Earthly Tones and Poetic Details: A Story of Apartment Renovation
When a young entrepreneur with refined taste and a clear vision of her home environment turns to our architectural firm, we always accept it as a challenge and a privilege. After successfully collaborating on the renovation of her brother's apartment, she entrusted us with the transformation of her own home – an apartment that once belonged to a former dean of the Faculty of Architecture.
This project was not just an architectural task but a story of finding a balance between the past and the present, between technical challenges and aesthetic desires. Before we entered the project, the apartment had already undergone several renovation attempts – partly with another architect and partly with her own ideas. However, the challenge proved to be too demanding, especially from a technical perspective.
Our goal was clear: to continue where the renovation had stalled and to design a space that would reflect her lifestyle while maintaining functionality and elegance. The result is a transformed 3-room apartment that combines modern functionality with refined aesthetics.
The Entrance: A Lasting First Impression
The entrance to the apartment is marked by a long row of wardrobes, one section of which is designed as an open seating niche with a blue-silver velvet-upholstered bench. This subtle yet striking color accent runs throughout the entire apartment, adding a touch of sophistication. The other end of the wardrobe features a discreetly lit display case showcasing the owner's handbags – practical "art pieces" that reflect her aesthetic preferences. The central, closed section of the wardrobe is strictly functional, intended for storing clothes and shoes, while also concealing the technical components – a large distribution cabinet for the underfloor heating system.
The Living Space: Harmony Between Division and Wholeness
The large open living space presented a challenge, as it needed to be visually divided into individual functional units for cooking, dining, relaxing (in front of the TV), and a home office, while maintaining a sense of flow between the zones into a harmonious whole.
Timeless Elegance in Earthy Tones and Natural Textures
In designing the interior, we focused on timeless elegance through earthy tones and natural textures reminiscent of coarse linen weaving. The interplay of sandy tones with muted dark brown shades, complemented by subtle pops of color, creates a harmonious whole. Accents in brass and bronze add a touch of sophistication. Our aim was to create an interior that is not just a reflection of current trends, which might fade in a few years, but a timeless space that will remain appealing well into the future.
The entire living space is tied together by a long wall adorned with wallpaper featuring a poetic scene of a flock of golden birds – an element that not only adds visual depth but also creates a sense of movement and life.
Lighting: Dynamics and Atmosphere
The lighting in the space is thoughtful and dynamic. General lighting is provided by discreet recessed fixtures with gold reflectors, adding warmth and sophistication. Decorative lighting, carefully selected for each part of the space, highlights key furniture elements and adds the finishing touch to the overall design. Artificial light adapts to the user's various needs, from intense lighting for work to a soft ambiance for relaxation.
The Bedroom and Wardrobe: Functionality with Sensory Aesthetics
The anteroom of the bedroom was transformed into a representative wardrobe that combines functionality with sensory aesthetics. One section of the wardrobe acts as a display, showcasing the owner's current favorite fashion pieces. The glass-enclosed part allows these small items to become part of everyday joy – not intended for others but to delight the owner with their beauty and meaning. The other section of the wardrobe is strictly functional but maintains the same high aesthetic standard.
In the bedroom, the concept of combining muted earthy tones and textures continues and is elevated. The sharp corner of two walls by the bed was softened with custom-designed wallpaper, creating an optical illusion and softening the hard line. The graphic motif from the living space continues here in a slightly different color variation, better suited to the nighttime and the relaxed atmosphere of the bedroom.
Lighting in the bedroom plays an important role both decoratively and functionally. It meets the need for reading while also creating aesthetic satisfaction. The minimal furniture in the bedroom is carefully selected, with small refined details that only a keen eye will notice.