A fashion designer transforms a former garage into a stunning town house At home in the Butte Bergeyre in Paris’s 19th arrondissement with Olivia Cognet

The creator of Apologie shoes, Olivia Cognet, brings new life to a former garage in which vintage furniture and contemporary accents make for a warm and quirky interior.

Why did you choose this place? What was it you fell in love with?

When my husband and I decided to buy an apartment, I’d really had enough of central Paris…
We wanted somewhere green, we wanted a terrace, a house, and a neighbourhood with some warmth and charm that would remind us of the towns in the south of France where we grew up.
The challenge was finding something with character and a terrace within the city itself…
We were the first people to view this house when it went on sale and we fell in love with it immediately. That said, we had to redo the whole house, but we enjoyed the process!
We created the terrace from what had been a parking space open onto the street and redecorated the whole place from floor to ceiling, starting with a blank slate, just a dream really, which is the perfect way of doing it.

Fifties-style sideboard

A former garage converted into a 75m2 townhouse – Paris, 19th. arrondissement

Staircase to the first floor

Fifties style furniture

Circular table with a rosewood pattern

Is it you who decorated the apartment? Can you also tell us something about your shoe brand, Apologie?

Yes, I did the decorating myself and in a very personal style because we were expecting to live here for a while… But life is full of surprises!
Apologie is a brand of shoes I created 3 years ago. The idea was for something playful, maybe mischievous, that would reinvent classic styles to inject a bit more fun. I think the shoes are affordable and feminine and attractive too.

What are your sources of design inspiration?

Obviously the Fifties, Californian style and the work of Fornassetti (which are sort of opposites!), and things that are practical and really work for our busy lifestyles. A great trip or a good exhibition can be inspiring too.

Master bedroom – Rue Georges Lardennois, Paris 19th

Wallpaper: Fornassetti

Where do you shop for things for the house

In the flea markets for the most part and especially the St-Ouen flea market. You have to bargain, but you get there in the end!

What are your favorite things in the apartment?

The staircase covered in Fornassetti wallpaper, which is like going on a journey every time I go upstairs.
The circular table with the rosewood pattern.
The ever-so retro floor lamp in the bedroom!

How about your favorite room in the house?

The kitchen-dining room where we have all our meals and our best parties.
In summer we open the French doors and let the outdoors in…
We’re lucky enough to catch the sun at the right time for an aperitif and I really love sipping a drink and enjoying something my husband has just cooked (he’s a genius in the kitchen!).

28 m2 terrace

View of the Butte Bergeyre

Kitchen/dining room

What is it you like particulary about this neighbourhood?

The Butte Bergeyre itself, it’s like a little bit of the countryside in Paris, somewhere where people say hello to one another, know one another, really a village atmosphere.
The view from the top is stunning too: the [church of] Sacré-Cœur as you’ve never seen it… the neighbourhood is like a well-kept secret, which is kind of nice too!
Something else that’s great is being so close to the Buttes Chaumont park, which you can never tire of: the park itself is so beautiful, there’s jogging, the Rosa Bonheur bar, it’s Paris at its best!
The food shops in the neighbourhood are incredible too! Our favourite butchers and Italian delicatessen is in the Rue de Meaux. Everything is fresh and delicious.

Olivia Cognet’s recommendations