How to transform an aging duplex into a bright family living space

France and Matilda are happy, sweet and energetic. And the temperament of these two friends who founded Studio Castille permeates their creations. Turning to this pair for an interior architecture project means subtle colors, light, sensuality, but also functionality. Because if Studio Castille has an optimistic and delicate “leg”, it does not neglect any detail related to circulation, maintenance, coexistence… In short, everything that makes everyday life much more pleasant and easier. Proof with this new project from Issy-le-Moulineau that Mathilde brings us.

The starting point

“This 135m² duplex apartment, located in a 1990s building in Issy-le-Moulineau, was in pretty good condition and has one advantage: its magnificent balcony. Although there was no important work, it was still a veritable maze and not designed to our clients’ tastes. So they wanted us to simplify circulation and give it personality. Therefore, our choice was to hardly touch the structure. Instead of just a bathroom, we created a laundry room, two small bathrooms, and remodeled the second level to create a level of real space dedicated to the parents. We mainly worked on improving the flow and functionality to make this apartment a pleasant place to live with the family. »

The kitchen

“The kitchen is located as an extension of the entrance and living room and is accessible from both sides. At first it was partitioned, but still had an opening, a kind of hatch, to the living room. We wanted to keep this idea and push it forward. Therefore, we created a semi-glazed roof in this area and another over the entrance to circulate light and make this kitchen a separate room without closing it off. Since the lower part of the partitions is strong, we were able to place, for example, a small counter there, which is ideal for breakfast. Of course, we’ve also completely redesigned the organization, optimizing storage and work surfaces. We decorated one of the walls, which we can see both from the entrance and from the living room, with a wallpaper to give it a decorative touch.”

Living room

“The living room featured a beautiful 3.20m ceiling height, which is rare in this type of accommodation. Therefore, we wanted to improve it by choosing white, as colors tend to “pack” a bit. There was already a bookcase in one of the corners of the living room, which we kept. We created another one in the opposite corner. Custom designed, it accommodates a TV. We brought personality to the room with these bookshelves facing each other. The old one is quite geometric, with more or less large niches, and the new one, with its higher and wider shelves, is all rounded, more sensual. The tiles on the floor have been replaced with beautiful Hungarian parquet. In the end, we did little to this room, which already had a lot of character with its beautiful windows and its dimensions. »

The blue children’s bedroom with its bathroom

“This room already existed. It is located behind the back wall of the kitchen. It is accessed via a corridor, to the left of the entrance, which leads to the children’s sleeping area and which can be closed with a door to preserve peace. What’s new in this room is a very small bathroom with a shower and sink. We fit it into the existing small depth. You enter through the sliding door. a technical choice that also saves space. The rest of our work focused on providing functionality, charm and light. We took advantage of another hole to create an upper closet and another lower closet that serves as a closet and toy storage space. The striped wallpaper above the cabinet echoes the blue of the paint. Everything is calm and practical. »

Green bathroom

“On the left side of the apartment there is another children’s bedroom and another bathroom, but independent. He was really sad and confused. We have completely redesigned it. So, if we kept the location of the bathroom, but we returned it, because it was originally poorly oriented, which made it difficult to use. We’ve also optimized storage with a compact vanity unit and the creation of a tall column. Our clients also wanted this bathroom to be green, a color that brings energy here. »

Parents tax

“From the beginning, the second level was difficult. There was no master suite, but a bedroom and separate bathroom. The office was huge. There were also quite a few technical cases that we played with. We kept the office but took a little space above it to create a 3m² bathroom with double sink and shower accessible from the bedroom. We tried to make it very comfortable with wooden furniture, textured effects like wavy tiling, brass taps that give an expensive touch. The former small bathroom has been converted into a large closet. In the 17 m² bedroom, the duct boxes have become alcoves and alcoves for open shelves and provide a very decorative aspect. A very pleasant and bright room with a large open window. The peach color that decorates one of the walls adds softness. »

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