The Caulaincourt apartment, reimagined by RMGB design duo Baptiste Rischmann and Guillaume Gibert, sits near Sacré Cœur and was designed for clients returning to Paris after years abroad. These figures from the fashion world wanted to reconnect with a classic Parisian atmosphere, while also reflecting their eclectic tastes and appreciation for Italian design. The project offered the opportunity to build something rooted in local architectural language without ignoring the couple’s international references.
Paris Meets Ponti
The designers kept the apartment’s historic structure intact. They carefully restored original mouldings and parquet floors before completely reworking the layout. Their approach introduced new spatial clarity while preserving Haussmannian symmetry. A range of custom furniture runs through the apartment, much of it influenced by Gio Ponti and in particular the Villa Planchart, an important visual touchpoint for the owners. RMGB created pieces such as the sculptural dining table, a carved teak headboard, and a custom desk that anchors the study.
Living Spaces That Reflect Use
In the sitting room, RMGB placed one of their own sofas, part of the studio’s first collection launching in 2025. The designers paired it with a powerful work by Malian artist Amadou Sanogo and a cedar table hand-carved in California by Dan Pollock. The combination feels lived-in yet composed.
The dining room carries a different energy. A marble table takes center stage, surrounded by Envelope dining chairs designed by Ward Bennett. A custom drinks cabinet hides a wine unit and a mobile cocktail trolley, built for practical use but designed with discretion. The kitchen follows suit, with a mohair velvet banquette shaped to mirror the curve of Pietro Chiesa’s 1950s pendant lamp overhead. Materials such as patinated steel, ebonized oak, and varnished lava stone lend subtle texture without drawing too much attention.
Everyday Function with a Designer’s Eye
The study continues the thread of Ponti’s influence. A large custom piece in teak defines the room, giving space for focused work without overwhelming the volume. RMGB preserved the room’s proportions, using the furniture to guide activity rather than dominate the space.
The main bathroom takes a warmer turn. Cement-skimmed walls and terracotta tiles create a tactile surface palette that shifts in the light. The finish feels clean but never cold. It offers visual calm without relying on uniformity.
A Bedroom with Subtle Layers
The main bedroom reads like a hotel suite, complete with an en suite bath and dressing room. The materials, gloss-finish teak, soft cotton wallpaper, and pale blue curtains, feel quiet but intentional. They reflect the client’s appreciation for Italian material references while anchoring the room in its Parisian context.
