A Bespoke, Haussmannian-inspired Flat for a Paris Couple
“This project is all about the carpentry,” Paris-based architect, carpenter, and teacher Nikhil Calas explained of the 49-square-meter (527-square-foot) flat he designed with his partner Federico Diodato. The founders of architecture studio faire had a clear vision with the means to make it a reality through carpentry: “Our aim was to give life to our project by creating three large pieces of furniture that would not only bring a sense of space but also a feeling of connection.” The result, dubbed Villa de Ségur, is a testament to the power of their thoughtful design and bespoke carpentry.
The flat is located in a recently constructed building in Paris’s 7th arrondissement, just minutes from the Eiffel Tower. It is home to a couple in their early 40s, who were fortunate to purchase the unit during the building’s construction, allowing them to influence the layout toward their lifestyle. The couple’s requests were relatively straightforward and most definitely Parisian: “They love to have friends over, so their brief was to have a generous kitchen, a large dining table, and a comfortable living room”, Calas noted. To achieve this, the architects drew inspiration from multiple sources, including the traditional floor plans of Haussmannian apartments (which are known for their interconnected rooms along the facades) as well as the work of Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, particularly his minimalist office in Helsinki. A neat blending of form and function.
Three Pieces of Custom Furniture
True to Calas and Diodato’s vision, the flat’s design revolves around three large, custom-built furniture pieces that seamlessly integrate into the space. The first of these pieces is the floor-to-ceiling unit framing the U-shaped kitchen, which can be hidden within a behind a bespoke bifold door. Though discreet from one angle, it maintains a steady connection to the dining area through a “passe plats” – or a plate pass in English – where you can pass dishes through an opening below some fluted glass.
The second key piece is found in the living room, where a custom-built bookcase doubles as a media unit. This clever piece of furniture provides ample storage for books, electronics, and other household items while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. Finally, in the bedroom, a large, bespoke unit wraps around the queen-sized bed. This piece combines several functions – storage, a desk, and bedside tables – maximizing the room’s limited space without sacrificing comfort or style. But while these three pieces act as aesthetic and functional pillars of the design as a whole, it is all the other well-thought out elements around them that truly make it a home.
A Sense of Home
After moving through the compact but functional entrance, which features hooks for coats and a small stool for putting on shoes, the living room greets you with three French windows that flood the space with natural light. This is the main space, where the owners would relax, host, watch television, so it was important for it to be open and versatile; a feature that is perhaps best summed up by the double-sided sofa by French brand Cinna sitting in the centre. “You can face the bookshelf and watch TV, sit with your back towards the partition and read a book, or turn around and face the balcony when entertaining friends”, he noted of their selection. The same intentionality that Calas and Diodato brought to the selection of this sofa is felt across the home, from nesting tables and movable ceiling lamps to the bespoke built-in cubby storage hidden behind sliding doors (their solution to an awkward corner).
Calas sums up the design approach succinctly: "The opportunities of these city dwellings lie in their constraints. That’s what we love about them: to tailor each and every one; to be bold about ideas of what is a home and what is a room; and also to give a sense of warmth and well-being." In this Parisian flat, the constraints of space have been transformed into opportunities for creativity, resulting in a home that is as functional as it is beautiful – an inspiring example of how thoughtful design can make small spaces feel expansive and deeply personal.
