Nicolas Baumann Fischer shows us this jewel box of an apartment with a certain pride. “We’ve come a long way,” he says. Abandoned since the 1960s, time and the elements were taking their toll on the 624-square-foot apartment, which was in need of a complete renovation. Today, it has a new look and a second life thanks to a complete makeover by Maison Baumann.
A silent witness to the military past of this emblematic neighborhood of Paris, the dome of Les Invalides also watches over this apartment. Its inescapable presence played a role in the design, creating a majestic setting for entertaining or simply quiet moments at home. The dome’s golden light floods into the apartment through the large windows that frame it and as soon as you enter, your gaze is drawn to the views of it.
A beautiful marble fireplace, found in the 16th arrondissement, is located on one side of the living room. A sofa from a gallery in Brussels is elegantly paired with Felix Agostini wall lights found in New York and, on the floor, are two gilt candlesticks from a church providing a form of sacred consecration to this unique space. Baumann Fischer says, “My style is not a style. It’s contemporary, old, and sometimes somewhere between those two.” He knows what he likes and his taste goes beyond any particular style, place, or era. With a particular eye for materials and finishes, he pays attention to detail with constant precision and tact.
The character of the renovated apartment is revealed in details like the moldings and the herringbone parquet flooring, salvaged thanks to Baumann Fischer and various artisans working on the project. To enlarge the opening into this small space, the door to the main room was replaced by a wider double door, found in Rouen and adapted to the dimensions of the apartment.
