Nestled in the La Varenne Saint-Hilaire neighborhood of Saint-Maur-des-Fossés – a Parisian suburb just seven miles southeast of the city’s center, lies this gorgeous renovation by 05AM Arquitectura. The residence is a late 19th century ‘Maison à Colombages’ (half timber home) and its revamp strikes that magical balance between providing clarity and modernization through simplification and celebrating centuries old details.

 

 

 

ON THE GROUND… level, the team created a more seamless flow from living to dining to kitchen by removing an existing partition.

 

 

 

A SENSE OF… continuity was further emphasized through the use of simple furnishings and a consistent, minimal palette of white walls, sleek monochrome marbles, and natural wood tones.

 

 

 

TO PROVIDE… a visual break from the predominantly slick renovation, the design team brought in unexpected yet controlled doses of rustic detail. We see this first in the dining area with an age worn dining table and statuary and later, as we travel up through the home via roughly carved balustrades.

 

 

 

ON THE FIRST… level, the architects continued to modernize, streamline, and highlight, while taking a slightly more playful approach. Here, existing alcoves strongly informed the design – providing the inspiration for a dramatic marble-clad bathing niche and opportunities for lively color play in the children’s rooms.

 

 

 

AS FOR… the exterior, 05AM Arquitectura both preserved and updated the home’s innate character – opting to maintain the rough shingled roof, while swapping out the traditional brown and beige facade for a fresh modern coat of gray and white. The end result is something out of a European fairy tale – looking equal parts past and present, fantasy and reality.

 

1. Black Pendant Light 

2. Marble Ring Tray

3. Diamond-Cut Bowl

4. Handcrafted Wood Bar Stool

5. Reclaimed Wood Dining Table

6. Ceramic Plate and Cup

7. Midcentury-Inspired Stoneware Table Lamp

8. Black Stone Buddha Head