There is something comforting in a thought “This is what everyone does”. Normal is good.
Yes, in many cases, a standard thing to do, is also a good thing to do. But that rule doesn’t really apply to interior design.
And we are not just saying that. We have an amazing, the most wonderful example for you today. The one that will make you rethink everything you thought was a good, normal thing to do in your apartment.
This old apartment is turned into an open and spacious home, carefully designed to the last detail.
Bookshelf position
Who knew there’s a way to place a bookshelf in front of a window? Look at this!
The design of the bookshelf did the magic. It is made of extremely thin shelves combined with slender columns which replaced standard vertical surfaces of a common bookshelf. We love how subtle it is.
Also, notice how the bookshelf creates a place for curtains. Think about it. One part of this window has to be covered with curtains. Thanks to the bookshelf, it is not a random part, but a specified one.
This amazing nook is a small, yet fully functional home library. The calm atmosphere is achieved with more than enough daylight (but also its own pendant lamp for task lighting), a place to casually sit while reading, and even greenery. It feels like an outdoor space – inside of the apartment.
Outdoor kitchen and dining area
What also caught our eye, is the indoor space – outside.
See how kitchen and dining area continue to the balcony? Even though they are not directly physically connected, the idea is very clear.
And it makes perfect sense because depending on the weather conditions, you’ll cook and eat either inside or outside, there’s really no need to go from indoor dining area to the outdoor dining area.
The two spaces are read as equally important. Usually, there would be different, “outdoor” furniture on the balcony. The balcony would be designed as an independent space (or wouldn’t be designed at all). Isn’t that odd?
The outdoor space is present in the interior through the windows. They are visually connected. Yet somehow, it is more common to design the bedroom to match the living room, even though you don’t even see the bedroom from the living room – they could be completely different, and it probably wouldn’t even matter. This is very important fact if you’re thinking about apartment remodel but don’t know where to start because everything has to be renovated. Remodeling in phases, doing one room at the time is actually a good idea.
When you see an apartment like this one, it becomes clear that outdoor space is a part of the kitchen/dining room/living room. It is not apart from them. And in this way, outdoor space really becomes an extension of the interior.
TV placed in the middle of the room
This solution maybe isn’t for everyone, but hear us out. We always say while designing your own apartment, you shouldn’t think about how to arrange your furniture, but how will you use your space.
See how the TV brought the focus into the middle of the room? Try to imagine a group of people in this living room. Even those watching the television would be able to connect with someone who’s in the kitchen, or around a dining table, or even in the library nook. When done right, architecture has the power to direct people’s behavior simply by enabling activities. This simple idea is such an amazing way to convince residents and guests to talk to each other.
But remember that context is important. This pole on which TV is mounted belongs in this space. Everything else is designed in a way that allows this creative decision. What we’re trying to say is that a black pole made of steel probably wouldn’t look as good in a shabby chic apartment.
A wide hallway
Hallways are considered to be a waste of space. Sometimes, they really are too big and useless. But they don’t have to be.
Built-in closets on the both sides of the hallway are our favorite storage solution. And don’t you just love how the home office occupied the empty space? It seems so calm without being introverted.
Actually, the apartment is filled with beautifully designed built-in furniture, like closets with open shelves and niches as nightstands.
Tiles on the ceiling
We are in love with these bathrooms. Small bathrooms are something we are always exploring, but these two are out of this world. Tiles on the shower ceiling are only one of many awesome details, but the way it separates the shower area as one independent little space is just so cool.
If you read one of our posts dedicated to apartment interiors we love, you probably know we are obsessed with creative ideas combined with beautiful details. And that’s exactly what we see in every photograph of this apartment. We didn’t even start talking about lighting design, color palette or furniture selection. We wanted to give you the opportunity to go through this gallery and discover those elements on your own.
And also, we wanted to convince you that designing an interior in an unusual, but still logical way, with a clean concept in your mind, can have an amazing outcome.
Design: Maayan Zusman & Amir Navon
Mentored design graduate: Eilat Dar
Location: Tel Aviv
Floor Area 95m²
Completed: 2016
Photographer: © 181 Architecture photography
PHOTO GALLERY:
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