NEVER TOO SMALL: Tetris Shaped French Modernist Apartment, Paris 43m2/463sqft

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Originally a decrepit, dark apartment with a challenging floor plan, architect Flore Gustin of Amate Architecture transformed this 1890s Parisian apartment using inspiration from modernist architecture pioneer Le Corbusier’s iconic Villa La Roche, specifically his use of curved walls and shades of Prussian blue and terracotta. These colours are most prominent in the newly created and placed kitchen, consisting of a central kitchen island with integrated storage. A built-in floor-to-ceiling storage wall finished in okoume wood runs the length of the kitchen and conceals most of the apartment’s functions, including wardrobe, fridge and pantry. A striking curved wall around the bedroom was designed to allow natural light from the street-facing balcony to stream into all corners of the now light and airy apartment.
#smallapartment #architecture #interiordesign
Ep 150
Project Name: Jules
Architect: amate-architec...
Produced by New Mac Video Agency
Creator: Colin Chee
Director: Nam Tran
Cinematographer: Matthieu Torres
Producer: Lindsay Barnard
Editor: Sebastian Tibbs
Music: Pappa by mee & Light bending by We Dream of Eden from Artlist.io

[@jdp486]

You know how Architectural Digest does a series where interior designers virtually redesign a space? I think it would be fascinating to have some of these architects back on the channel to evaluate a random for-sale listing, explaining how they would approach the space. How they manipulate the structure/floorplan is always so interesting!

[@kierand9410]

Co-sign this idea!

[@gunnergreg1867]

​@@kierand9410so do I 👌

[@linda7538]

Agreee

[@dreamsofmusicbutalasdayjob5920]

Yes 🙌🏽

[@guldenalkocoglu7184]

Nice! Would be interesting

[@MIchelle-cairn_mom]

The bathroom door is ingenious!

[@excitedaboutlearning1639]

It is, but it makes me wonder whether there is a danger of moisture building up and causing mold.

[@gus473]

Yes! Plus fantastic tile work AND a working window! A fantastic update! 😎✌️

[@kierand9410]

@@excitedaboutlearning1639 I thought the same

[@XEinstein]

That door design is pretty silly. Why would anyone want to keep the door to a toilet open all the time? Especially after taking a dump

[@frederickarcala4749]

It really is. Brilliant.

[@nutube6291]

Clean, sophisticated, functional yet quirky (with splashes of blue colour, which separates the house from other houses)--great job indeed

[@tuppence937]

The outside facade of that apartment complex is simply breathtaking. And the view from the plant filled balcony is stunning. I would live there in a heartbeat.

[@SmoutchBlog]

This kind of facade, it's pretty common in Paris :)

[@ramandiezo]

It's the standard facade in Paris, you should visit it if you like this type of architecture :)

[@emilie.b7020]

First of all, thank you NEVER TOO SMALL for your outstanding architectural content! I adore watching your videos and it really changed the way I plan on living in the future. Now, all I want is to have a small functional cozy home like you show in your videos. I find the videos very charming and peaceful! Thank you for all of your hard work! I also loved this home that Flore Gustin made! Absolutely lovely! I loved every single project made in Paris ( as I am planning to live there myself )! Thanks

[@nevertoosmall]

❤️We haven’t featured any project from Brussels yet but hopefully in the future !

[@gus473]

​@@nevertoosmall Oh, yes, please do! 😎✌️

[@lizabetx483]

Walking directly into a kitchen island is a bit disorienting. Everything else is lovely.

[@kbelle4138]

I love the design of this apartment. brilliant use of space and color, one of my favorite designs in this channel for this year.

[@Dinki-Di]

Full marks for this one. Practical yet playful. A great use of space with delightful decorative elements.

[@yannikkissa9419]

Wow. She has a talent! This apartment is extraordinary. My absolute favourite here is the rounded wall, but there are so many unique details!

[@petalss5325]

The round wall is such a clever touch, it gives the feeling of a Grande museum, of course on a minute scale!

[@guy_fierihanna1034]

i can’t believe what a difference those few subtle curved elements make. the light bounces around the rounded corners so beautifully. this is one of my favorite designs that’s ever been on the channel, and one i constantly return to for inspiration in color palette, storage maximization, and unconventional layouts. who would’ve thought that fitting your whole kitchen into a statement island bench would look so cool?

[@mynestintheforest]

Brilliantly transformed! I especially love the flow of the spaces from one into the other with so much light, airiness and practicality. The bathroom / kitchen long wall is super clever indeed. Impressive execution of what formerly was a dark cave.

[@sonalibasak5213]

Everything about this apartment is so good,so well thought of. A great mix of function and style.the apartment looks like a peaceful dream abode.

[@conniebruckner8190]

Very nicely done make-over! It certainly feels bigger than the sq m given. Lovely choice of colours and of course that marvellous balcony and other plants in the place. I'd personally not want to have a kitchen where one needs to always walk around the island for the different appliances and storage, nor would I want a tiled surface as it is difficult to clean. Elsewhere someone pointed out that having clothes stored next to the kitchen is not a good idea. Hope that air vent contraption takes care of cooking smells. A great 'bachelor' pad!

[@stephen6307]

obviously the kitchen wasn't designed with a home cook in mind. would not work for me

[@serenakoleno9338]

Really love the female architects' work I've been seeing lately. There's a practical aspect to their design often lacking in male counterparts. The door to bath/sink is ingenious and provides nice continuity. May require wiping up sink or leaving door cracked if no exhaust fan is in place. The countertop would be handy drop zone when returning home with groceries, etc. If you retrieve your refrigerator items when beginning meal prep, no need to walk around the counter. Since they have a kitchen sink I don't understand the comments about hand washing. If the vent pipe were a problem, I imagine she would have enclosed it. Since the bathroom is so tiny, I don't have a problem with clothes in kitchen area. It has doors to keep smells out. What is so difficult about grabbing your clothes and getting dressed in bathroom or bedroom? It's a tiny apartment. Are folks put off by female architects or just being nitpicky? More please, this is fabulous 😍. TFS

[@almudenablanch2667]

The aesthetics of this transformation are very good, but the layout does not convince me, the clothes closet next to the kitchen? The room between the living room and the kitchen? I think the living room and kitchen should be in the same area. Additionally, tiles as a countertop are difficult to clean.

[@michellebyrom6551]

I agree. I would turn the bedroom 180° and place it in the darkest corner with clerestory windows on the internal wall. That allows the curved wall to be retained to maximise spacial flow. The corner vacated by the bedroom would become the kitchen area. The laundry area would be in the same space. The two corner windows of the new kitchen area would allow light to reach the entrance. A dining area would sit naturally between kitchen and living room whilst allowing full interaction with guests. A bathroom door intended to remain closed wouldn't make natural light a problem and allow for conventional privacy. Materials, colours, finishes could remain the same. I would replace the kitchen worktop with a smooth blue surface though as I dislike tiled counters.

[@IamnotJokic]

Love the idea of the curved wall to let in more sun. But the small appliances make it feel claustrophobic.

[@sophiaisabelle01]

The whole space looks incredible. We hope to see more.

[@hitenmitsurugi3225]

I'm lovin' the curved walls. Very unique and gives more character.

[@pisteuojustbelieve]

It’s lovely especially the colours but I would change the whole layout. I would put the bedroom where the lounge is so it’s open concept and you can walk into the kitchen / dinning and lounge area from the entry door and put the lounge where the bedroom is. Makes more sense but a lovely apartment

[@annie7395]

It was mentioned in passing, but the street side of the apartment is the one with the living room and balcony. Personally, street noise/energy that permeates my sleeping space is a nonstarter, so I understand a layout that prioritizes privacy. Additionally, while narrow, the way the layout elongates that main space and light is veeeery pleasing

[@luizamourarabelocosta2290]

looking for this comment! Even though the street side is where the living room is in the project I feel that the kitchen/living room situation would improve a lot with this change. Even the wardrobe could be inside the bedroom. And they could use double glass windows...I don't know, the apartment was really well executed, but it doesn't feel as 'fluid' as it could be. Anyway I like the colours and the some other solutions.

[@christinenicolaz4880]

Vous avez beaucoup de talent Quel belle rénovation

[@jcsa73]

Brilliant, cozy, modern, minimalist, Le Courblusier, practic, luminous, clean, sophisticated. I love everything in this apartment. Thank you for sharing this, I enjoy every NTS project. Thank you genious people and architects. Love from México.

[@niasalas4996]

So many solutions ! I loved this design so functional and attractive ! What an amazing architect !

[@Hey_look_at_that]

I love the clever use of storage, that dual function bathroom door. Also I'm loving the pops of cobalt blue ❤

[@insertyourquarters]

Everything works. Honestly a fantastic transformation.

[@B__C__]

While on the whole I like what's been done to the apartment (the color pallet, the furniture, eliminating unnecessary walls, and allowing a lot more sun into the center around a curved wall), I have to say that it seems a bit odd to have your wardrobe in you kitchen/dining area. Is your partner supposed to eat breakfast while you are dressing next to them? The bathroom door seems a bit awkward as well. Although the kitchen sink is probably your first recourse if you just need to wash your hands I can imagine times when it might not be available and a person might not want to touch the door because of their greasy or otherwise very dirty hands. Maybe a sliding door?

[@DJ-6972]

Yeah, it's an extremely challenging footprint to work with. Very creative solutions here (love that bathroom door idea!) but if I were an owner I'd want to see one or two more layout options that address some of the same concerns. Maybe this is the best that can be done but your daily life movement is very bifurcated here - part of the pros and cons of living in a city like Paris.

[@yannikkissa9419]

Had exactly the same thought about the bathroom. The wardrobe wouldn't be a problem for me as long as you don't fry a lot haha

[@minako_bg]

Totally agree! As well as entering the home and you are in front of the kitchen... very unpractical to me.

[@B__C__]

@@DJ-6972 I understand that cost, and practicality play a part in the design process (particularly in regards to things like plumbing), but I still find some of the design choices... awkward. "Sorry, Honey. I just sat on the butter while pulling up my briefs." and that sort of thing.

[@B__C__]

@@minako_bg Yeah, it looked a bit odd to me in the view from the entry door, but I've seen other tiny Never To Small designs that incorporate similar entry ways, so I guess there are folks out there who like it. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ If I had the freedom to move the plumbing and interior walls around a bit I think I might have made that entry into a curving hall lined with mostly-hidden storage as shown leading between the bathroom (which I am just going to assume we can't move far) and the current living space and move the kitchen into share living space. Some of the current kitchen could be subsumed into the bedroom (maybe as a wardrobe 😉) and the rest could made into little entry cloakroom affair with a bench to take your shoes off and storage for them. The kitchen itself was already quite small and mostly hidden from sight. I can imagine bits of it being built into the storage along the way into the living room or made less obtrusive than being the first thing you see upon entering.

[@lau.e.3316]

Wow. Quel changement.. très joli appartement, vraiment bravo 👏

[@sophieostria9113]

Remarquable architecture! Not only is the space incredibly rationalized, but the stylistic Le Corbusier inspiration a total success! I wish this young architect the fulfilling career she deserves

[@sternzeitdesign9827]

Hello, I´m really proud that one of our chairs (The blue Retrostar Chair in the corner) made it into one your videos!!! I´m a follower from NEVER TOO SMALL since the very first beginning and really love your videos! So happyy 🤩🤩🤩🎉🎊🎈

[@marvinraphaelmonfort8289]

love the curved wall, integrated bench and fireplace

[@becomingsophiesceliaclife]

I think my great grandma's grandmother was baptized in that church and her grandmother's parents were married there. They were a Duke and Duchess. Pretty sure that was the name of the church my relative told me our French ancestors attended. It looks just like the photo she sent me. I loved hearing about the architect's inspiration and really loved the use of blue, that's my favorite color.

[@EnglishMikey]

One of the best flats this channel has ever shared. I absolutely love it. The use of colour and spacing is ingenious.

[@abnveteran]

The wall unit is absolutely amazing!

[@varvaraobolonchykova1607]

Somehow just insanely beautiful. Complicated shapes, contradictory colors, insane aesthetics. Love it.

[@I_am_Lauren]

That kitchen feels so "French" and the colored grout in the bathroom is a lovely custom touch!

[@Cinephile-gy6fb]

WOW! Cleverness, beauty, light. This project has it all. Bravo!!!!

[@TheSushmaHomeSellingTeam]

Your unique home is a true work of art! It's unlike anything I've ever seen, and I love how it reflects your personality and creativity. ✨

[@felixpatrick5497]

Happy 150th Episode!

[@tinayoga8844]

I have been disappointed with the places in the last few videos on this channel. This one is so much better. What you have done with this place, it made me feel good. A space that I could be happy in.

[@Htidea]

Some weird decisions but they work! I really loved this!

[@phildalziel8625]

😍Wow! I love everything about this. The colour scheme is perfect!

[@sharonmccauley4010]

The storage and doorway is very clever.❤

[@germanfernandezdurante9467]

I just love how the bathroom door becomes one of the storage doors when not in use. Chef kiss

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

Love the colors. I would love to live there.

[@teemadarif8243]

absolutely adore this apartment layout . Storage areas and touches of blue throughout...just efficient yet harmonious!

[@davidowen2396]

Beautiful! The use of coloured grout is a small but very impacting touch

[@leonore3349]

And easier to clean.

[@aqobaleda5932]

Quite tasteful and smart renovation. The bathroom door solution is neat and practical. I really like this project 😊

[@Sinitarus]

The tiles look really beautiful but oh god, I can tell those are gonna be smudge magnet O_o

[@gladysgreen2]

Stunning. A space that is, like she said, a “modernist cocoon”. A small space that feels vibrant and airy.

[@madik3875]

I wouldn't like that kitchen island right in front of the entrance.

[@user-lk3zf5gi8y]

I love how she designed the bathroom which can be open and yet not really visible 👏👏👏👏

[@jimnelson9775]

Absolutely gorgeous space! It really does not seem small because of the light, high ceilings, and simple palette/decor. It looks like a really lovely district of the city as well.

[@MG478]

This is one of the most aesthetic apartments i've seen on this channel. Fabolous!

[@TrishanPanch]

This is incredibly thoughtfully done

[@a.l.a.7847]

Extremely creative and colorful solutions to update a dark, sad, outdated space!

[@MartiiiDoll]

I'm surprised how well the blue works without looking cheap or juvenile. It shows it's definitely possible to use bright colour without compromising style. Beautiful flat!

[@SIC647]

That integration bathroom doors and storage wall doors is a stroke of genius! Very impressed.

[@bhotsnax]

So many clever solutions. I found myself rewinding several times.

[@gregoryproTV]

You are truly a genius! Wonderful to witness

[@mdeeaonetwothree5162]

The layout was brilliant. Bravo! In particular, the double-sided kitchen bench allows two people to work comfortably together in a confined space

[@jennycampbell5236]

Absolutely stunning. It is so lovely and bright and cheerful. The bedroom is so cosy. The before and after shots show what can be done with the right architect. Brilliant.

[@avneettakhar4135]

Ja'dore!!! And even though it uses white as the base, it's not boring at all with all the kooky pops of colour. Gorgeous apartment

[@dominikmuller5021]

It looks cool and conceptually is great. I'm slightly concerned about the fact that the toilet has no door and is right next to the kitchen. But I love the storage wall so much that I would have to look past this...

[@fairytale7801]

I love this 😢 those blue touches!

[@gozdeuysal7374]

It is such a clever use of space, especially making that weirdly shaped corner in what used to be a kitchen into a shower with integrated shelving. It's one of the most clever and interesting transformations seen on this channel. On top of that, she might be the French architect with the best English pronunciation who has been featured in this channel so far.

[@donatellaopheliapodze7464]

Perfect in colors, shapes, materials and very practical. BRAVO!

[@tormentisaeternum]

One of the more charming interior design lately. Thank you for sharing NTS!

[@IndigoCosmic]

Such pretty blue with lots of light. The bedroom looks super cozy.

[@-belue-6697]

I like how this apartment feels like someone actually lives here but is still open concept in terms of creating natural light with a nice flow throughout... I like that I can see the residents personality throughout the apartment... Even if the apartment was a fully open design and still kept the personality and same apartment design components, it would still be a great apartment...because it's alive with the residents style and perspective and personality... It's not fully my style, but that it has a style and fully shows off who the resident is as an individual is my kind of apartment design. 😎

[@earthshipvoice]

This home emphasizes the beautification and expansive thinking achievable when transforming a small space, with special attention to making it feel as cozy as any larger space. I'm a big fan of the consistent blue theme that fills the home. The design employs a clever use of blue, and also in contrasting sequences, creating a visually striking effect. Thank you for the home-inspiration!

[@michelestapleton]

I love that there is art on the walls. I can't see myself living in a space with no art on the walls.

[@jori7398]

It’s never been my dream to fetch clothes from my kitchen, but I get her concept and I’m sure very happy there. Nice blue.

[@Tiamarruca]

For a Paris apartment this is huge! i trully love light is the focus point, natural light in a bathroom? sign me up!

[@Harry-fk5of]

Love this design, so sleek and highly functional. That bathroom door/storage door feature is ingenious!

[@Itried20takennames]

For one person, 463 sq feet would be just fine, and more so if beautifully done like this. Well designed and not cluttered with the stuff we all have and don’t use.

[@jennifermooreartist8051]

Wowzers - this is gorgeous. That blue with the terracotta 🤌

[@diaa9011]

Clever , quirky, playful , functional … magnificent ❤️

[@MesQueUnGirl]

really cool! wow the blue and red combo

Absolutely amazing mix of having a functional base, and building esthetics off of that

[@tinekejoldersma]

Beautiful, spacious, and strong colours together with wood tones. I love it, of course, being in Paris is perfect. I think coming into the kitchen is a disadvantage. Were to put all the clothing and shoes? An open door to the toilet? Not a fan of that.

[@GlobalCitizen55]

Love it. Amazed at how much has been fitted in under the island.

[@Daeneryss]

Oh gosh! This has to be one of my favourite spaces. It is so clever and bright!

[@klgherkin]

I LOVE the use of colour throughout and the bathroom door is a great idea and may in fact solve a problem i have in my own unit!

[@shelleybleu4903]

Great use of space.

[@schizma87]

43m2? It's huge! I live in 24m2 - that's the challenge!

[@Alexapartments]

Amazing transformation, really love this one for its uniquiness and cozyness!

[@celeste3735]

Loove it, such smart use of the space!

[@wrightuniverse3952]

Absolutely stunning- this is a very thoughtful and elegant apartment. Loads of room to entertain, yet also provides peace serenity. One of the best reasons to watch this channel. 💓💓✨

[@cariiinen]

Love the colourful grout contrasting with the tiles

[@melindadouglas1673]

Brilliant design! I loved everything about this apartment. The curved wall between the bedroom and living room adds such elegance to the space. I love the natural light in each living space. The door in the bath that reveals the sink and vanity when closed is a great design feature. Fantastic job! ❤

[@coffic]

Quand t'as peu d'étagères mais de la Pléiade elle gagne une place centrale 😂 Très beau design franchement, et facile à vivre ce qui est encore mieux.

[@stephanefraga2599]

Very thorough and helpful construction and stylish Shed Plans! kzbin.infoUgkxcLVQopTIucrxiVRQA0khLGQEnDVKCSMG Numerous examples of different shed styles . Other may feature more styles, but this was the best Ryan's Shed Plans I found that gave a good sampling and a lot of good information about actually constructing a shed.

[@xpsxps1339]

Lovely makeover! Very sensible usage of the footage - the apartment feels fresh and airy, not cramped at all. I also enjoyed the color palette and the concept of positive-negative color placing. The storage ideas and light distribution are both brilliantly managed. My only two small reservations are the shape of the dining table and the corners of the countertop close to the dining area. As the architect walked around, it seemed she naturally leaned her body to avoid contact/hitting the corner of the countertop since the area of the dining/countertop is pretty narrow. It will surely be frequently used, so the round table and slightly rounded or beveled corners of the countertop would help the area be less prone to potential collisions body vs. furniture. Otherwise, great job of the duo architect/investor!

[@thaiwatchdog]

Love any projects where architects/designers can transform an older space in a rundown conditions into nicely livable space like this one. Going through my own renovation of an 80 years old room at the moment, I can empathize the challenges 👍 This is a nicely executed makeover. I’m probably biased as I’m very partial to any Haussmann space , building and structure

[@gregorydaines]

I really like this. The blue entry way marked off in the blue is just a really nice touch

[@Oratual_]

ok so this has to be one of my top 5 favorite episodes

[@haebee]

so well-considered. the curved wall not only brought in light, it lengthened the space.

[@dinabelova5856]

💛bathroom door 💛fireplace 💛rounded wall 💛colourscheme 💛layout 💛bedcloths 💛 everything is so good but oh that bathroom door! 💛🤗

[@theaprileighth]

the use of colour here is very artistic.

[@fatimaayesh7]

Stunning makeover! I love the color scheme of the tiles and light feeling to the whole apartment, it feels so fresh and smoothly finished with that curved wall! It's my first time to spot a ceramic sink for the kitchen; I prefer the stainless steel finish as it seems more practical for daily use.