Flamboyant interiors aren’t the only way to seduce the eye in a Parisian residential revamp. Atelier MKD architect Marika Dru makes a compelling case for minimalism in Foch, a renovated 1950s-60s apartment near the Champs-Élysées.
In a word: curves. Formerly a complex mix of architectural styles and elements, Atelier MKD reconceived the heritage residence with a floor plan based on cohesive, curved spaces that are generous yet singular and intimate. Here, subtlety means a blend of heritage and modernity, observed in structural elements such as light-reflecting mineral plaster walls with original curved accents, and rooms transformed into cocoon-like spaces that amplify the residence’s minimalistic interiors.
“The perfection of the curve ensures the eye never stops on a line or obstruction. Everything was custom-designed: elements echo one another, with arched cornices and curved walls combining to create an enveloping atmosphere,” Dru shares.
A gourmand palette of whites and creams is ‘monochrome’ at its most mellow. Its atmosphere is enhanced by Dru’s signature approach to materiality, with Roman plaster and Sainte-Croix stone placed in dialogue with Chantilly parquetry and abundant textiles.
In the kitchen, polished parquetry floors converse with the apartment’s monochromatic palette, creating a sense of warmth and textural diversity.
The dining room showcases Dru’s vision for spatial continuity in the apartment. A custom-lacquered table by Atelier MKD is curated with an eclectic mix of decor and furnishings, including two Spanish Renaissance chairs and 1930s-style double doors.
In the primary bedroom, structural curves are complemented by carpet and wool curtains, creating a sense of comfort and intimacy; like being enclosed in a Parisian pastry cabinet. The primary bathroom—the showpiece of the apartment—displays a balance of structure and materiality, heritage and modernity, without ostentation. “The primary bathroom became the inspiration for the entire project. Its design showcases a majestic bathtub and tall, slender arched doors, evoking the elegance and romanticism of historic bathing salons,” reflects Dru.
“We worked with Roman plaster, which makes the walls waterproof while following the space’s curves. We paired it with understated stones in soft tones to preserve the sense of calm. For the tapware, we deliberately chose polished finishes to counterbalance the matte, subdued character of the materials—always seeking that delicate balance between simplicity and sophistication.”
Custom-designed furniture pieces by Atelier MKD are spatial markers in the apartment’s furnishing scheme, which is eclectic but stylistically intellectual. Atelier MKD’s lacquered wood console and pedestal tables are curated alongside a selection of design objects spanning periods and styles, including a travertine coffee table by Stéphane Parmentier, Spanish Renaissance chairs in the dining room, and 1970s chairs in the master bedroom. Tonal artworks are interspersed among the spaces, with pieces including Patchwork Painting by Camilla Reyman, and a ceramic sculpture, Almost a Spinning Top (2023) by Han Chiao.
Like a smooth flan pâtissier, Foch showcases how the subtle combination of forms, evocative textures, and mellow tones is the secret ingredient to achieving minimalism at its most seductive.
Feature furnishings in the living space include an armchair by Galerie Pascal Cuisinier, a travertine coffee table by Stéphane Parmentier, and a custom-designed side table by Atelier MKD.
The placement of carpet and voluminous curtains enhances the bedroom’s curved layout, creating a tactile, cocoon-like space.
The showpiece of the apartment, the primary bathroom is defined by slender arched doors and a “majestic bathtub,” with concrete, stone, and marble elements recalling the elegance of historic bathing salons.
