LA MAISON ROSE
Originally from South America, Gebsy, Esteban and their two children swapped their apartment in the Paris suburbs for a bucolic house in l’Etang-la-Ville, opting for calm and serenity at the gateway to Paris. After years of searching, they fell in love with this pink house, a warm, modern family home that immediately appealed to the couple.
Freshly renovated by ARCHIK in collaboration with interior designer Baptiste Legué, this house offers generous volumes opening onto the garden, beautiful natural materials and obvious charm. The family’s day-to-day life is now governed by the play of light and the passing seasons.
To accompany them in their life project, the couple called on ARCHIK, orchestrating the sale of their apartment on the one hand, and the purchase of this turnkey house on the other, with millimeter timing.
One year on, we tell you their story ARCHIK & Vous.
G – We were living in an apartment in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, in a 1970s residence, and had been wanting to move to a house with a garden for a long time. We started looking, but couldn’t find what we were looking for.
Last September, a year ago, Esteban found the ad for this house and sent it to me. Admittedly, a little small. But it was beautiful, and above all, it didn’t need any work. We couldn’t pass it up – we had to see it! And from the moment we walked through the door… we loved it. The charm was there.
E – There were 2 « Wow » effects : when we went through the gate and discovered the garden and the look of the house, with its contemporary extension. And when we walked through the front door, because we’d never have come up with these ideas, these finishes, these materials, if we’d done the work ourselves. What also made the difference was that, unlike other houses we’d seen, the staging with the furniture and artwork allowed us to project ourselves.
G – I always said « I don’t want a pink house » (laughs) and now I love it. Even though the house has a lot of personality, it’s pretty easy to get used to, and it’s a good match for us. It’s modern and very warm at the same time, and the materials chosen are timeless.
« What also made the difference was that unlike other homes we’d seen, the staging with the furniture and artwork allowed us to project ourselves. »
E – We were a little worried because we had to sell our flat in order to buy the house. Raphaëlle was able to reassure us and guide us through this dual project. We entrusted the sale of our flat to ARCHIK and the timing was perfect. We signed both deeds of sale on the same day, the flat in the morning and the house in the afternoon. It was ideal.
What I liked about ARCHIK was the way they staged both the house and our flat, with unusual photos compared to what we’re used to seeing, and a very well researched text, right down to the name chosen : « ÉBÈNE ».
G – There are lots of agencies in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, and we’d already seen several of them for the valuation of the flat. But as ARCHIK was the agency through which we’d found our dream house, it was obvious that we’d work together to sell our property! And right from the first visit the buyers made an offer at the right price. Raphaëlle was very professional, she put the advert up on the Friday and called us on the Saturday for the first visit, and that was the only visitor!
I also really liked the advert for the flat, with its beautiful photos and great text. When we saw our flat advertised so well, we thought we’d never want to sell it again! (laughs). I think that contributed to the rapid sale of the flat.
E – Yes, we knew even before we moved in where our furniture would go, and especially where our paintings would fit. What we’d really like to treat ourselves to are the lighting fixtures that graced the house at the time of our visit: two superb blown-glass pendant lights by Atelier George, and the beautiful ONDE(S) leather edition by ARCHIK, perfect above the dining table. Everything else we had, and it worked in this house.
G – It’s proof that the house was a perfect fit for us. Naturally, everything found its place. We quickly found our bearings.
E – The garden! The kids really enjoy the outdoors. We’ve installed soccer cages and a barbecue. It’s a great place to spend time with family and friends.We lived outside all summer long, in the garden or on the terrace, with the French windows of the living room bay open all the time. And we discovered some wonderful surprises as the seasons progressed: a cherry tree, strawberry plants, a hazelnut tree, hedgehogs, squirrels… life in nature just outside Paris! And there was also a wonderful play of light.
G – The garden! The kids really enjoy the outdoors. We’ve installed soccer cages and a barbecue. It’s a great place to spend time with family and friends.
THE 3 FETISHES
THE ROOM IN THE HOUSE
Our bedroom, the master suite with its travertine bathroom, feels like a hotel suite, with no doors to open. The room overlooks the garden, and the large bay lets in light from the West, which is very pleasant at the end of the day.
THE OBJET
Our paintings, they all have a story. One of them was done by a Venezuelan painter, a great master, who represents my home town, Caracas. My father gave it to me as a present, and I like it very much, it reminds me a little of home.
THE ADDRESS
L’Etang-la-Ville is great, with the train station right next door and a cute little town center. But the best place is in the forest, where we pick wild blackberries. I’m a pastry chef for Parisian palaces, so I use fruit from the Etang-la-Ville forest in my creations.