A Designer’s Ever-Evolving Sanctuary
in the Suburbs of Paris
In a quiet suburb east of Paris, designer Robert Normand has transformed a neglected three-story house into a vibrant sanctuary, a dynamic fusion of color, texture, and art that reflects his lifelong curiosity and evolving aesthetic.
Just beyond the bustling heart of Paris, Robert Normand’s home emerges as a buoyan tableau of artistry and design. Each room within the three-story house contributes a distinct chapter to an ongoing narrative, where unexpected bursts of color and meticulously chosen objects create a fluid, ever-evolving masterpiece.
Robert Normand grew up outside Paris “in a large family home”, and moved to the city when he started to work as a designer of fashion, then interiors, two decades or so ago. But after many years spent living in the hyper-stimulating heart of the iconic metropolis, “I was tired of being in such a very busy place,” he says. This need for surroundings that were a touch more peaceful – plus a yen for some additional space – were Robert’s main reasons for moving to the suburbs.
Originally built as a private residence, the house had fallen into disrepair, serving as office space before Robert’s ambitious renovation. “I wanted space,” says Robert, who removed interior doors and reimagined the main floor as a series of interconnecting rooms. Seven small spaces turned into a seamless flow of light and texture, anchored by sleek oak cabinetry and sunlit dining areas.
There was no kitchen in the house when Robert purchased it due to the property having been used as offices for many years. So, completely new fitted cupboards in oak were added to the two interleading spaces that have become the new kitchen. The central hanging light fitting is the A110 “Hand Grenade” lamp by Alvar Aalto for Artek and the wooden chair is a Louis XIII piece, from the 17th century.
The kitchen, an artful blend of form and function, features floor-to-ceiling oak cupboards that conceal appliances and provide ample storage for Robert’s carefully curated collections of crockery and glassware. “Every object tells a story,” he says, a philosophy that resonates throughout the home.
Robert’s design ethos is a celebration of contrasts. Heritage features like decorative moldings are juxtaposed with contemporary elements, creating a dialogue between past and present. Vibrant mulberry blinds pair with seafoam rugs, while caramel oak cabinets exude warmth amid the bursts of unexpected hues. “It’s about bringing different moments in time together,” he explains, where styles and eras coexist harmoniously.
A lounging space with a colorful, casual and contemporary feel features built-in sofas along the walls covered in Kvadrat wool fabric, a leather lounge chair by Japanese designer Kazuhide Takahama and a vintage table lamp in brass and white Perspex by Italian artist-designer Gabriella Crespi.
“It’s about bringing different moments in time together.”
The library is situated upstairs and is Robert’s favorite space in the house; it features overflowing floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a pair of vintage Pollock armchairs, designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll in 1960. The 1960s table lamp is from Galerie Maison et Jardin.
Upstairs, the designer’s favorite space, a cozy library and office reflects his love for art, fashion, and design. Shelves brimming with books reveal his insatiable curiosity— “They are like food to me,” he says. This room epitomizes Robert’s vision for the house: a place that balances inspiration and serenity, where every detail feels alive with intention.
For Robert, this home is more than a retreat; it’s a testament to the joy of reinvention and the pursuit of beauty in everyday life.