Atelier MKD has unveiled their design for the Henri-Martin II residence - a family home located on one of Paris's most beautiful avenues

The design concept, as the designers explain, began with the building itself, grounding the apartment's story in its unique features. "Art Deco has been the cornerstone of our thinking, paired with a desire to infuse it with our sense of modernity," states Marika Dru, founder of Atelier MKD. This approach led to a core design challenge: "Thus we tried to bring roundness to rigor."

The rigor is evident in the "design and proportion of the monumental doors on fluted wooden pivots," while "Roundness through the use of curves that are welcoming and inviting" brings a softer touch. This duality, a central theme for the designers, extends to the materials. "What we found most exciting about the project was that we were able to work on duality: that of rigor and rigor as mentioned above, in the architectural lines; but also that of materials," Dru explains, highlighting a bathroom where "this contrast is particularly well illustrated... with a play between minerality through the wall rendering and a beautiful Hainault stone and fluted rough-hewn wood fixtures."

The choice of soft palettes and nature-inspired materials is integral to the project's timeless aesthetic. Atelier MKD's goal is for their interiors to "last over time, through trends." Dru achieves this by incorporating materials like "fluted oak in the kitchen to the concrete in the bathroom," which "add character and a bit of edge to the interior," while "the neutral colours in the upholstery and curtains ensure that the result remains timeless."

The apartment is a clear reflection of Atelier MKD's culture and vision. "We succeeded in creating an atmosphere that was both sophisticated and uncluttered," Dru affirms. This distinctive approach, characterized by a "soft ambience combined with a highly drawn style, is certainly a hallmark in the agency's DNA."

For the Henri-Martin II apartment, Atelier MKD carefully sourced and designed specific items to achieve their vision of "refinement and minimalism." This included mixing "comfortable, enveloping seats with more sculptural, mineral pieces like Stéphane Parmentier's coffee table." Atelier MKD also custom-designed furniture that pays homage to the apartment's Art Deco origins, such as "tables in the walk-in closet and in the dining room." 

Light also played a significant role throughout the space, with the designers expressing their sensitivity to it and their admiration for artists like Pierre Bonnefille and Gwen Hardie, whose work resonates with their own pursuit of "a rather radical purity."