When they started renovating a Haussmann-style apartment located in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, architects Hélène Pinaud and Julien Schwartzmann of Heju Studio took inspiration from their clients — a pair of graphic designers with a one-year-old. "We wanted to treat the apartment in a non-classic way and we thought of this apartment as a graphic designer would: with different compositions of flat tints of colors and patterns," says Pinaud.
They began by modernizing the layout, then diving into adding color and pattern. The challenge was making sure the colors coordinated from room to room to create a cohesive look. "For instance, the pink color we used on the living room ceiling is the same that we used for the cabinets in the kitchen and in the bathroom," says Schwartzmann.
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The duo was also influenced by India Mahdavi and the Memphis Group, incorporating wallpaper and bold tile to add pattern and more color. The home's period details were mostly preserved, but the architects gave them a contemporary update: Classic moldings in the living room now frame deep purple walls and an ornate ceiling is painted a soft pink.
The completed home reflects the charming neighborhood and the clients' personal style. Says Schwartzmann, "The apartment has a classic style but is now more open and modern."
