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We’ve recently discovered the portofolio of those from Studio NL – Architecture and Design, and we like very much their original and modern design approach of both macro environments and micro environments. We decided to share with you one of their works, Erosion Apartment, for which they received “Bronze A’ Award Design 2013”. Nestled behind a mature lush garden, on the ground floor, this apartment is such a wonderful place to live in! Although the striking contrast between grey and white doesn’t create actually a very warm feeling when you look at it, the creative way it is designed makes you love it from the beginning.

Seeing this extraordinary result after it was completely gutted and transformed, we can’t help but wonder how it was before this convertion. The 915 sq.ft. apartment showcases a dynamic and modern environment where minimalist style is combined with industrially inspired design elements. Harmony is one of the words that defines the entire apartment’s concept and style: everything matches both in form, function and color, creating a perfect balance throughout the entire design.

The Erosion Apartment accomodates a living area connected with the dining room and the open kitchen, one bathroom and a bedroom too. Its layout distinguishes through custom architectural designs with which the architects manage to accomplish interactive perspectives, crucial for the harmony of the apartment’s space; the use of natural materials (like wood and travertine) which in combination with the neutral palette create a sober, yet still youthful, stylish and contemporary design.

The bold grey paint is used in all the rooms helping to create dimension. It gives a formality that is subtle elegance. This color is softened by plenty of natural light and  highlighted with concealed and exposed LED lighting, plus some items with industrial design. The result is  a clean and refreshing appearance. The main feature of the apartment is the hanging bookcase with a concealed work desk that really draws attention. This one of a kind, custom designed and site-built unit literally hangs from the ceiling and was made with gypsum board and metal square tubing.

It divides the passageway and the kitchen, acting on one side as bookcase and as hidden storage spaces on the other side with flat-screen LCD TV facing the kitchen and all the AV equipment for the multi-room sound system. Smartly built with high-quality materials and products, Erosion Apartment integrates white walls and simplistic volumes, exhaling openess and a peaceful atmosphere. The overall aspect is like an architectural collage achieved through various cutouts, along with the different textures in material (white brick, grey lacquer) and lighting effects.

Photos © Nancy Leivaditou

Located in the heart of Bucharest, Romania, V Apartment, which we are presenting you today, was completely transformed both in terms of design and spatial arrangement. During one year, Romanian designers from Studio 1408 manage to accomplish the design concept of this particularly splendid 150 square meters (1614 square feet) apartment. With a clean and minimalist look, softened by texture and accents of rich color, V Apartment showcases a truly modern and appealling interior that fits with the busy life in an European capital city.

Its space division was rearranged in order to satisfy the requirements of style, space and functionality and  after redevelopment, it is more adapted to the particular needs of the owner. If initially the layout of the apartment included a living room area with open kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and an office, now it displays a totally different space distribution with an entry area complete with a big storage space that cleverly separates the corridor from the living room, a living room area with open kitchen and terrace, one expansive bedroom with access to an intimate terrace, large walk-in closet, and an en-suite bathroom with a separate laundry area.

The overall aspect is characterized by simple forms and pure lines that are complimented and in the same time highlighted by the richness of the gorgeous solid wood flooring from Listone Giordano. To enlarge the feeling of the space in the apartment and ensure that it was spacious, free flowing and clutter free, designers add minimalistic furniture pieces with plenty of hidden storage solutions . The use of dark, deep colors in combination with glossy surfaces in the kitchen add character, and create an elegant and sophisticated ambience.

The concrete walls used in the living room and bedroom not only is an element that ranks high in originality here, but also contribute to a modern design with industrial accents. To create a balance in this composition and energise the apartment space distinguished by grey tone chromatic, they insert curry yellow sofas and the purple accessories in the living room and in the bedroom too.

The living room area features luxury finishes and beautiful pieces of contemporary furniture: the solid wood flooring features a handcrafted surface finish with incredible results that compliment the matte white furniture pieces in the living area, and the glossy grey ones in the kitchen. The beautiful minimalistic kitchen cabinets with concrete countertops create a clean background for the living room.

Grey tones are interestingly contrasted by bright and cheerful splashes of colors in the bedroom unit, the concrete wall and modern furniture items reinforcing the contemporary aspect of the apartment. The bathroom zone has an interesting space divizion: a central wall separates the space into three different areas and creates a focal point with the help of amazing ceramics and furniture pieces.

Photos © Studio 1408

Located in Kiev, Ukraine, this stylish 56 square meters studio apartment is perfect for one person, but can very well accommodate a couple also. Its redevelopment bear the signature of designers from Lugerin Architects, who’s aim was to create a single multifunctional space that would accommodate all living areas: a kitchen, a dining room, a bedroom and a relaxation area with a sofa, while the bathroom and toilet are designed as private areas.

Complex balance of composition, textures, color, light, the small apartment displays a cozy interior, characterised by simplicity and functionality. The renovation implied combining Scandinavian style with elements of loft and minimalism. Natural material finishes such as brick, ceramic tiling and wood ensure a genuine feel. A beautiful contrast is created by mixing white color and wood texture in furniture and the rooms’ decoration.

The exposed brick walls in combination with freshly painted white ones add character and originality to this studio apartment. Right next to the entrance door, there is a generously-sized walk-in closet, a great storage space for this type of home. The modern kitchen with lovely dining area are designed as open spaces, being practically in the same area with the living room, which accommodate also the bedroom.

The latter has an isolated character. A freestanding floor-to-ceiling furniture with bookcase from one side and glass sliding partition from other side separate the bedroom from the kitchen zone. In this way, the bedroom is more intimate and tranquil. Large windows ensures plenty of natural light, which make the place feel bigger than usual. We love the comfortable and relaxing feel the Scandinavian ambience give us through an inspiring use of neutral colors and decorating elements.

Photos © Lugerin Architects

The love for wood of Hungarian ceramic designer Laszlo Tompa is amazingly translated into gorgeous decoration objects with creative design, that would compliment any mondern and elegant interior design. His detailed work with fascinating results draw our attention inevitably, evidence of that being these charming range of flower-shaped lampshades which he entitled “Flower Lamps”.

Inspired by the beauty that surrounds us, the collection is elegant, original, and each of its items hand-carved in solid cherry wood is unique. Don’t believe us? Just look at the lovely pictures below that really show Hungarian tile designer has a real eye for beauty.

Like in his previous works, these hanging lamps consisting of wood turned elements are powerful abstract objects. They feature a basic structure which are more like hexagonal and pentagonal pyramids covered with different matching geometric ornaments. Expressive and very appealing, “Flower Lamps” mix the traditional aesthetics of wood with light and a fluid sculptural form, creating an impressive visual effect. Their design isn’t transparent and the lighthing is locally, downward. Very artistically done, isn’t it?! Would you decorate with such wooden lampshade designs?

Photos © Laszlo Tompa