Caroline Duncan transformed a 39-square-meter Paris apartment into a study in efficiency and warmth. Located in the hilltop Jourdain neighborhood, the space reflects a blend of practical design and personal history.
A Blueprint for Efficiency
Duncan’s approach prioritized the flow of daily life. She reimagined an early 20th-century workers’ apartment, partially opened by a previous owner, to prioritize the open living and kitchen areas where she spends most of her time. The bedroom and bathroom remain compact, a necessary compromise for the layout.
Custom storage solutions were integrated throughout the home. Duncan added storage beneath the banquette, created a laundry cupboard, and raised the bedroom on a platform to accommodate plumbing and maximize movement. The kitchen utilizes IKEA Method modules, painted to match the surrounding decor. She combined these with Pax units and custom-made upper cabinet modules to ensure a unified aesthetic.
For the living area, Duncan designed a storage wall using a mix of these systems. The result is a polished look that keeps the floor open for living, allowing the room to feel larger than its 420 square feet suggest. The home functions as a dedicated living space that prioritizes one large, multifunctional area.
She drew inspiration from various sources. Duncan watched episodes of the YouTube channel Never Too Small for ideas and was influenced by boat living, noting that the compact nature of maritime design optimizes space to the millimeter. The design balances the bold lines of the joinery with the softness of tactile materials.
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Handmade Touches and Repurposed Materials
The apartment thrives on details that are handmade and repurposed. Duncan sewed noren curtains to frame hidden storage in the entryway and bedroom. Her mother crafted the striped yellow banquette cushions, which Duncan describes as bringing “touches of joy in the long winter months.”
Choosing fabrics that withstand a cat’s scratching habits was essential for the household. Duncan selected green felt for the convertible sofa and dark blue velvet for the dining chairs, knowing these materials are less appealing to her cat, Simon. The tactile mix of felt, velvet, and woven jute layers the home with softness.
In the bedroom, Duncan faced a physical constraint: not enough space to move comfortably around the bed. She trimmed 15 centimeters off the planks of her bed and repurposed the offcuts as floating shelves. This simple alteration added storage without expanding the room’s footprint.
Duncan shares the residence with her partner, Hector, and their pet, Simon. The apartment’s 19th arrondissement setting in the Jourdain neighborhood provides a specific context for her renovation efforts. Rather than seeking a larger footprint, Duncan focused on bringing new life to older structures that often sit unused in a city where housing is scarce. This philosophy allows her to make the old new again, ensuring the space remains accessible for the future while reflecting how they live today.
