Interior architect Dario Mucedda from Cabinet 2D has achieved a remarkable feat by transforming a bland 1980s Parisian apartment in the 12th arrondissement into a sophisticated living space filled with character. The 65-square-meter three-room apartment underwent a complete metamorphosis through strategic use of materials, contrasts, and lighting design.
The original apartment presented significant challenges with its enormous hallway distributing three small, dark, and narrow rooms, along with a tiny kitchen and living room. A continuous balcony facing the street was completely obscured by the building's uninspiring architecture. Mucedda was tasked with transforming this generic space in a 1980s building into a bright, functional, and stylish home for a young couple.
The living room transformation was the most dramatic change in the renovation. "My first choice was to remove the partitions between the three narrow rooms in sequence (living room, dining room, kitchen) to create a vast living space that allows fluid access to the kitchen," Mucedda explained. This demolition gained significant volume and brightness throughout the space. The team also replaced the poorly insulated original windows with new aluminum frames that maintained the 1980s aesthetic while providing modern performance standards.
The living area now features complete openness with natural light flooding through the glass doors. The walls showcase a sophisticated wood cladding that adds warmth and personality, combining oak stained in walnut color with black lacquered wood panels. The original industrial parquet flooring with small square slats had aged poorly and was replaced, along with the disparate tiling in certain rooms, with polished concrete flooring that unified the entire space.
Color played a crucial role in establishing the apartment's unique atmosphere. In the living room section, backlighting illuminates the ceiling in the evening, creating a truly warm ambiance. The space was carefully furnished for comfort, with the standout piece being a Groovy armchair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, a 1980s model that the clients found vintage shopping, positioned under built-in bookshelves and storage units.
The dining room transformation eliminated the original bland space in favor of an inviting and distinctive area. "Removing partitions allowed us to create cohabitation in the same vast space for living room, kitchen, and dining room," Mucedda noted. The dining area accommodates the clients' large table, surrounded by Marcel Breuer S32 chairs in chrome tubular steel from Thonet, which complements the stainless steel elements in the nearby kitchen.
A bronze-tinted mirror extends from floor to ceiling, serving as a contemporary form of room divider that enables more fluid circulation between spaces. The mirror features an integrated light groove that provides backlighting in the evening, adding to the sophisticated ambiance of the dining area.
The kitchen renovation maintained the same location but was completely reimagined for maximum efficiency. Without changing its footprint, the design team managed to double the integrated storage capacity. Behind the mirror separating it from the dining area, an island conceals all the appliances while maintaining clean lines. The chosen work surface is brushed stainless steel with a semi-industrial 1970s and 1980s aesthetic that perfectly matches the apartment's overall design philosophy.
Ceramic tiles used for the backsplash were installed in a way that brings verticality and accentuates the impression of height throughout the kitchen space. This strategic placement of materials creates visual continuity while enhancing the room's proportions.
The bedroom renovation transformed the existing space by removing outdated storage to create a custom dressing room in a green tone that extends seamlessly to form the headboard. "This allows us to visually create a large alcove," Mucedda explained. The design philosophy focused on minimalism to maintain a cozy atmosphere, with clean lines that immediately highlight artwork on the wall and a sculptural bedside lamp by designer James Haywood from the Satori Bark series.
The bathroom renovation maintained the original proportions while completely reimagining the space around a large shower cabin and a custom-designed sink with its cabinet. The walnut tone creates continuity with the rest of the apartment, while marble wall cladding takes center stage. The gray veined marble with small golden inclusions draws inspiration from Tom Ford's sophisticated and luxurious aesthetic universe, elevating the bathroom into a spa-like retreat.
This transformation demonstrates how thoughtful design can breathe new life into mundane spaces, turning a characterless 1980s apartment into a contemporary home that honors its architectural period while meeting modern living standards. The successful integration of materials, lighting, and spatial planning created a cohesive environment that maximizes both functionality and style.
