Apartment on 2 floors completely transformed
Golden Square Mile
Completion date
2023
Project manager
Rebeca Citlali Moreno
Photos
André Doyon and Maxime Brouillet (détails)
Design award
Clients: A cosmopolitan couple whose children have left home, enjoying both lively gatherings and quiet moments together.
Sometimes a refuge for two, sometimes a stage for grand receptions, this two-story apartment perfectly embodies the balance between refinement and conviviality, adapting to the desires of its occupants.
The transformation of this space was guided by the owners' diverse inspirations, enriched by their travels around the world. Desjardins Bherer, in collaboration with the architects, achieved a remarkable feat: creating a setting that combines the intimacy of life for two with the festive energy of grand receptions.
Every choice here reflects the perfect harmony between modernity, warmth, and timelessness, where large and varied artworks find their place, enhancing this already exceptional setting.
Striking Entrance
From the entrance, a majestic staircase rises like a sculpture, a true technical and artistic feat, combining the warmth of wood with the airy transparency of tempered glass. The clean lines and contrasts between deep black and light wood reveal masterful craftsmanship, with the perfect curve being an ode to exceptional artistry. Every detail has been meticulously thought out to combine ergonomics, lightness, and majesty.
Connecting the two levels of the apartment, this staircase almost floats, suspended in space and creating a fluid transition between the reception areas and the more intimate spaces of the couple.
Total Openness
The owners aspired to a space where openness reigns supreme, like the panoramic view that unfolds across two full sides of the apartment. To meet this desire, traditional walls were replaced with vast open spaces, utilizing the entire width and height across two floors.
The challenge was to conceal the reception areas in a way that creates a more intimate atmosphere for daily life. The design team met this challenge by envisioning oversized sliding doors that rise to the full height of the apartment. During receptions, these doors open to reveal a large welcoming space, then elegantly close, instantly transforming the area into a cozy cocoon perfectly suited to the couple's needs.
Extreme Versatility
Light is omnipresent, amplified by reflective materials and adjustable lighting, while the artworks, furniture, and architectural details gradually reveal themselves, offering new discoveries with each visit.
Throughout these spaces, the passion for art is evident, as shown by the presence of large-scale paintings of varied styles and inspirations, without compromising the harmony of the place.
Versatility was taken to its peak with a ceiling-integrated rail system. Thanks to magnetic mounts, the lighting can be adjusted to highlight the artworks, which the owners like to move around to accommodate new pieces.
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19Continuity
At the beautifully windowed corner of the apartment, the city is revealed in all its splendor. The reception spaces offer a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, creating a setting that is both warm and sophisticated.
The carefully selected furniture reflects this duality: an armchair with more antique accents, highlighted with modern upholstery, fits perfectly with purely contemporary furniture pieces like the Minotti sofa. The rounded lines and elegantly arranged tables foster a convivial atmosphere, where guests' comfort is always assured. Subtle tones of beige and light gray, enriched with touches of blue and golden yellow, create an exquisite balance between timeless elegance and contemporary dynamism.
The terrace, notably adorned with Paola Lenti pieces, features shades of blue and mauve that blend gracefully into the surrounding urban landscape, extending the refinement of the interior spaces.
The impeccable horizontal lines of the fireplace clad in light marble, the storage spaces, the wine cellar, and the sofa highlight the purity and sophistication of the space. This area, while harmonizing with the first living room, prioritizes a cozy comfort. The furniture, with sharp angular lines and luxurious materials like leather and velvet, ensures an elegant continuity with the rest of the apartment. Side tables provide the desired functionality to accommodate drinks and appetizers during gatherings.
The discerning use of glass and swivel chairs enhances the fluid connection between the two living rooms, emphasizing the coherence of the design and the quality of the materials.
Art of the Table
With its dual purpose—as a place to gather guests or a convivial space for family meals—the dining room serves as a link between the reception area and the everyday living spaces. The thin, almost airy, pendant light descends from the ceiling of the second floor to crown the imposing marble table, ensuring the connection between the two levels of the apartment.
The centerpiece of this area, the table, designed by Klaus, represents the subtle balance between the art of entertaining and intimate dining. With a flick of a finger, the table can be extended to seat a dozen guests thanks to an ingenious mechanism that facilitates its expansion.
Relaxation Area
After the receptions, the couple finds refuge in a living room designed for intimacy and everyday life. This haven of peace, intended for life as a couple, perfectly illustrates comfort and refinement. The plush furniture invites relaxation, offering a warm cocoon to unwind after a busy day. The elegantly simple console discreetly delineates this private area from the open spaces of the apartment.
The opening onto a smaller, more intimate terrace and the direct access to the kitchen enhance the functional and cozy aspect of this space. Every element is carefully thought out, creating a cozy retreat where sophistication meets simplicity.
Generous Kitchen
The heart of the apartment, the kitchen stands out with its majestic island, where moments of sharing and conviviality come to life. The natural marble island, with its impressive surface, blends elegantly with the warm wood, creating an atmosphere that is both modern and welcoming.
The regular vertical lines of the design ensure visual harmony, while the balance between integrated appliances hidden behind discreet panels by Poliform and those carefully exposed creates a refined aesthetic. The wood, gray, and taupe tones, along with the cognac-colored leather stools, contribute to the serene and welcoming ambiance of the room.
High-Level Elegance
On the upper floor, the herringbone parquet from the ground floor gives way to a linear pattern, arranged perpendicularly to the staircase, creating the illusion of depth. Oversized doors, stripped of superfluous details, elegantly conceal the bedrooms, office, and gym, which can, when needed, communicate via sliding partitions.
The Master Suite: Between Intimacy and Display
The master suite is a sanctuary of serenity. Comfortable furniture makes the space conducive to contemplating the urban landscape. At the end of the discreet hallway, the walk-in closet reveals an impeccably organized space, where every item, from clothing to accessories, is carefully showcased in a soft and luminous atmosphere.
The bathroom is a luxury haven, dominated by Fior di Pesco marble, creating a refined ambiance. Integrated vanities are crowned with mirrors accented with chrome, reflecting the exterior décor.
Tinted glass adds a subtle touch of elegance, delicately contrasting with the clarity of the marble, creating a balance between robustness and finesse. Above the curved bathtub, a light suspension composed of luminous discs accentuates the sophistication of the space.
Collaborators : ARCHITEM