Apartament with a Cat

Concept

The design of this apartment covered all stages (except cost estimation), starting with a developer-finished unit with a very unusual layout.

Upon entering the apartment, you find yourself in a long, narrow hallway. At the end of this corridor is the living room, a separate kitchen, and a study, which is unfortunately accessed through the kitchen.

In my conceptual work, I focused on the hallway space that welcomes both residents and guests, aiming to bring in as much light as possible and add charm to the area.

This led to the idea of mirrors on the ceiling to enhance brightness and create a sense of spaciousness, along with glass doors that allow sunlight to enter this narrow passage.

Another key aspect was the kitchen with its passage to the study and the challenge of arranging this space in the most visually appealing way.

The clients dreamed of a space reminiscent of French cafés, so I used this unremarkable passage to create such an atmosphere. A cast-iron table with yellow chairs is positioned by a window fitted with shutters, evoking the feeling of a small Parisian street corner.

Materials

The materials and colors used in this interior were chosen to add warmth, ambiance, and elegance.

We opted for darker wood flooring, decorative moldings, and stone-textured tiles without bold patterns. Only the thick, strong stripes on the bathroom and dressing room floors were intended to add a touch of drama.

The color palette of the interior was based on cool gray walls, contrasted with warm brown wood and brick, along with navy blue, muted blue, and black.

Brick, a concrete wall in the bedroom, and loft-style lighting in the kitchen and study were intended to balance the sophistication of this elegant interior with a modern and relaxed feel.

Furniture and Lighting

Both the furniture and lighting are a mix of minimalism, modernity, and classic elements. This deliberate eclecticism created a balance between refined elegance and the clients’ casual, pragmatic approach to their living space.

Artwork and Decorations

It is rare for me to have the opportunity to select almost all the artwork for an interior I design. I consider this both a great privilege and a responsibility. In this case, I chose paintings and photographs at the final stage of the project, but not all the works that would eventually adorn the apartment had been selected yet.

A few years later, the clients asked me to help commission a painting of their cat, which was placed in the dining area by the table.

Ten years after the completion of this project, we selected additional artwork—this time for the bedroom, hallway, and study.

Summary

As it turned out after a decade, the interiors of this apartment have stood the test of time, and the clients are so satisfied with the functional and color choices that the next renovation was only meant to refresh the walls, add lighting (replacing the living room chandelier), introduce new artwork, and add a small console table with a chair for occasional work.

This project also showed me how important the quality of materials is in interior design. Everything that was purchased still looks as good as new. This applies to the faucets, bathroom ceramics, flooring, and woodwork.