When Melissa and her husband Damien decided to move to Paris for a life adventure, a gut renovation was the last thing on their minds. Yet eighteen months later, they’re living in their dream apartment in one of the city’s trendiest neighborhoods—and they couldn’t be happier about the journey that got them there.

A Life Adventure Begins

Melissa, a speech therapist from New York, never imagined herself taking on a renovation project in France. After 14 years together in the United States, she and Damien—a French citizen who’d spent most of his adult life in the UK and  U.S. —were ready for something different.

“We had begun talking about what our next adventures would look like,” Melissa explains. “Since we don’t have kids, we were flexible with our options. Damien had never lived in France as an adult, even though he’s French  so we just thought—why not? Let’s do this as a life adventure.”

But there was one firm rule about any apartment purchase: no renovations.

“We specifically said we did not want to get into renovation,” Melissa laughs. “It’s not something we’d ever done before, and in France, that just seemed really intimidating.”

Finding the Unexpected

Even before their move, Melissa and Damien connected with Jennifer from Paris Property Group to start exploring their options. When they planned a research trip to Paris in the Fall of 2023, Jennifer was already working with them, understanding their needs and preparing to show them the city’s possibilities.

Jennifer listened carefully to what they wanted: a lively neighborhood full of bars and restaurants, diverse energy, somewhere that felt vibrant and alive—like New York’s West Village, but in Paris. She immediately knew where to take them.

“Jennifer showed us the 11th arrondissement, near Oberkampf,” Melissa recalls. “Many American tourists don’t know this area—they often gravitate to  the Marais or Saint-Germain. But when we tell any French person where we live, they’re like, ‘Oh my God, that’s the coolest area.’ It’s exactly our vibe.”

Then came the property that would change everything.

“Jennifer showed us this apartment just to get a feel for the area and apartment styles.She actually wasn’t introducing   it as a real suggestion because she knew we didn’t want to get into renovations,” Melissa says. “But when we walked in, even though it needed a complete gut renovation because it hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, we both just… saw it. We saw what it could be.” The bones were good, the location was perfect, and the price reflected its renovation needs. But although Melissa and Damien were both in love with the apartment, they were scared. 

Pre-renovation photos

The Turning Point

What seemed like an overwhelming challenge became manageable thanks to Jennifer’s network and expertise.

“Jennifer connected us with our notary, our finance person, and all the resources we needed,” Melissa emphasizes. “They all know each other, and they’ve been working with each other a long time. They kind of had it figured out, had set it all up. It was so turnkey for us.”

Before committing, Jennifer introduced them to architects to understand what a renovation would actually entail. They met with Architect Anne Steichen. While Anne was born in Luxembourg, speaks fluent French and has practiced as an architect almost entirely in Paris, she was raised in and attended college and graduate school in the US, making her the perfect bridge between cultures.   

“Anne really listened to what we wanted, but she also challenged us and brought her own ideas,” Melissa says. “She thinks about how you actually live in a space: Where would I put my coat when I enter? Where does the bathroom door make sense? She was really a partner. We were like besties, going shopping and figuring it out together.”

That partnership sealed the deal. On January 9th, 2024, they closed on the apartment. On the next day the walls were coming down.

The Transformation

The renovation transformed three separate rooms into one stunning open-concept living space—a “great room” with kitchen, dining, and living areas all flowing together. They relocated the kitchen entirely, reimagined the layout, and created a home that perfectly balanced their needs as a couple who loves to entertain.

“We made our bedroom smaller to give more space to the main living area, because that’s where we spend our time,” Melissa explains. “We wanted that wow effect when you walk through the hallway and suddenly you’re in this big, open space.”

The process that Melissa had dreaded turned out to be unexpectedly smooth.

“We were so lucky—it was almost too smooth, it’s bizarre,” she admits. “We didn’t have any of the nightmares that are usually so common with renovation. Anne was amazing. The contractor was incredible. The kitchen designer was fantastic. We had such a great experience.”

When they first committed to the renovation, Melissa wasn’t certain she’d be in Paris during the construction. Anne had extensive experience managing renovations remotely for clients abroad, which gave Melissa peace of mind. As it turned out, Damien’s job started right when they closed on the apartment, so they moved to Paris in January and Melissa chose to be deeply hands-on throughout the process. She attended every appointment, visited the site regularly, and worked directly with the contractors—an experience that not only shaped her home but also accelerated her French language skills and deepened her connection to her new city.

“The junior contractor, Salem, told me that when we first started working together in February, he could hardly understand me. By December, we were having real conversations,” she says proudly. “The renovation actually helped me integrate into Paris life.”

A Home That Reflects Them

Six months after demolition began, the major work was complete. But what makes Melissa most proud isn’t just the beautiful result—it’s that she and Damien were part of the process.

“It was a team effort,” Melissa reflects. “I went to every appointment, every shop. We picked the tile together, we chose the lighting, we selected the kitchen finishes. That’s why I’m proud of it. It feels like our home because we made it happen together.”

The wallpaper in their guest bedroom? Melissa spotted it on her way out of the shop—an impulse find that Anne helped them integrate perfectly. The bathroom tile? She chose it before they even closed on the apartment.

“We wanted it to feel lived-in, not like a showroom,” she says. “And it does. It’s exactly what we wanted.”

Living the Paris Dream

Today, Melissa and Damien are thriving in their 11th arrondissement neighborhood. They’re regulars at local restaurants featuring up-and-coming chefs, they enjoy the area’s lively energy, and they’ve built a community in their new city.

“People always ask us, ‘How the hell did you do this?'” Melissa laughs. “And we tell them: it’s not an inexpensive experience, but it’s worth it. Paris Property Group made everything seamless.”

When asked what advice she’d give to others considering a similar journey, Melissa is thoughtful.

“We were hesitant to take on a renovation, and honestly, if we’d tried to do it on our own, it would have been overwhelming,” she says. “But Jennifer connected us with amazing professionals who made it feel manageable. They all worked together like a well-oiled machine. That’s what made the difference.”

She pauses, then adds with a smile: “Also, don’t be afraid to change your mind. We walked in saying ‘no renovations,’ and now we have this incredible space that’s exactly what we wanted.”

Interested in making your own Paris property dreams a reality? Whether you’re looking for a move-in ready apartment or ready to tackle a renovation project, Paris Property Group can guide you through every step of the journey. Contact us to start your Paris adventure.