Cover A ceramicwork by Yann Masseyeff, made from small white pieces of clay, hangs between two cabinets in the dining room, casting shadows of its small sculptures when the light hits them at a low angle (All photos: Courtesy of Studio Nooor)

Who needs a staycation when you can live in an elegant home like this? See how this Parisian apartment by Studio Nooor marries a timeless aesthetic and traditional elements with elements inspired by luxurious hotel suites

A hallmark of French homes is the way they meld contemporary interior schemes with heritage elements, resulting in intoxicating spaces that exemplify refinement and display a respect for the old and the new. This three-room pied-à-terre, located in Paris’ stately 9th arrondissement, is a prime example of such style. The work of Parisian interior design firm Studio Nooor, its interior is an effortless combination of modern comfort with timeless Parisian elegance. 

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Above The Peonia armchair from Le Berre Vevaud adds a playful touch to the elegant living area of this apartment designed by Studio Nooor

The owners, a couple in their 50s, were returning to France after having worked abroad in Brazil. They were also empty nesters: their children had left home, so they wanted to renovate their apartment and turn the children’s room into a space they could use. “The design brief was to transform a family apartment into an apartment for two that would include a beautiful master suite, a very large bathroom, a dressing room and an office,” says Séverine Rebout, associate interior designer at Studio Nooor. 

The design firm gave the 1,292 sq ft apartment a complete makeover, redoing everything from the carpentry to the electrical work, and restructuring its physical spaces. “This gave us a strong base to build upon aesthetically and allowed us to completely reimagine the interior, choosing everything from the furniture to the decorative details,” adds Rebout. The reimagined abode comprises open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas, a private area with a TV, an office, a large bedroom, a gym section, a dressing room and a palatial bathroom.  

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Photo 1 of 3 Laurent Klein, Séverine Rebout and Philippe Tasso are the co-founders of Studio Nooor, a Paris-based design firm established in 2009
Photo 2 of 3 Minimalist armchairs and a circular Knoll Saarinen dining table in black hold sway in the dining area
Photo 3 of 3 A red lacquered stool adds a pop of colour to this soothing corner in the apartment

The breezy living room, dining area and kitchen, featuring a palette of neutral grey hues, enjoy an abundance of natural light that streams in through ceiling-high windows. In the living room, a De Padova sofa clad in a plush plum velvet upholstery evokes a luxurious yet relaxed feel, while a Peonia armchair from Le Berre Vevaud draws the eye with its unconventional form. 

Traditional elements such as the century-old tiles in the hallway, which were salvaged from the building’s original entrance hall, the intricate crown mouldings. herringbone parquet flooring and an antique fireplace were restored to their former classical glory. These occupy the same spaces as contemporary furniture from Studio Nooor’s own range and French designers such as Reda Amalou and Le Berre Vevaud.  

Read More: Mood Board: How Design History Shapes the Work of French Studio Le Berre Vevaud

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Above In the kitchen, the black countertops and cabinets get a visual lift from the geometric stained-glass window
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Above Minimalist armchairs and a circular Knoll Saarinen dining table in black hold sway in the adjoining dining area

“A really nice touch of history to the apartment is that we managed to salvage over 100-year tiles that were originally laid in the entrance hall of the building,” says Rebout. “When work was being carried out on the building, the clients managed to save the tiles and kept them so that we could install them in their own hallway. So, it’s great to think that the tiles, and their history, are still part of the building – they never left the building, they have just moved up to this fourth floor apartment!” 

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Above The master bedroom features a serene mix of wooden furnishings and an earthy palette
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Above A view of the master bathroom from the master suite

The calming master bedroom sports warm wooden accents and a neutral, soft colour palette; behind the bed, a wall panel clad in a grand fabric from French wallcoverings brand Elitis adds dark-hued elegance to the tableau.

The capacious ensuite master bathroom features a shower area, a stone resin bathtub from Lusso and a bespoke Corian vanity in white; the latter two contrast with the black marble walls and black tiled flooring. This sophisticated space also sports a stained-glass window akin to the one in the kitchen and a Privalight smart-glass panel next to the bath that switches from a translucent pane to an opaque glass wall at the flick of a switch. 

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Above The spacious master bathroom features a sleek monochromatic palette

The year-long project, which faced a delay due to the pandemic, was completed at the end of 2020. Rebout proudly says that the clients are “delighted” with their refreshed home, which is a refined yet charming abode that boasts authenticity and cosiness in equal measure. 

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