EN – HOLA.COM Magazine january 2026

Two Paris Apartment Renovations That Open the Kitchen to the Living Room Without Losing French Chic

Two Parisian apartments, two iconic neighborhoods, and one shared idea: opening the kitchen onto the living–dining area to gain light, space, and everyday livability—without giving up decorative moldings, a fireplace, and that unmistakable je ne sais quoi of the City of Light.

FIRST PROJECT: A Day Area of More Than 32 m² Meant to Be Lived In

In this Paris apartment, the renovation focuses on a generous social space (living room–dining room–kitchen) designed for daily life: entertaining, cooking, studying, or improvising a dinner party without moving from one room to another. The feeling of spaciousness comes not only from opening up the layout, but from visually organizing each function so that the whole reads as a single, serene, and coherent space.
A project by Catalina Castro Blanchet.

“Between high ceilings, restored fireplaces, and a new open kitchen, this Paris apartment strikes a balance between tradition and modernity,” explain those responsible for the project.

The Key Move: Relocating the Kitchen to the Living Room

Here, the structural decision changes everything. The original kitchen is moved and integrated into the main living space to create a large shared area and, at the same time, free up square meters to add an extra bedroom. It is a very Parisian strategy: redistributing the layout without losing the apartment’s soul, allowing the floor plan to work in favor of family life.

Tradition Preserved: Moldings, Fireplace, and Reclaimed Wood

“The project started with a clear objective: to optimize space without losing the spirit of the place,” recall the project team. The French essence remains intact through details such as decorative moldings, a fireplace in the living area, and reclaimed wood flooring. Rather than competing with these elements, the renovation highlights them, ensuring the space retains the classic elegance so closely associated with Haussmann-style interiors.

White Cabinet Fronts and Handle-Free Design in the Kitchen

With the dining area acting as a link between the living room and the kitchen, the latter is arranged in a linear layout with cabinetry built along the wall. For this project, white laminated fronts, clean lines, and the absence of visible handles were chosen, all by CUBRO, allowing the cabinetry to blend seamlessly into the architecture without overshadowing the living space.

Carefully Balanced Contrasts

The kitchen design was resolved with clean lines, no visible handles, and custom-made cabinetry that makes the most of every corner. Closed units with doors and drawers are combined with open modules used as shelving, finished in a wood veneer. All elements are by CUBRO.