When Marine Etoubleau and Thibault Pailloux were looking to buy an apartment in Paris, the art directors had big ideas for a contemporary, design-led home. But they weren’t sure exactly how far their modest budget would stretch. When they came across a rundown apartment in an iconic development in the 19th arrondissement, however, they saw a way forward.

It was located in Orgues de Flandre, the social housing project designed by German architect Martin Van Trek in the latter half of the 1970s. The brutalist complex comprises more than 2,000 apartments set across several mid-rise buildings and four towers that reach 30-stories tall. When Marine and Thibault found their apartment, located inside one of the towers, Tour Cantate, the one-bedroom had been sitting on the market for five months and was in need of a complete renovation.

The couple were able to look past its odd state—it was “covered in mirrors and very strange,” they say—by focusing on its potential: a huge window overlooking a neighboring park, abundant natural light in the living areas, and impressive views over the complex. “We also saw the price,” says Thibault. “It was pretty cheap for an apartment in Paris!”

$19,480 Wall Finishes & Tiles	$6,160 Flooring	$8,980 Electrical & Lighting
$6,730 Plumbing & Bathroom Fixtures	$1,080 Kitchen Fixtures	$5,750 Countertops
$10,340 Doors	$13,130 Millwork	$5,750 Demolition
$13,680 Architect Fee
Grand Total: $91,080

The guest bedroom, which the couple rents out on Airbnb, has views over the development." layout="" credit="Photo by Felix Grisé" photoUserId=""/>

The prospect of renovating with an architect to entertain big ideas, however, once again brought up cost concerns. “We were unsure if we would have the budget,” says Thibault. “We thought architects were only for big projects and rich people.” When the couple saw the work of Paris practice Augure Studio in a design magazine, they felt an affinity with the way architect Iana Vicq celebrated the rawness of concrete, and reached out. “We saw that people like us could have a flat like this in Paris,” recalls Thibault. “They gave us a quote, and we realized we could afford it.”

Design work took place while the sale was still being finalized, and construction started the day the keys were handed over. (The entire renovation was documented on Instagram.) The first phase of the build—demolition—was the most challenging, as the contractors had to spend almost two months stripping paint and mirrors from the concrete. The phase also revealed a large concrete beam that had been concealed by a false ceiling. This discovery meant parts of the interior would be darker than anticipated, but Augure used the beam to define a new dining nook with banquette seating.

Augure started fresh with the apartment, completely rearranging the interiors to better support the couple’s lifestyle. The team moved the kitchen into the primary area, facing an open-plan living room. “In our previous apartment the kitchen was in a tiny room—every time I cooked, I was alone,” explains Thibault. “Now, when we have guests, everyone can gather around the kitchen while I cook.”

The apartment’s kitchen was converted into a bedroom—with the original bright red floor tiles retained—that the couple rent out on Airbnb. The former kitchen storage area is now a utility room with an adjacent space to store the couple’s four bikes. It’s concealed behind an enormous pivoting mirrored door that reflects natural light into the previously dark entryway. The bathroom is tucked behind the new kitchen, and the entrance is similarly concealed behind oiled plywood joinery.

“We thought architects were only for big projects and rich people.”
—Thibault Pailloux, resident

Sourcing furnishings, lighting, and appliances secondhand helped the couple adhere to their budget when finishing the apartment. Marine and Thibault used popular French marketplace Lebencoin to purchase appliances and fixtures for the kitchen, for example, and scored a Hay sofa for the living area. These pre-loved finds and the stripped concrete bring a new flavor to the ’70s development. “It’s not perfect, but that’s what we find really cool,” says Thibault. “You can see there is a story behind the walls here.”

More Budget Breakdown:

A Diner-Style Booth Is the Beating Heart of This Refreshed Family Home in France

This $53K Kitchen Renovation Is the Anti-HGTV Aesthetic

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Augure Studio

Flooring: Forbo

Furniture & Appliances: Leboncoin