The biggest challenges for a designer can involve the smallest spaces; in
this 45 square metre studio apartment the brief was to make the living
room as open and light as possible while incorporating a good volume of
storage space. The kitchen had to be kept separate and the whole should
have a "neo classical atmosphere". The studio is well sited, being a
penthouse facing South and looking out over large gardens. We wanted to
reflect this light with mirrors right into the back of the room.
The living room floor is in solid oak parquet; a large wardrobe cupboard
hides an awkward corner and another cupboard provides storage in the
dining area while hiding ugly beams and a column behind a false door. All
cupboard doors are mirrored to open out the space and to give views of the
terrace from all over the room. Granite tiles, laid flush with the
parquet, protect the area in front of the fireplace and also help to
rebalance the wall, distracting the eye from the asymmetric fireplace.
The kitchen has large granite tiles on the floor and on the walls. The
ceiling was lowered slightly to incorporate lighting and further lighting
is built into the wall cabinets. A water heater had to be accommodated
into a corner cupboard and the surrounding cupboards are removable for
easy access for servicing.
The bathroom has a large shower, walls tiled with travertine and plenty of
cupboard space against the exterior wall which also insulates the room
against the cold in winter. An extractor fan is hidden behind grilles in
the cupboard.
