopec and Gary Berche decided to stay in Italy for a while, collaborating with prestigious brands like Poliform. During this period, they sharpen their eye and interest in luminaries. In 2014, they won first prize in the Dee competition with a delicately styled floor lamp decorated especially with leather straps. This piece will be exhibited at the prestigious Milan Furniture Fair.
Natacha Kopec and Gary Bersche, founders of KNGB design studio based in Roubaix, have created an industrial space that reflects their style. KNGB
Buoyed by this success, the couple founded KNGB in Roubaix. Their profession? The release of lamps in small series and is prepared Hauts de France. Artistic direction, small furniture… the activity of their studio is diversifying. And while their agency multiplies projects, Natacha and Gary find time to raise a family and buy trays in a former industrial wasteland to make it their apartment. A customized space where the couple gives free rein to their style. Visit and explanations with Gary.
The starting point
Formerly a building built by a student of Mallet-Stevens, where, depending on the era, offices, workshops… Dr
After a complete redesign, the building now has seven apartments. KNGB
“We were looking to buy a space that was 100% custom, something that allowed us to put our stamp on it. Built by a student of architect Robert Mallet-Stevens, the project around this building fully met our expectations. The place was steeped in history. It housed the offices of a company in the early 20th century, then was sold, then hosted a custom carpet factory until 1940. From there, this construction went hand in hand… until St. real estate project with several levels of unfinished floors for sale; It was perfect for us. We bought two floors with ceiling heights of 2.50m and 4m. There are a total of 7 private apartments furnished in this place. With the help of the architect Edouard de Preville, we rebuilt everything, cut the ceilings to create mezzanines treated as a mezzanine and a roof terrace. “After the construction site, we had a great time working on the interior.”
Ladder
Previously. a very high space where you have to review the levels and connect them. KNGB
Then, to connect the different levels, Natacha and Gary designed an aerial staircase. KNGB
“We designed the staircase and had it made by a craftsman in Tourcoing. We designed it trying to find the best value for money and thinking about ease of implementation. It is therefore composed of steel steps and two central wires to give the impression of lightness. It is the central part of the whole house, it connects all the levels, so it had to be beautiful, functional and safe.”
Game room on the ground floor
Formerly a great playground for two creative people. KNGB
Then, on the first floor, a playroom, which will become little Aaron’s bedroom. KNGB
“Entering the loft, we have a small hallway that leads to the bathroom, our son’s playroom and stairs leading to the kitchen and living room. The playroom is where we put all of Aaron’s stuff. Eventually it will be her bedroom, but she doesn’t sleep there at the moment (we’ve created a place for her to sleep in our bedroom). However, he spends a lot of time there because it’s where all his toys are. We didn’t want to bet on very early childhood codes, but rather a timeless atmosphere. The centerpiece of this decor is a custom shuttle mounted on the wall. We designed it and cut it from brass. On the color side, we bet on a sober shade with a beautiful midnight blue. The suspension is manufactured by our house. As for the furniture, it is simple and functional. We found the warehouse at AM.PM. The desk comes from Ikea. It is one of the best sellers because it has a lot of Montessori spirit, with removable trays that fit together.
The kitchen
Formerly a building site, the aim is to reorganize the space and enable the creation of half-levels and allow light to circulate. KNGB
Then, a kitchen full of flair and style. KNGB
Then, the dining room in continuity with the kitchen and slightly overlooked by the living room. KNGB
“You have to climb the stairs to get to the kitchen from the first floor. Since the apartment is not huge – 99 m² Carres law – we had to optimize the space. Therefore, we have chosen to arrange the L-shaped storage units along the walls in this room. They are black and matte, without handles, very sober. We bought them from Schmidt. The work table is made of imitation oak. We also introduced clarity with the credenza; its tiling, an oxidized impression on ceramic, is a cross between Diesel and Iris Ceramica. We wanted this piece to be very distinctive, so we found a yellow island from Scavolini to give it more character. There are many interesting details, such as the masonry shelf, which is actually a “trace” of the old level. We carefully selected the lighting: Zangra ceramic wall lights, Foscarini x Diesel pendant lamp (which is no longer sold). In the kitchen, we also installed a dining area with a Tolix table and six mismatched black chairs from Kartell, Tolix, Hay, Constantin Krick Magic.”
Living room
In the past, large open windows promise light. KNGB
Then, a living room with air-purifying plants, a plan “in love” with Milan, carefully selected designer furniture. KNGB
Then, the living room, where it’s good to spend time by the wood stove. KNGB
“This is the room with the highest ceiling height. It faces the kitchen, but you have to climb three steps to get inside. It is located above the game room. The ceiling is made of concrete. it was the original material that was hidden and that we found, cleaned, sanded and varnished. We played with technical constraints to add decorative details. Thus, the electricity inputs running along the walls are hidden in copper pipe systems that are painted black. On the lighting side, we chose a glass ceiling light that lets light through. It is a bunch of three Foscarini lamps with metal particles inside that reflect when they are switched on. It is very beautiful!
There are also many plants. For me, the nature of the house is essential to purify the atmosphere. It was the subject of my thesis at the School of Milan. So I know the most effective plants. There is a sign of our Milan trip in the living room, a metro map of the city hanging on the wall. Like the shuttle in the playroom, we painted it and scanned it into metal. Milan is a very important city for us, because we studied there and met there. All the lines on this plan are black, except for the one that was important to us, the M1, which served our accommodation. We have singled out the stations that are important to us. It is a unique work, a graphic, and which speaks to us first of all.
For color choices, black remains a safe bet because I think it’s timeless. But there can be no question of total appearance. So we chose a blue-grey paint from Seigneurie. Depending on the time of day and the light, we see it blue, black, grey… We also added hints of yellow with two table lamps, one by Jelde and the other by Foscarini. The furniture is diverse. There is an armchair by the Bouroullec brothers, a three-seater sofa by Ora Ito for Dunlopillo distributed by Conforama, whose numbered limited series we are very proud of, a coffee table by And Tradition, in black marble and smoked oak. . Finally, we have a wood stove from EdilKamin. Its feature is that it is covered with fire-resistant stone, which makes it possible to heat the entire volume of the room.
Master bedroom
Previously, try to create a “glass box”. KNGB
Then a comfortable room with industrial codes. KNGB
Then the master bedroom with a small corner cot. KNGB
“Our bedroom is designed as a glazed block that overlooks the living room. We kept the concrete beams on the ceiling. We put our bed in there and an industrial style dresser bought from AM.PM. In one corner of the room, which is in L, we have created a space for our son. Her bed was made of Tourcoing and the beautiful tapestry comes from Leroy Merlin.”
Bathroom
Then. a shower room adjacent to the master bedroom that plays on the textures of materials. KNGB
“This small 6 m² bathroom is adjacent to our bedroom. Here again we kept the concrete beams on the ceiling and used the same black lacquered copper pipe system to run the cables. We added white tile to the shower walls and the wall that the sinks rest on to highlight the contrast of textures: rough and smooth. The wall facing the sinks is painted gray to add softness. We installed two very beautiful Zangra wall lights. We bought the furniture from Ikea, and the basins and faucets from Leroy Merlin.”
Roof terrace
Formerly a roof behind the window with potential. KNGB
Then, a roof terrace to enjoy the blue skies of Roubaix. KNGB
“The terrace was created from scratch. The roof was insulated with a very natural material made of rice husk, oil and salt. Once the roof was insulated, we had a terrace built on stilts. In the spirit of the apartment, we have furnished with Kave Home furniture, Fermob chairs… There is also an Ikea outdoor rug. And, of course, plants!
Source: Le Figaro
