Interior design ideas: the perfect city bolthole - in pictures

House-hunting in Paris is notoriously difficult: historic, well-proportioned buildings that make up that romantic notion of the French capital are understandably in high demand. So when yoga teacher Alissa found this compact, top-floor chambre de bonne, she was more than prepared to overlook some of its faults – not least the five flights of stairs to get to it, and no lift – due to its wonderful location. Alissa found the apartment in Abbesses, an artistic neighbourhood just below Montmartre. In these narrow, cobbled streets, linked by steep steps and winding alleyways, the vibe is villagey and bohemian, with artists’ studios and galleries as common as bars and cafes. Looking for an authentically Parisien pied-à-terre, Alissa realised as soon as she viewed the flat that it was something special. Photograph: Nicolas Mathéus

Two sofas put together create a space large enough for lounging or sleeping; the cushions are from Ferm Living and La Redoute’s AM-PM. Photograph: Nicolas Mathéus

The 40 sq m apartment had once been three attic bedrooms of a typical Haussmann-style apartment building. Although the rooms had already been converted into a separate space, it felt much more cramped and unloved than it does today. However, the flat also had plenty of those details that define French apartment living, not least full-length windows opening on to a balcony; there was also an original fireplace and exposed vertical beams between the kitchen and living spaces. But a low ceiling and cramped layout meant it stopped far short of being a dream retreat. Alissa approached two friends, Flora Gastines and Anne Geistdoerfer, who work as architects Double G, to work on the refurbishment with her, and together they have transformed the space. Photograph: Nicolas Mathéus

A basic Ikea Abstrakt kitchen in black forms the basis of the scheme, with stainless steel open shelving above to stop the room from feeling too enclosed. The raised ceiling allowed for skylights to be fitted, letting more light flood into the kitchen. The floor has been given a semi-industrial effect that looks like concrete. Photograph: Nicolas Mathéus

With windows on three sides, including one offering a picture-perfect view of the Eiffel Tower, the flat was never dark, but the beams between kitchen and living room, and the addition of frosted-glass doors between the kitchen and a vestibule leading to the bathroom, mean that light now flows right through the space. Photograph: Nicolas Mathéus

To add cosiness, the wall behind the bed is covered in textured white paper – try traceytubb.co.uk for similar. The bedlinen is from AM-PM and the pendant by Norway Says for Muuto. Photograph: Nicolas Mathéus