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Can a 61-square-meter Parisian condo change into the last word entertaining house? For architect and inside designer Juliette Rubel, the reply is a powerful sure. Nestled in a traditional cut-stone Haussmannian constructing on Boulevard Richard Lenoir, her compact flat defies expectations with its daring stylistic decisions, sensible format, and hanging mixture of classic and up to date design. “I completely needed to create a stylistic train in Haussmannian model,” she says—and what an elegant train it’s.
Photographs: Yvan Moreau for AD France
From Tight Quarters to Flowing House
The unique format—a traditional three-room format—was reimagined to maximise openness and lightweight. Juliette restructured the condo right into a two-room format, prioritizing stream and sociability. The guts of this transformation? An open kitchen-living house anchored by a spectacular island bar—excellent for informal entertaining.
Bar-Model Island: Comprised of oyster-toned Brazilian quartzite, it’s not solely acid-resistant and kitchen-friendly, but additionally a daring visible centerpiece.
Mirrored Arches: A former kitchen archway impressed the design of mirrored, arched doorways, creating continuity and delicate drama.
Open Shelving: A primary-tier shelf in darkish oak and mirror finishes creates each rhythm and visible stream, increasing the sense of house.
Curves, Coloration, and Distinction: A 70s-Impressed Revival

The condo dances between eras, honoring its Haussmannian bones whereas embracing daring curves and colour from 70s design.
Coloration Story: A monochromatic beige backdrop (partitions and ceilings alike) supplies a serene basis, nevertheless it’s the lilac and purple accents that steal the present. “This lilac for the couch and the rug is my very private obsession with purple,” Juliette admits.
Classic Meets Fashionable:
Willy Rizzo espresso desk
Eero Saarinen and Kembo armchairs
Lamps by Verner Panton and Luigi Massoni
Sculptural lighting by Man Bareff—including a poetic rhythm of curves and shadows
These parts work collectively to create a tactile, immersive house the place line and quantity play off each other in dynamic distinction.
Architectural Particulars with a Twist

Regardless of the small footprint, nothing feels cramped or missed. The condo’s architectural heritage—hearth, moldings, cornices—is preserved, but reinterpreted by way of a contemporary lens.
Mirrored Arched Area of interest: Echoes the lounge’s curved home windows whereas visually increasing the doorway.
Ceiling-Peak Curtains in Beige: Reinforce verticality and create cohesion with the partitions.
Copper-Plated Brass Fittings (by THG): Add a splash of quiet luxurious and heat.
Lighting: A Sculptural Assertion

Pure mild floods the residing house due to tall home windows and considerate orientation, however lighting performs a inventive function as effectively.
Man Bareff’s Gentle Sculpture: Put in between the lounge home windows, this wall piece isn’t simply illumination—it’s an clever punctuation mark within the design narrative.
Key Takeaways: Designing Small, Residing Giant





Juliette Rubel’s condo provides a masterclass in designing for each magnificence and performance in small areas. Her strategy proves that with the precise imaginative and prescient, even a modest Haussmannian flat can really feel expansive, curated, and endlessly stylish.
Design Classes to Steal:
Don’t shrink back from daring supplies in small areas—quartzite, mirror, and darkish wooden can amplify impression.
Use arches and curves to melt inflexible layouts and add architectural magnificence.
Select a tightly curated colour palette to create continuity and elevate the temper.
Classic design items add timeless appeal and character.
Lighting can—and will—be artwork.
Conclusion:Juliette Rubel’s 61 m² condo could also be small in dimension, nevertheless it’s massive in ambition, model, and soul. It’s a testomony to what’s doable if you let creativity prepared the ground—and proof that nice entertaining doesn’t require a sprawling flooring plan, only a thoughtfully designed one.
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