This Paris Apartment Uses White as a Balancing Force

Living room with white curved corner sofa, round wood and white coffee table, red patterned rug and white accessories — (Image credit: Stephan Julliard)

The Paris-based interior design duo Stéphan Bidoux and Julien Villeneuve are not into beige, minimal interiors. They love color far too much for that. "We’re not afraid to play with it," says Julien, "but never to the detriment of the other elements of an interior. We like to use it in small touches."

Thus, for this modern home, a duplex apartment on the French capital’s Right Bank, they chose an icy green marble for the backsplash and countertop in the kitchen; played with an array of ochre and pink tones in the primary bedroom; and placed a vibrant yellow painting in the dining area.

They also reupholstered a vintage Italian armchair with a multi-hued striped fabric from Missoni Home. "Its vibrant pattern combines elegance and casualness," says Stéphan.

White dining room with curved staircase, wooden oval table and angular chairs, gold and white globe chandelier and white accent table — "We wanted to give this area strong character because it’s the first space you see from the entry hall," explains Julien. "The grain of the rosewood tabletop has a very graphic quality."

Maison Flâneur

Piltra Chair

A chunky, angular dining chair steals the show in this dining room — we love this alternative from Maison Flâneur.

Before Bidoux & Villeneuve got cracking with the decorating, however, there was a significant amount of structural work to be carried out in order to adapt the space to the lifestyle of their clients, Anne and Sébastien — a couple who particularly like to entertain. "You could feel the flat had once been part of a larger apartment that had been divided up and rearranged in a somewhat odd way," says Julien.

Kitchen with oak cabinetry, green backsplash and counter, and white round breakfast table with black and rattan chairs — "We don’t like wall cabinets in kitchens," says Stéphan. "We find they make a space feel very closed in."

They ended up completely gutting the space, reinstating traditional architectural details, adding an extra bedroom and bathroom and creating a large, open living area. They also managed to transform a pair of former maid’s rooms on the floor above into a multipurpose space, which is now linked to the main level via a sinuously elegant staircase. "It’s really handy and is used by the whole family," says Anne. "You can work, watch the TV or do exercise up there."

Children's room with white walls, cane wardrobe door, mint green curtain and bed upholstery, and sheep toy — "The two children’s rooms are similar in spirit," says Julien. "The pattern on one of the headboards is plant-inspired, while this one is more reminiscent of an animal print."

The family formerly lived in a similarly classical Parisian flat, but with a very different vibe. "It was a lot more contemporary, very black and white," recalls Anne. "We were definitely looking for something warmer and brighter."

Bathroom with green and white tiles, oak vanity with green terrazzo worktop, and rattan mirror — "We wanted to create a very fresh, graphic look in here," says Stéphan. "The color palette is a continuation of the kids’ bedrooms."

In each of their projects, Stéphan and Julien like to introduce a fresh, playful spirit. They did so here with the striking custom rug from Marguerite Le Maire in the sitting area, which features panthers pacing through luxuriant, multi-hued vegetation.

To counterbalance its expressive motif, they introduced lots of white around it, not only on the walls, but also through the furniture placed upon it. "If you put color and rich patterns everywhere, it becomes overkill," explains Stéphan.

Habitat

Rattan Wall Mirror - 80x60cm

This Habitat woven rattan wall mirror will add warmth and tactility to any space.

White bedroom with seating and shelving niches with dark wood panelling, beige upholstered headboard and floating wood side tables — "We like to introduce softer tones to contrast with the more rigorous, rectilinear nature of our architectural elements," says Julien.

Pooky Lighting

Regular Wobble Bottle Table Lamp in Brown Hammered Glass

A warm-toned, colored-glass table lamp adds texture to a bedroom — we love this from lighting brand Pooky.

The sleek, chic, low-backed sofa in particular adds a laid-back feel. Julien compares the experience it provides to sitting around a campfire. "It encourages people to gather together," he says. "You can also perch on the back and chat to people in the adjacent dining area."

That sense of conviviality lies at the heart of what the design duo does. "We’re never dramatic just for the sake of being dramatic," says Julien. "It’s never just for show. Our goal is to create spaces where people feel good and want to stay."

Bathroom with wood and beige stone vanity, rust marble surround to shower, and orange patterned Roman blind — "We always try to create a coherence between spaces that are linked," explains Stéphan. "We couldn’t imagine an en suite with a completely different design aesthetic from its bedroom."

Anne and Sébastien certainly have no intention of going anywhere fast. "We love absolutely everything about the apartment," enthuses Anne. "The only reason we’d consider moving would be for somewhere bigger."

For more inspiring home tours and design ideas, sign up for the Livingetc newsletter, and they'll be delivered straight to your inbox.