In the heights of Nouvelle Athènes, a charming Parisian district dotted with peaceful squares, picturesque covered passages, and tree-lined streets, design studio RMGB has created a duplex apartment with striking graphic aesthetics, punctuated by distinctive artworks. This 1,184-square-foot interior offers breathtaking views of the Sacré-Cœur domes in Montmartre, with the terrace appearing to float above an ocean of rooftops like metallic waves with ever-changing reflections.
The duplex, located in the Saint-Georges neighborhood of the 9th arrondissement, showcases the area's authentic charm that has been preserved since its construction during the Romantic period of the 19th century. Baptiste Rischmann and Guillaume Gibert, founders of Parisian studio RMGB, designed the space with their signature approach of freely mixing vintage furniture with contemporary creations. The living room features a custom endless sofa designed by RMGB, paired with vintage 1960s armchairs by Bernard Govin, while a glass wall sconce and coffee table also bear the studio's design signature.
The apartment was created for a young family where he works in tech and she is a lawyer. "They are both very invested in their work and wanted a turnkey project: a fluid space that's easy to live in but punctuated with surprises," explained the designers. "We integrated artworks with strong presence throughout, such as enigmatic canvases by Bram Kinsbergen or vibrant ceramics by Roger Herman. Not necessarily market stars, but artists who speak to us. From interior architecture to selecting the smallest object, we were involved in every aspect of this interior."
RMGB advocates for a timeless and eclectic style throughout the space. The dining area features a solid oak table surrounded by vintage P60 chairs by Antoine Philippon and Jacqueline Lecou. The custom coffee table showcases a sculptural top made of enameled lava stone, while ceramic pieces by Alice Trescarte adorn various surfaces. Wall art includes works by Hertha Hillfon from Galerie Stimmung, and the bar area displays a vase by Claude Bignens alongside ceramics by Roger Herman from Carpenters Workshop Gallery.
Founded in 2011, RMGB develops sculptural projects that are rigorously structured and marked by graphic interventions. Guillaume Gibert, a former LISAA student trained in cabinetmaking, partnered with Baptiste Rischmann, a graduate of ENSAD, to create an agency that emphasizes volumes, light, and meticulously selected materials. The duo works closely with artisans to create custom elements including storage solutions, bookshelves, and sofas. The agency, which now employs five collaborators, delivers eight to ten projects annually, including both private interiors and commercial spaces such as boutiques for fashion brand Balzac Paris.
The studio's name origin reflects their creative approach. "When we launched our agency, we needed to find a name. Combining our two surnames, Rischmann and Gibert, didn't seem like the right solution – it sounded like a law firm!" they explained. "So we opted for the initial letters of each consonant in our names. RMGB: a bit like a code name, an industrial designation, or a consortium. It's a bit mysterious, it raises questions, and that suits us perfectly!"
This fall marks RMGB's launch of their first self-published furniture line featuring seven pieces total, including six original creations and the reissue of a sculptural Plexiglas armchair by Swiss artist Esther Hess. "The proposition, a sort of stylistic bug between the 1930s and 1970s, represents us. We like objects with spirit, but without seeking complications," the designers noted. These pieces are intentionally simple formally but slightly offbeat in their approach.
Rather than publishing this collection under their agency name, the duo created a separate entity dedicated to their editions, called Adret. "The name comes from Occitan, where 'adret' designates the sunny side of a mountain. This is how we envision our objects, as luminous landscapes. Anchored, elegant, essential pieces," they explained. The carefully curated apartment also features works by contemporary artists including paintings by Shua Hao, represented by Galerie Derouillon, and ceramics by Dylan Bowen from Béton Brut, creating a cohesive blend of design excellence and artistic expression throughout the Parisian duplex.
