A 170sqm duplex in Paris completely renovated by Ussel & Decoster
d'Ussel & Decoster transforms a 170sqm duplex in Paris with two kitchens, custom furniture, and warm decor
Paris’s 15th arrondissement is central and convenient, but some might criticize it for being a bit too modern. People tend to prefer the Marais or Saint-Germain, even though this is a lively, bustling neighborhood, and, it must be said, a very pleasant one. It is here, just a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower, that the interior design firm d’Ussel & Decoster has just renovated a 170sqm duplex with an original concept. Seven months of work, a complete restructuring of the spaces, and a rather unusual client request. Indeed, the owners asked to install two kitchens in this apartment.
Architects Lucie Decoster and Ségolène d’Ussel explain that the apartment hadn’t been renovated in over thirty years. Everything needed to be reworked, from the circulation paths to the layout of the rooms. The firm knocked down a load-bearing wall, opened up the entryway to the living areas, and completely reconfigured the floor plan.
The design direction is very clear, featuring natural oak throughout, sand and cream tones, a few ochre and terracotta accents, and green to energize the space. Now, light flows effortlessly from one room to the next.
The living room showcases the project’s boldest design choices. A custom-built bookshelf, designed by the firm, runs the full width of the wall and incorporates a bench in its center. The light oak wood contrasts softly with the gray-beige background of the shelves, and the powder-pink fabric bench with rust-colored cushions adds just the right touch of color without being over the top.
BOLIA sofas in greige fabric and the abstract caramel-brown patterned rug complete this contemporary living room. Above the coffee table hangs a round, ivory-colored fabric pendant light. The custom-made glass partition opening onto the entryway, with its oak frame, allows natural light to illuminate the hall.
The real highlight of the project is the decision to have two kitchens. The entertaining kitchen opens onto the dining room and is organized around a central island. Its Calacatta Taj quartz countertops are understated and elegant. The brushed brass light fixtures above the table bring a warm golden glow that contrasts beautifully with the white walls and the light marble backsplash. Beige bouclé chairs pair with a large solid wood table.
The everyday kitchen, however, operates on a different principle. Accessible through a double sliding pocket door framed in oak with an arched opening, it features English green base cabinets with brass handles. Hexagonal terracotta tiles cover the floor, and a cream-glazed beveled tile backsplash completes the design. The choice of the arched sliding door between the two spaces is a striking feature. It creates a smooth transition between two complementary atmospheres.
The entryway features a custom-built oak storage unit with a built-in bench and a large mirror with rounded edges. It is both functional and elegant. Light-colored herringbone parquet runs throughout the ground floor, creating visual continuity between the spaces.
Upstairs, the two children’s rooms feature very different panoramic wallpapers. The baby’s room features a pattern of palm trees and monkeys in sage green blocks on a white background, creating a soft and poetic atmosphere.
The older child’s room, on the other hand, takes a much more narrative approach with a forest populated by animals, rabbits, hedgehogs, and foxes, in a delicate watercolor style. Furniture is intentionally simple, crafted from light natural wood.
The master suite features several custom-made elements. Its bouclé fabric headboard is integrated into an oak structure that rises to the ceiling with a curved glass canopy, creating a decorative focal point above the bed.
The brass wall sconces on either side echo the dining room’s light fixtures. The adjoining walk-in closet, entirely white with copper handles, incorporates a rounded niche stained dark olive green with a small bench. This splash of color in the all-white space is unexpected and truly elegant.
The master bathroom embraces total simplicity. It features a light stone vanity countertop with a built-in double sink, two oval mirrors, and a custom-made oak cabinet. And the shower is truly an exceptional feature. It is a sort of cabin entirely clad in light sand-colored zellige tiles, with a masonry arch.
The d'Ussel & Decoster firm has delivered a truly accomplished project here. Light oak serves as the primary material, complemented by arches and skylights, and a cohesive color palette. Terracotta and green accents add just the right touch of interesting tones. The result is a truly harmonious success, creating a family apartment that is now undoubtedly easy to live in. Photo: ©Julien Pépy
An apartment that hadn’t been touched in thirty years
Architects Lucie Decoster and Ségolène d’Ussel explain that the apartment hadn’t been renovated in over thirty years. Everything needed to be reworked, from the circulation paths to the layout of the rooms. The firm knocked down a load-bearing wall, opened up the entryway to the living areas, and completely reconfigured the floor plan.
The design direction is very clear, featuring natural oak throughout, sand and cream tones, a few ochre and terracotta accents, and green to energize the space. Now, light flows effortlessly from one room to the next.
The living room-library
The living room showcases the project’s boldest design choices. A custom-built bookshelf, designed by the firm, runs the full width of the wall and incorporates a bench in its center. The light oak wood contrasts softly with the gray-beige background of the shelves, and the powder-pink fabric bench with rust-colored cushions adds just the right touch of color without being over the top.
BOLIA sofas in greige fabric and the abstract caramel-brown patterned rug complete this contemporary living room. Above the coffee table hangs a round, ivory-colored fabric pendant light. The custom-made glass partition opening onto the entryway, with its oak frame, allows natural light to illuminate the hall.
Two kitchens for family life and entertaining
The real highlight of the project is the decision to have two kitchens. The entertaining kitchen opens onto the dining room and is organized around a central island. Its Calacatta Taj quartz countertops are understated and elegant. The brushed brass light fixtures above the table bring a warm golden glow that contrasts beautifully with the white walls and the light marble backsplash. Beige bouclé chairs pair with a large solid wood table.
The everyday kitchen, however, operates on a different principle. Accessible through a double sliding pocket door framed in oak with an arched opening, it features English green base cabinets with brass handles. Hexagonal terracotta tiles cover the floor, and a cream-glazed beveled tile backsplash completes the design. The choice of the arched sliding door between the two spaces is a striking feature. It creates a smooth transition between two complementary atmospheres.
The entryway and hallways, with oak as the unifying theme
The entryway features a custom-built oak storage unit with a built-in bench and a large mirror with rounded edges. It is both functional and elegant. Light-colored herringbone parquet runs throughout the ground floor, creating visual continuity between the spaces.
Two panoramic wallpapers for the children’s rooms
Upstairs, the two children’s rooms feature very different panoramic wallpapers. The baby’s room features a pattern of palm trees and monkeys in sage green blocks on a white background, creating a soft and poetic atmosphere.
The older child’s room, on the other hand, takes a much more narrative approach with a forest populated by animals, rabbits, hedgehogs, and foxes, in a delicate watercolor style. Furniture is intentionally simple, crafted from light natural wood.
The master bedroom, walk-in closet, and bathroom
The master suite features several custom-made elements. Its bouclé fabric headboard is integrated into an oak structure that rises to the ceiling with a curved glass canopy, creating a decorative focal point above the bed.
The brass wall sconces on either side echo the dining room’s light fixtures. The adjoining walk-in closet, entirely white with copper handles, incorporates a rounded niche stained dark olive green with a small bench. This splash of color in the all-white space is unexpected and truly elegant.
The master bathroom embraces total simplicity. It features a light stone vanity countertop with a built-in double sink, two oval mirrors, and a custom-made oak cabinet. And the shower is truly an exceptional feature. It is a sort of cabin entirely clad in light sand-colored zellige tiles, with a masonry arch.
D'Ussel & Decoster and contemporary Parisian style
The d'Ussel & Decoster firm has delivered a truly accomplished project here. Light oak serves as the primary material, complemented by arches and skylights, and a cohesive color palette. Terracotta and green accents add just the right touch of interesting tones. The result is a truly harmonious success, creating a family apartment that is now undoubtedly easy to live in. Photo: ©Julien Pépy
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