00:01When I first saw the apartment, I knew it had a great potential but it wasn't
00:06making the most of the space. There were walls everywhere and before we knocked
00:11them all down, I actually had my whole swarming party here with all my friends.
00:16We drew all over the old walls together and I think it made the beginning of the
00:22project even more special. Because this is my own apartment, I had the chance to
00:28design it exactly the way I wanted. I wanted a home that feels simple,
00:33comfortable and truly personal. My name is Antoni Aoun, I'm an interior architect
00:40based in France and the founder of the company Aoun Interior.
00:53The apartment is located in Bougival, a residential town in the western suburb of Paris, about
00:5915 minutes from the city centre. Bougival offers a unique balance between proximity to Paris
01:06and a quieter, more residential environment. The town is also known as one of the birthplaces
01:13of Improchenism, adding a strong cultural layer to the surroundings.
01:19The building dates back to the late 19th century and it's part of a protected heritage setting.
01:26The building is also very small with only five apartments which gives it a quiet and friendly atmosphere.
01:35We have a shared garden that can be accessed through the basement. Only one neighbour and
01:41I use it regularly, so it almost feels like having our own private garden.
01:47Green also became a subtle thread throughout the apartment. This colour creates a connection
01:53between the inside and the outside. It's probably the colour that represents me the most.
02:03The apartment is 43 square meters. When I bought the apartment, it had a narrow entrance,
02:11a separated kitchen, enclosed living space and two close sleeping areas that made it feel much smaller
02:18than it really was. For me, this project was all about opening up the space. I completely changed the
02:27layout of the apartment. The first thing I did was remove almost all the walls because I wanted the
02:34natural light to travel through the whole space. I moved the kitchen so it became part of the living area.
02:41I also designed a large bookshelf with a hidden desk and I created an open bedroom that still feels
02:48private thanks to the custom wardrobe and the sliding door. I decided to keep the toilet near to the
02:54entrance and separate it from the bathroom. I also relocated it slightly during the renovation to
03:01improve circulation and make it feel more natural within the new layout.
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03:35and turning dead space into beautiful hard-working curved cabinetry.
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04:19From the moment you step onto the landing, I wanted to create a different atmosphere,
04:24almost like a small cabinet of curiosities. My neighbors were happy for me to personalize the
04:31landing. Around the door, I created the custom furniture to hide the electrical panel, store a few
04:38pairs of shoes, and display some of the objects I have collected during my travels.
04:44Using the landing this way also allowed me to free up various space inside the apartments.
04:51I designed the entrance door myself and added custom-made in Portugal in aged metal.
05:00Inside the apartment, on the entrance door, I integrated a small keybox with the same color
05:05as a door, so it almost disappears. Hidden in the wall, there is a storage for coats and shoes,
05:16so everything stays clean and out of sight.
05:25Two slim black metal shelves are fixed onto the wooden panels.
05:30One of the buildings, they are very shallow, so they don't get in the way when you walk through the
05:34entrance.
05:36During the demolition, we discovered an original 19th century wooden beam that had been hidden for years.
05:44We restored it and made it one of the main features of their apartment,
05:48because it tells part of the building's history.
05:53The living room is where I spent most of my time. One of my favorite things about this room is
05:58the view of the church.
06:00I wanted to feel connected to it, so I kept the space as open as possible and made sure nothing
06:05blocked the natural light.
06:08The bookshelf is probably my favorite thing in the space. It's really the heart of the living room.
06:14I didn't want a division, so I designed this large custom unit instead.
06:18It became a place where I can display the objects I've collected over the years.
06:23There are also books I enjoy reading and a few gaming collectibles that remind me of my younger years.
06:30The bookshelf is not only decorative, it also includes a lot of custom storage and a hidden desk.
06:37The tall storage by the window serves as both a pantry and a bar area.
06:43I chose wood because I wanted the room to feel warm and welcoming.
06:47I used black to create contrasts and connect different parts of the apartment,
06:51especially with the Zimbabwe granite and the kitchen.
06:55At the back of the bookshelf, there are antique style mirrors.
06:59They reflect the lights, create more depth and make the living room feel even larger.
07:07The desk is hidden and completely custom made.
07:20I took inspiration from sliding kitchen system to create a desk that pulls out when I need it.
07:27It gives me enough space to work comfortably on A3 drawings and plants.
07:34When I'm done working, everything slides back into the library.
07:42The success of this project was being able to work comfortably,
07:46without seeing my office all the time.
07:53For the furniture in the living room, I chose pieces from Roche-Boubois and Red Edition
07:58because they really match my style.
08:00I chose the blogger sofa by Roche-Boubois because I wanted something contemporary,
08:04but also soft and comfortable.
08:07It's not a sofa bed, but it's comfortable enough for friends to stay over for a couple of nights
08:12when they visit.
08:14For the lunch coffee table by Red Edition, I wanted something timeless and elegant.
08:20It's also very practical.
08:21It's larger enough for board game with friends and the overall shelf is perfect for storage.
08:30The kitchen and dining area are fully integrated into the living space.
08:35Designed to be compact and discreet.
08:41The choice of materials and colors was made to harmonize with the overall space, ensuring visual continuity.
08:50I added a tile section on the floor to give the kitchen the feeling of its own space.
08:55I also added a botanical wallpaper from Arte with plant patterns.
09:01The kitchen worktop and splashback are both made from Zimbabwe granite,
09:05which adds another reflective surface to the room.
09:10For the dining area, I choose a round table because it makes it easier to move around the apartment.
09:17I like its simple design and the black finish links to the other details in the apartment.
09:26The large mirror is actually the bedroom door.
09:30Most of the time, I keep the door closed and people don't even realize there is another room behind it.
09:38I design it as a full height mirror, so I can use it every day before leaving the apartment.
09:46The sleeping area was designed to feel like a small hotel street.
09:50Intimate, but thanks to the window, it feels open.
09:55I design a full height wardrobe with hanging space, shelves and drawers.
10:05I choose a storage bed, which gives me an extra space for things I don't use every day.
10:15I used the same natural wallpaper on the closet doors and on the bedroom side of the sliding door,
10:20so that the room feels cohesive.
10:25After adding insulation to the walls, I was able to make three alcohols,
10:29one for the bed and two smaller shelves,
10:33which were inspired by the gothic arches of the church outside.
10:39I built lights directly into the wall next to the bed.
10:43This leaves more space on the bedside tables and keeps everything feeling simple and tidy.
10:51I decided not to add a door between the bedroom and the bathroom to keep it as light as possible.
10:58I choose a graphic tile with a triangular mosaic pattern to bring rhythm and make the space feel more special.
11:07The bathroom is finished in light tones to maximize the reflection of natural light and maintain a bright and calm
11:14atmosphere.
11:17I designed a piece of jewelry to hide all the technical elements.
11:22The washing machine is in the lower part, while the hot water tank is concealed above.
11:34When I have friends or clients over, I don't necessarily want them to walk through my bedroom to use the
11:40toilet.
11:41That's why I decided to keep the toilet near to the entrance and separate it from the bathroom.
11:51Behind the toilet, I created custom storage for cleaning products and things I don't want to see every day.
11:58There is also a tiny sink in here.
12:03For me, designing a small space is more about revealing something already there, rather than adding more.
12:13I believe that a small apartment should be designed as a single, continuous environment where functions are integrated rather than
12:19separated.
12:20It's about creating a space that can adapt to different moments of life while remaining simple, intuitive and deeply personal.
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