From the very first meeting with the client, it was clear that we were waiting for an interesting creative project. The owner of the apartment worked in a stylish office of an IT company, was inspired by traveling around the world, showed us grunge references and was ready for bold decisions. We picked up the wave and got down to business.
In the project of this apartment, we used only four natural materials — brick, concrete, metal and wood; four colors — terracotta, white, gray and black; predominantly author's items and furniture.
The first pitfall we encountered was the 2.6 meter high ceilings. Instead of space, we risked getting a crushing box, so we abandoned the wired ceiling and left it as it is — exposed concrete, on top of which the wiring was laid. So we kept the height of the ceilings and got the first decision in the decor.
The second problem — lack of daylight. The windows of the apartment face the north side, and even overlap with the neighboring house. To enhance the flow of light into the living room, we removed the standard balcony partition, made floor-to-ceiling windows and dismantled openings for passages to the loggia. The loggia was insulated, a part of household kitchen appliances was moved onto it and a small cozy office was created in it. The openings were framed with metal sheets and received a second characteristic decorative element.
The standard kitchen was abandoned immediately at the request of the owner. Instead, a hanging bar counter made of shabby, pleasant to the touch wood appeared, which we protected with a metal mesh. Metal also appeared in the frame of kitchen furniture. In addition, a metal ventilation box was used as an impromptu cover for the hood. Treating non-standard things as decor has already become our hallmark, and here this is the third characteristic decision.
At the entrance to the apartment, we placed an air cabinet through which the terracotta brickwork shines through. Immediately at the door there is a pouffe for changing shoes, above it — a familiar mesh on which you can hang coat hangers with clothes. The bottom of the closet is open for shoes.
In the bathroom style, colors and materials have been preserved. At the request of the client, we placed two bowls for washing. And according to their convictions, they took care of the right lighting. The pendants of the lamps are arranged so that the face is illuminated from both sides evenly and no distortion occurs.
The bedroom has become a room of two laconic elements — a floating bed and a functional sconce by Flos. Decorative lighting is built in above the headboard, which highlights the texture of the brick. Under the bed, it also enhances the effect of airiness.
Despite the rough metal elements, the apartment has a pleasant wooden parquet, a cozy texture of wood in the study and in the kitchen, an abundance of different light sources that create comfort. And finally, this is a place where you want to return.