Interior designers Rebecca Benichou and Florence Jallet from Batiik Studio have successfully transformed a minimal 226-square-foot (21 square meters) apartment in Paris into a highly functional two-room living space. Located at the foot of Montmartre hill in Paris's 18th arrondissement, the project showcases the duo's signature bold use of color and demonstrates how thoughtful design can maximize even the smallest urban spaces.
The apartment represents one of the many minimal-surface dwellings that characterize the French capital. Originally configured as a single open studio space, the tiny residence required complete reorganization to accommodate two separate rooms while maintaining natural light flow from just three windows. The designers approached the challenge by conceptualizing the space as a hotel room, prioritizing both functionality and character within the severely constrained footprint.
The redesigned layout begins with an entrance corridor that leads to the bathroom, followed by a central living area that serves as the apartment's main hub. This central space features a kitchen island that extends into a built-in banquet seating area, maximizing every inch of available space. Adjacent to the seating, a suspended shelf cleverly doubles as a dining table, eliminating the need for additional furniture that would crowd the compact interior.
Access to the bedroom requires sliding open a distinctive checkerboard door made of alternating wood and glass panels. The private sleeping area features bold wallpaper that creates an intimate atmosphere and provides visual separation from the main living space. This design choice enhances the hotel-like quality of the residence while ensuring the bedroom feels like a distinct, cozy retreat.
Throughout the apartment, Benichou and Jallet have incorporated a warm green color palette that serves as the unifying design element. This signature hue is complemented by extensive use of natural wood elements and enveloping textiles that add warmth and texture to the compact space. The color scheme creates visual continuity between the different areas while making the small apartment feel cohesive rather than cramped.
The interior decoration features carefully curated art pieces and design objects that add personality without overwhelming the limited space. Notable pieces include photography by Adel Slimane Fecih, tableware designed by Sophie Lou Jacobsen and Natalia Criado, and wall sconces by Léa Zéroil for Modern Métier. The collection also incorporates stone artworks by Guillaume Campredon from L'Œil de KO gallery and vintage seating pieces that add character and sophistication to the diminutive dwelling.
This project demonstrates how skilled interior design can transform even the most challenging spatial constraints into livable, attractive homes. The architects' success in creating a functional two-room apartment from such a small footprint while maintaining aesthetic appeal represents an impressive achievement in micro-living design, offering inspiration for urban dwellers facing similar space limitations.
