Inspired by the bright and luxurious street in which this Parisian apartment is located, Atelier MKD founder Marika Drew has modernized this house while retaining its authentic French spirit. Drew was inspired by the oversized scale, including large doors, large windows and high ceilings, she says, to create a unique and timeless space.
Drew wanted to restore the apartment's small enclosed spaces to provide a more intimate space compared to the open-plan living area. With this goal in mind, she used pivot doors. Pivot doors have the advantage of flushing against the wall when opened, providing a bright living space with good circulation. “I wanted the hallway to be narrow, so I used a lot of pivot doors that completely disappear when opened and create an intimate space when closed,” she says. These pivot she doors not only act as room dividers, but are also the main organizational element of this architectural project. When the space is fully open, the apartment has a spacious, theatrical feel thanks to the glowing light that fills the house.
The style of this apartment is inspired by Art Deco and minimalism. Some of the details, especially the woodwork, pay conscious homage to the 1930s while remaining in dialogue with modern furniture. The choice of different materials, from fluted oak in the kitchen to concrete in the bathroom, adds rigidity and solidity to the interior. To bring a soft touch to the apartment, Drew chose to insert alcoves with attractive curves and play with the delicacy of the fabrics and the sober look. “I tried to bring roundness within the rigor. For this project, that was a real challenge,” she explains.
While some of Drew's choices were intended to add personality and give the interior a certain edge, the overall result is timeless, or perhaps more aptly described, from the era. It has been removed. “I strive to ensure that the interiors I create are timeless and exist beyond passing trends,” she explains. By selecting durable materials and choosing a natural color palette, Dru made this her 4,300 square foot space simultaneously adaptable and inviting. She used accessories such as cushions and curtains that can be easily replaced to create interiors that are contemporary yet distinctly unique. This allows the apartment to accommodate today's lifestyles and design preferences while clearly allowing it to move effortlessly through time.
