In Paris’ bohemian heart of Montmartre, a once rigid and compartmentalised 140-square-meter apartment has been transformed into a flowing, light-filled refuge. This renovation by Atelier HA—the creative partnership of Adèle Nourry and Hugo Vince—breathes new life into a historic 1912 freestone building.

The design duo weren’t afraid to make bold structural moves, knocking down 80% of the load-bearing walls to create an airy, cohesive space that feels both contemporary and timeless. “It was a real challenge to integrate three bedrooms and two bathrooms while keeping two different spaces revolving around one large living room,” shares the design team.

What makes this project fascinating is how technical constraints were transformed into design features. “We took on and used the technical constraints of the ventilation and air-conditioning systems by designing large curved forms that surround the windows, bringing a certain softness to the apartment,” the designers explain. These graceful curves have become signature elements throughout the home, softening transitions between spaces.

The materials palette centres around walnut veneer, creating visual continuity while burgundy-red lacquered accents punctuate the warmth of the timber with a contemporary edge. This thoughtful balance extends to the furnishings—a collection of vintage pieces sourced primarily from the Saint-Ouen flea market.

The kitchen exemplifies the project’s attention to detail with its rich walnut cabinetry, Little Green Bronze Red 15 lacquer accents, and quartzite Taj Mahal worktops. But look closer and you’ll discover delightful surprises—open any cupboard and you’re greeted with vibrant yellow interiors, adding unexpected pops of colour to an otherwise restrained palette.

The dining nook resides in a spot where the owners purchased part of the building’s common areas to transform an old service stairwell into an intimate dining space flooded with afternoon light. This clever repurposing of previously unusable space exemplifies the project’s resourceful approach.

The suspended bookcase with its burgundy-red lacquered cylinders is the apartment’s sculptural centrepiece, while the dressing room/kitchen unit positioned in the heart of the home demonstrates the designers’ talent for combining functionality with aesthetics.

Through meticulous space planning and a reverence for materials, Atelier HA has crafted a home that feels simultaneously sober and warm—precisely what their clients requested—proving that when design innovation meets thoughtful curation, magic happens.

[Images courtesy of Atelier HA. Photography by Amaury Laparra.]