The home of French interior designer Marianne Evennou, 66, in Senlis – a quiet medieval town 45 minutes’ drive from Paris – testifies to her skill for reworking micro-box apartments as macro spaces. The residence, a former run-down single-storey butchery, was transformed into a sprawling four-storey home-meets-art studio by Evennou and her husband Franck, an artist and sculptor.
The turned-leg table and display case, home to Franck’s sculptures, was designed with Marianne to show how slim and vertical furniture can add drama to narrow spaces. Look for similar vintage pendants at skinflintdesign.com.
In Marianne’s loft studio, personal treasures, sentimental art and collections of loved books form the backdrop for new creative ideas. A similar shade of blue paint is Jack’s Room, sold by claybrook studio.co.uk.
The couple bought the space – a raw, single-storey 400sq m cube – in 2008 to create a workshop for Franck, who was keen to increase the scale of his designs. But after a few years the couple decided to sell their nearby home (in a converted convent) and, rather than divide time between the properties, expand the studio into somewhere to live.
Multiple-level glazing opens up sightlines within the home – out to the garden, into the dining and kitchen area, and from Marianne’s studio down to the central living area. For a selection of white upholstered sofas try roseunaike.com.
Franck’s outdoor work studio is accessed just off the lower-ground garden. The abstract mural was drawn by Franck and painted by Marianne.
Thus Evennou added three new levels: on the ground floor is the entrance hall, living room, kitchen, dining room and a new outdoor courtyard area. Industrial cast-iron columns that nod to the former butchery structure support the first-floor master bedroom suite, dressing room and Evennou’s creative work studio. A guest bedroom and bathroom occupy the second floor. Evennou bought a small plot of land for a lower ground floor garden, too, with a studio overlooking it for Franck.
Gingham textiles and a bronze lamp made by Franck add personality and warmth to the main bedroom.
Evennou has placed antiques and artisanal textiles throughout, alongside personal finds: drawings by their two children, paintings from grandparents, handmade ceramics from friends and flowers from the garden. Among the unique objects, an African fertility sculpture alludes to their shared creative journey.
‘All our lives we have lived in smaller apartments,’ says Evennou. ‘It is a luxury to have space and quiet.’
The guest bedroom is home to Franck’s precious copper bath, which has moved with him since he was 25. It had to be hoisted into the space through the roof window cavities. Try catchpoleandrye.com for a range of copper tubs.
The kitchen was custom-made by Italian brand Schiffini. The bistro table – the couple’s first purchase together at the age of 18 – pairs well with Franck’s chair designs. Similar ceramic tableware can be found at mudaustralia.com.
This is an edited extract from Cocoon by Ali Heath, published by Mitchell Beazley, £30. To order a copy for £25.50 with free delivery until 20 July, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937
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