How an architect appropriated a historic Parisian apartment

When French architect Benoit Dupuis arrived in Paris from his native Normandy at age 17, he experienced what he calls a “double shock”, discovering the beauty of the city and the people who lived there. Describing his first visit to the City of Light, Benoit recounts: “I remember seeing Notre-Dame on that stormy day, and I said to myself:This is a place to live. Decades later, he’s still in Paris and now resides in the trendy ninth arrondissement, sandwiched between Pigalle to the north and Place Saint Georges to the south.

A mid-century rosewood desk by Herman Miller is surrounded by leather and stainless steel armchairs. The vintage Arteluce light from the Italian designer Paul Rizzato can be adjusted to light up various parts of the room while a 1972 Andy Warhol print adds a splash of color. A bouquet of peonies from Benoit’s local florist Debeaulieu is presented in a Portuguese vase by Artur José. The bright red shutters were designed by Benoit.

Benoit’s apartment, located on the second floor of a late 19th century building, was already well known to the architect: he had renovated it six years ago for the venerable shoemaker Christian Louboutin and his partner Bruno Chamberlain. They considered opening their first store there but decided to leave the space, and when they did, they gifted it to Benoit. The architect now shares the apartment with his life and work partner, Luis Placido de Abreu. “The volumes were there and I just accompanied what existed,” said Benoit, taking over the apartment. “I redesigned the palette.

The living room is anchored by a wool rug designed by Andr & # xE9; Arbus by La Manufacture Cogolin, which is surrounded by a mix of vintage seating by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand. Benoit designed the wall piece in black oak veneer and metal and the unique bookcase. — The living room is anchored by a wool rug designed by André Arbus from La Manufacture Cogolin, which is surrounded by a mix of vintage seating by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand. Benoit designed the wall piece in black oak veneer and metal and the unique bookcase.

The intention has always been to keep the kitchen and bathroom as they were and to respect the original moldings and wood floors. “I found the oak floors so beautiful, they are old and not too varnished,” he recalls. One of the apartment’s most striking features are the unusual shutters he designed, which open like an accordion. “They add a brighter light feel and are nuanced,” says Benoit, referring to the two tones of white paint he used to give the panels an extra dimension. (Fun fact: The first time he designed interior shutters was for Keith Richards, a client early in his career.)

A David Rowland 40/4 chair set from 1964 lines one side of a table designed by Benoit. A vintage sconce of a French train can be seen on the back wall. Benoit painted the shutters in two different shades of white to add dimension. — A set of 40/4 chair by David Rowland from 1964 line one side of a table designed by Benoit. A vintage sconce of a French train can be seen on the back wall. Benoit painted the shutters in two different shades of white to add dimension.

Benoit is also responsible for all of the built-in furniture throughout the apartment, and this was the first time he had designed rooms for himself. “I am clearly inspired by Le Corbusier, and as you can see, I love Alvar Aalto. I like the minimal spirit, and they are both architects and designers, like me, ”he notes.

The vintage chairs in the Concorde lounge by Pierre Paulin face four stackable chairs by Alvar Aalto from 1929. The white furniture was designed by Benoit.

When he is not at home, Benoit works on the Louboutin castle and a collaboration with one of his very close friends, an interior designer Cathy Vedovi. They formed a company called Dupuis Vedovi and opened their first office in Venice. Why Venice? “A lot of people are passing by and we are in a palace on the Grand Canal,” he explains. “We will show interesting proposals with art and it will be a place of exhibition, meeting and work.” Back in Paris, the architect will embark on a much more modest project, adding a small terrace to his apartment, just a small outdoor space for two.

Benoit designed the detailed closets and flanking the bed, and painted a tone-on-tone white headboard directly onto the wall. The vintage sconces are by Charlotte Perriand and the bedspread is in Pierre Frey fabric. In the corner is a vintage Mies van der Rohe chair from Nilufar in Milan. — Benoit designed the detailed closets and flanking the bed, and painted a tone-on-tone white headboard directly onto the wall. Vintage wall lights are from Charlotte perriand and the bedspread is a Pierre Frey fabric. In the corner is a vintage Mies van der Rohe chair from Nilufar in Milan.

Do it yourself

Carve out a space to eat in the kitchen, regardless of its size In an effort to make the best use of the original small kitchen footprint, Benoit paired a small game table with 1940s stools to create space for a quick breakfast or a cup of tea.

Paint a headboard directly on the wall In the bedroom, Benoit eschewed a traditional headboard for a rectangle painted in a neutral tone. While the effect is subtle against white walls, it helps orient the sconces that flank the bed.

Benoit kept the original kitchen tiles, but designed coordinating cabinetry in a color block arrangement. A French mid-century game table is paired with 1940s stools by Andr & # xE9; Sornay, and the Murano jam glasses and jars are from Buccellati. The silver pitcher is by Morcello Moretti Venice and the various ceramics are by Bordallo Pinheiro. — Benoit kept the original kitchen tiles, but designed coordinating cabinetry in a color block arrangement. A mid-century French game table is paired with 1940s stools by André Sornay, and the glasses and jars of Murano jam are of Buccellati. The silver pitcher is from Morcello Moretti Venice and the different ceramics are from Bordallo Pinheiro.

Mix heirlooms with modern pieces A pair of 19th century Chinese vases by Luis’s grandmother and 19th century elephant candle holders in gilded bronze and lapis lazuli by the interior designer Jean-Paul Beaujard are located against a collection of modern art and design in the office.

Pay homage to a designer or architect you admire A nod to the Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto, Benoit stacked a set of his 611 chairs like a sculpture in the office.