When designers create their own homes, creativity, high-quality and complete understanding of the needs meet in stunning interiors. When Michael Herrman, head of French studio Ateliers Michael Herrman renovated this apartment in the eighth arrondissement of Paris for him and his family, he built their dreams into it alongside historic fragments. The duplex apartment in a late 18th century building spreads over 1,500 square feet, illuminating the owner’s daily lives.
Two maids’ rooms on two different levels were combined into what is now a stunning apartment in Paris’s Place de la Madeleine. This was done by placing a clear glass floor between the two floors, guiding natural light down to the dining area and visually opening and connecting spaces. Three bedrooms are just enough for the family, while the exceptional entertaining spaces preserve historic elegance: “The apartment is based upon the concept of a museum: the original limestone walls and oak beams have been excavated and displayed with archaeological precision.”
A corner of the apartment shelters the courtyard terrace visible from both levels via five-meter tall glass walls. Here, in this tranquil space, an antique marble fireplace, mirror, and chandelier create a joyful atmosphere set on a seven-meter tall vertical garden background. There is no doubt that this Parisian residential space displays the chic memories of a traditional salon of a mid-19th century Parisian apartment while showcasing contemporary design elements, furnishings and furniture.
