The apartment that will be discussed further wasrestored specifically for rent. However, after the amazing metamorphoses that happened to it thanks to the designer Masha Zhuchkova, the owners decided to live in it for some time themselves. Despite the fact that the dimensions are quite modest, the ceilings are low, and the investment budget is small.
Meanwhile, the new look turned out to be original,stylish, spacious and cozy, with bright accents and attractive accessories. The layout is standard, the area is 58 m2, and the height is 2.5 m. According to the author of the project, the housing has not been renovated since the time of its purchase, that is, since the 70s of the last century. It, like many others, was gloomy, cramped and dirty-brown in color, and the long narrow corridor only worsened the overall perception. In general, a complete set of the post-Soviet past.
The main wish of the owners is light and spacenatural style without excess and pretentiousness. At the same time, I wanted to keep the existing furniture and use the cheapest materials possible. In order to implement the first requirement, it was decided to paint the walls white, while preserving the texture of the concrete. This technique helps to increase the level of light reflection. For the final finishing of the floor, we selected the most ordinary pine boards, which please not only with their appearance, but also with their price. Transparent varnish coating gives a matte finish and looks completely natural. This material is rarely used in urban construction, most often for private houses. Meanwhile, given the specifics of the project, the wood looks unusual, homely cozy. In the hallway and kitchen, where the load is somewhat higher, preference was given to ceramic tiles with beautiful ethnic patterns. For convenience and practical purposes, the bathroom cladding is also made of ceramics, but the most basic (small white tiles).
Housing of this type often hasa small storage room in the hallway for all sorts of junk, or rather rubbish, which has been accumulating there for years. In this case, a small nook was converted into a kind of dressing room with rods for outerwear. This move made it possible to avoid installing bulky cabinets; instead, a large mirror was mounted, adding light and depth to the space, as well as convenient shelves. The storage issue in the kitchen was solved with the help of a set, without large wall cabinets, which allowed not to reduce the already small space. A large wardrobe was used for the bedroom, accommodating everything necessary, in the living room - original hanging cabinets, a chest of drawers and light frame shelves for books and other small items.
The lighting in the apartment was simply supplemented in a smart way.The main, central sources were already there, it remains only to add local illumination of each thematic zone. All the lamps are laconic and simple in form. Thus, in the living room - these are ordinary pendants without lampshades, and in the hallway - ceiling sockets, in the kitchen - diode strips. The most noticeable and large detail is the black pendant in the hall. Due to its appearance, it brings together the entire setting and creates a sense of integrity. Considerable importance is given to mirrors, capable of additionally bringing light into the room, this trend is fully reflected in the project. They create an amazing play of shadows and colors.
The basis of the color scheme in this designThe idea was white, which serves as a universal base for further achievements. In the hallway, at the request of the customers, a few rich, sunny shades were added using orange-toned facades on the hanging shelves. The cooking area had to be in harmony with the massive and solid wooden dining table. The best combination is the matte surface of the set and the gray tabletop. Blue was chosen as a contrasting color for the room. It brings freshness and liveliness. To the rich brown-red bedside tables and backrest, the author added heavy textiles for the night curtains and light beige for everything else. In the living room, attention is focused on the green armchair and the comfortable large gray sofa. The main idea of the color scheme of the room is that, if desired, the owners can easily change the interior decoration only with the help of decorative accessories, without changing the base.
All the furniture that belonged to the ownersapartments, we tried to preserve them, and what was purchased additionally was simple, not pretentious and economically attractive. Thus, we managed to stay within the allocated budget.
Textiles and additional decor in the designThe interior decoration was used to a minimum. According to the author, he wanted to leave something unsaid, a certain incompleteness that invites the owners to further actions, allows them to fill the space with themselves. Some interesting details were preserved from the previous life of the home, for example, a table lamp, which is now located in the living room on a chest of drawers. Things were given a new life, the old and dusty lampshade was re-upholstered, and the frame was slightly updated.
According to Masha Zhuchkova, she would callthe chosen style is Scandinavian, mainly for its naturalness, high functionality, simplicity and IKEA furniture. However, its implementation was not initially set as a goal, the focus was on a European interior. There was a desire to create a spacious and bright room. The fact that this was successful is evidenced by the desire of the customers to live in the apartment themselves for some time, and not to rent it out.
Here are some tips for readers on how to bring this author's concept to life on their own:
- White walls. Such a color solution can improve even the most hopeless surfaces. To do this, it is enough to remove the old coating, and fill the strong irregularities. Thus, you get a live texture at minimal cost.
- Include wood in the finishing materials, it adds comfort, softness and naturalness to any interior.
- One should not avoid mirrors, because there is a lot of benefit from them: aesthetics, the shrinking of natural light and its play.
- For lighting, consider several options at once, and once you are in an electrical goods store, you will be able to orient yourself much more quickly, making a choice towards the most acceptable budget.
- Any storage system for a person is always small, we all have a tendency to accumulate. Therefore, do revision of things more often, do not allow littering, get rid of all unnecessary.
