This is a hidden gem nestled in the bustling city center, maintaining a serene oasis amidst the clamor. Located at the corner of the top floor, this old apartment boasts a spacious area of over forty pings. Sunlight pours through the three-sided windows of the unit, filling every corner of the space with changing patterns of light and shadow.
The owners are a small family consisting of a couple and their daughter. During initial discussions with the designer Marco, they expressed their desire for an old European-style open kitchen to meet the needs of the wife’s work-related photography, making the kitchen an ideal space that also functions as a studio. Marco recalls the original state of the house: the kitchen was a traditional closed layout, and the living room was only half its current size. He opened up and connected these two spaces, allowing sunlight to flow freely throughout the area. This created a rich, layered interplay of light and shadow, infusing the living and dining rooms with vitality and movement.
The overall color scheme and material choices are meticulously selected, favoring the use of natural materials such as solid wood and plaster walls over modern refined finishes. These elements, illuminated by natural light, create a relaxed and comfortable home environment. Drawing inspiration from the niches in old European houses, designer Marco incorporated this detail into the communal spaces, creating display shelves for the couple's travel collections. These shelves offer space for favorite decorations or table lamps, enhancing the flexible layering of the space. The wife’s preference for designer furniture is skillfully blended with classical styles, creating a harmonious juxtaposition of different elements. In the hallway leading to the bedroom, carefully arranged handmade ceramic wall lamps emit a warm glow, adding a cozy touch to the interior against the backdrop of plaster walls.
The design of the arched doorway subtly hints at the hidden boundaries between the living room and the dining and kitchen spaces. This natural partitioning defines the functional areas of the communal space, allowing people to seamlessly switch activities and moods between different zones, enhancing the ritualistic experience of each space. The open dining and kitchen area is framed with solid wood structures, and the horizontally arranged solid wood beams on the ceiling balance the visual disparity between the lower kitchen and the higher dining area. The rough texture of the wood is deliberately retained, showcasing the natural wood grain in the light.
Designer Marco subtly layers an enduring backdrop, seamlessly integrating the client’s cherished furniture and objects. As time passes, and with the organic arrangement of collected items, the space continues to feel fresh, developing a unique character all its own. Marco’s designs focus not only on visual aesthetics but also on the actual lived experience, crafting a serene environment where natural light and shadows create a tranquil atmosphere—a peaceful haven for the entire family.
