This walnut kitchen, located in a traditional Haussmann apartment in Paris’ 9th arrondissement, was given a complete makeover by the eba Haussman team. The goal was to create a bright, open-plan living space suited to the needs of the young owners. The kitchen became the apartment’s focal point – the heart of the home where the couple could cook, host and relax.
This character-filled kitchen pairs warm walnut cabinets with simple, white walls and an elegant porcelain worktop to create a timeless space that complements the apartment’s existing architecture. The installation of the kitchen in an L-shape with a central island enabled the 9m2 to be used as efficiently as possible whilst opening up the space towards the living and dining areas.
An open-plan walnut kitchen designed to be the heart of the home
Part of the apartment’s charm lies in its traditional period features, including the high ceilings, original crown moulding, chevron parquet flooring and a marble chimney, all of which were carefully preserved. The project sought to blend the old with the new, introducing a contemporary kitchen that enhances the apartment’s original features rather than contrasting them.
The simple kitchen layout flows seamlessly into the living area, with light cabinetry leaving space for the original architecture to breathe. The horizontal lines of the shelves draw the eye towards the period chimney, crowned with a large mirror.
This design approach enabled the team to keep the space’s original identity whilst adapting it to the demands of modern life, where the kitchen, dining and living areas come together in one cohesive space.
The marriage of Vertical Earth Walnut and Silk Pearl White
Fundamental to this project is the pairing of two purposefully contrasting finishes: Vertical Earth Walnut and Silk Pearl White.
The walnut base and column units are from Santos' FINE range, with natural veining that brings visual depth to the room. The warm Vertical Earth Walnut cabinets work with the parquet flooring to create an inviting atmosphere.
By contrast, the wall units in Silk Pearl White lighten the overall composition. Their pale finish captures the natural light coming in through the large windows and helps ensure the main wall doesn’t feel visually heavy.
The colour palette, mixing white and walnut cabinets, works well with the apartment's original features. The marble of the chimney, the solid wood flooring and the crown moulding become integral elements of the design rather than simple decorative features.
The units open using a mixture of black linear handles and a mechanical push system – sleek, but still comfortable to use.
A central island that naturally structures the space
The central island is the true focal point of the room, providing a generous area for food prep, a space to sit and eat with three stools and a natural transition between the kitchen and living area.
The central island has a waterfall edge, with the 12 mm-thick XTONE Taj Mahal Silk porcelain worktop continuing down to the floor. It provides excellent resistance to daily use with mineral tones that echo natural stone. This finish also extends along the worktop for visual continuity, reinforcing the feeling of space.
Optimised storage for an ergonomic open-plan kitchen
This walnut kitchen was designed to prioritise storage space that was visually discreet.
The column units house integrated appliances whilst the base units are used to store other kitchen essentials. The built-in wine cooler fits seamlessly into the overall design without disrupting the visual balance.
Above the worktop, long shelves with built-in lighting were installed instead of wall units. The shelves help the room feel light and provide an opportunity for the display of decorative objects such as glassware and cookbooks.
The indirect lighting accentuates the high-quality materials and creates a warm glow in the evening without the need for additional lights.
A walnut kitchen designed for everyday living
This walnut kitchen was designed to be as practical as it is aesthetic, meeting the demands of everyday life. Most kitchen equipment is discreetly built into the units, keeping the walnut cabinets sleek and the space clutter-free. The layout of each area was carefully considered to support daily tasks, creating a kitchen that is as enjoyable to use as it is to look at.
But this project is about much more than creating a space to prepare food. The walnut kitchen opens onto the living room, turning it into a cohesive living space where the owners can cook, spend time together and receive guests. The L-shaped layout ensures an easy flow of movement, with the island creating a natural transition between the kitchen, dining and living spaces.
This walnut kitchen feels cohesive thanks to the careful choice of materials, high-quality finishes and discreet integration of appliances. It’s a space where functionality and aesthetics come together, reflecting the eba philosophy of creating bespoke kitchens that complement the character of each space whilst responding to the needs of those who use them.
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