Houzz Tour: Smart Design reinvents a Compact Urban - apartment Now based in Dublin, Dana Kallo Black Fox Interiors is from Romania. The redesign of this compact apartment in northern Bucharest was the last project, she addressed before moving. The owners had chosen for its location rather than its appearance, and it badly needed updating and improvement. "We came u p with a design that would accommodate a young family in need of a functional home, with lots of storage and an extra room ," she said. "Despite a small budget, we have created a pleasant and functional place, using local craftsmen to build custom furniture that makes use of every bit of space." And now the apartment is full of great solutions for small-space living who would work in many homes.
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Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here a family with a baby and young son
Location Bucharest, Romania
property an apartment in a building built in the 1980s
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Dimensions Less than 55m m
Designers Dana Kallo at Black Fox Interiors
This small one bedroom apartment has been cleverly transformed into a two-bedroom home for a young family expecting their first child. The lounge is now open multifunctional space with a kitchen and dining room, while the old kitchen became a small but comfortable room. " With the baby in mind, we tried to keep the room as clean as possible," said Kallo. "So all the furniture was designed to circle the walls, leaving plenty of free space in the medium. "
Who lives here a family with a baby and young son
Location Bucharest, Romania
property an apartment in a building built in the 1980s
Size 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Dimensions Less than 55m m
Designers Dana Kallo at Black Fox Interiors
This small one bedroom apartment has been cleverly transformed into a two-bedroom home for a young family expecting their first child. The lounge is now open multifunctional space with a kitchen and dining room, while the old kitchen became a small but comfortable room. " With the baby in mind, we tried to keep the room as clean as possible," said Kallo. "So all the furniture was designed to circle the walls, leaving plenty of free space in the medium. "
before photo
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"the apartment was lived before customers bought, so there were visible traces of time and use," says Kallo . "Since it was built so long ago, electrical and plumbing systems had to be replaced and adapted to the modern equipment and devices."
This is how the room looked a once Kallo and his team had emptied it. "the hardwood floor was in very bad condition and had to be replaced, and at the end of all interior finishes should be renewed," she said.
This is how the room looked a once Kallo and his team had emptied it. "the hardwood floor was in very bad condition and had to be replaced, and at the end of all interior finishes should be renewed," she said.
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"L one of the most important interventions was redesigning the living room as an open space that includes a relaxation area with a sofa, generous cut, a kitchenette and a dining room, "says Kallo. "In short, the new show has become the focal point of the apartment."
The sofa came from a local retailer. "The main idea was that it was L-shaped, to create a large number of seats and also the seating area, dividing some of the dining table," says Kallo.
The sofa came from a local retailer. "The main idea was that it was L-shaped, to create a large number of seats and also the seating area, dividing some of the dining table," says Kallo.
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another key the change was to transform the old kitchen into a master bedroom with walk-in dressing room. colorful wallpaper brings personality to the space, while the large custom horizontal mirror helps to strengthen the levels of light and to increase the sense of space.
the pipes in the bed are still in service and had to stay. "They were white," says Kallo. "We thought, we can not hide, so let us be playful with them and paint them a bright color. "
Kaleido wallpaper, Eijffinger.
the pipes in the bed are still in service and had to stay. "They were white," says Kallo. "We thought, we can not hide, so let us be playful with them and paint them a bright color. "
Kaleido wallpaper, Eijffinger.
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the first major change was to move all the plumbing that ran between the old kitchen and living room. "He ran into this wall of separation," says Kallo. "We were lucky that we just had to move the access to the pipe points, but kept the pipes in the same position. If we had to move them completely would have required a lot of permits and authorization and would have complicated the project. "
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the next step was to create extra storage space for various items used rarely, including some out-of clothes and books -Season. "The main bed is designed to sit on a raised floor to create a repository for the vast collection of owners of books," says Kallo. "The mattress was placed directly on top of the raised floor to amplify the space in the room. "
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the raised floor in the master bedroom also has boxes designed within areas under and around the bed are easily accessible by lifting different covers.
the dos and don'ts make planning a small room
the dos and don'ts make planning a small room
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"We worked with a local carpenter who did most of the furniture around the house, including kitchen units, living units, the wardrobe in the baby's room and hallway storage, "says Kallo. "These pieces are all of our designs, created so that every little corner is used to its full potential."
A projector was installed in the ceiling above the couch working with a screen mounted on the wall next to the door. "It was a special request from the owners and because the piece is long enough, there is a distance between the projector and the screen so that it works," says Kallo.
A projector was installed in the ceiling above the couch working with a screen mounted on the wall next to the door. "It was a special request from the owners and because the piece is long enough, there is a distance between the projector and the screen so that it works," says Kallo.
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In the kitchen, all appliances have been integrated and the backsplash has been created with a patterned glass. "In recent years, many young Romanian couples have got back into the idea of cooking and traditional meals at home instead of eating out," says Kallo. "It was very important giving the owners all the equipment they need. "they have an oven, microwave, a large sink, hob, extractor and fridge freezer.
10 small details to make your kitchen sing
10 small details to make your kitchen sing
Before Photo
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the original balcony was adjacent to the old kitchen was converted into a dressing room off the master bedroom.
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In the first balcony , Kallo installed a modular storage structure open shelf to create a spacious dressing room. "Instead of doors, we used airy white curtains to hide the structure and preserve the beautiful natural light coming into the room through the large windows of the balcony," says Kallo.
Stolmen storage system, Ikea.
Stolmen storage system, Ikea.
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Here you can see clearly how the gauzy white curtains gently hiding the wardrobe area.
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The same flowing white curtains are used to subtly hide the shelves on the wall opposite the bed "We have improved the modular shelving system by adding an articulated work plan which can be used like a small laptop desk or vanity table," says Kallo.
Algot shelving system, Ikea.
Algot shelving system, Ikea.
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existing room the apartment was redesigned to owners of the baby. Pops of color, nice wallpaper by the bed and a large wardrobe are key, so that the room is colorful playful but also functional. the sofa bed (just seen) was recycled from the former home of the owners and placed near the bed for convenience. "Recently, we were very pleased that, two years after the design of the apartment, the owners have made contact again ask us to prepare the room for the arrival of a second baby! ", says Kallo.
Backyard Friends stickers for children Hits collection, Eijffinger.
Backyard Friends stickers for children Hits collection, Eijffinger.
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Completely renovated, the bathroom has new sanitaryware, tiles and floor. "We designed a large mirror closet where clients store any towels for makeup," says Kallo.
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in addition to storage, the shower wall has three alcoves covered in mosaic, where more amenities can be stored nearby.
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Lots of storage space was designed to go into the hallway. "All cleaners, ironing board, linen closet, bags and luggage, winter clothing and other small useful items for the home were brought here," said Kallo. The unit near the door bathroom at the end welcomes the washing machine and dryer.
Kallo worked in mirrors for most rooms, to help stimulate the sense of space and hide part of the storage. "This one in the hallway is the only full-length mirror in the apartment," she said. "It is useful for a last look before going out!"
Centigrad ceiling with stains, both Ikea.
Kallo worked in mirrors for most rooms, to help stimulate the sense of space and hide part of the storage. "This one in the hallway is the only full-length mirror in the apartment," she said. "It is useful for a last look before going out!"
Centigrad ceiling with stains, both Ikea.
Before Photo
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This is the entrance hall, before it is fitted customized storage and decorated.
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Modernising apartment, replace all the gas and electricity and custom furniture appropriate to make the most of the space has taken most of the budget. "We then tried to find cheap furniture that would complement the space, but whose owners could replace in the future for something bigger or better!", Says Kallo.
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Inspired by this compact house? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Tell us ...
Inspired by this compact house? Share your thoughts in the comments below.