Interior Design Sense

Welcome to a beautiful turn of the century apartment decorated in a warm, cozy and tasteful Scandinavian style ! Totalizing 92 square meters (3,5 rooms), this amazing looking duplex features tall windows with deep niches, a ceiling height of 3.15 meters, renovated kitchen and an all-equipped bathroom. Add an additional floors downstairs with large windows, a vault of brick and individual entrance from the courtyard and you may get a glimpse of how living in this apartment could be like. The bottom floor(first photos) is reachable partly via a staircase from the kitchen one floor up, partly through its own entrance door from the backyard. A small staircase of oak leads you further up to a studio and a large bedroom. A charming open bedroom and an artists’ studio are the salt and pepper of this lovely crib. Check out the photos below and the plans for further details.

We’ve seen a large variety of unconventional homes on Freshome, but this is a first. Zecc Architects managed the impossible: converting a 1931 water tower in Soest, The Netherlands into a contemporary home with no less than nine levels. As you probably already imagined, many challenges came with this uncommon “home renovation”.’  According to I New Idea, light was the main issue, as the tower only had a few small windows. The solution? Inserting a three-level high window which lets light in without interfering with the tower’s mid-century appearance. All the rooms are circular and the connection between them is ensured through stairs. There is even an unconventional terrace located on the last level. Below you have the nine floor plans for a better understanding of this original and mind-blowing project.

This stylish modern furniture collection comes from Sudbrock and consists of ingenious storage ideas that can be applied to a large variety of modern interiors. However, we figured some of these minimalist designs would fit perfectly in the hallway or foyer. Seen on Trendir, the best thing about this amazing furniture set is that one can choose the items and combine them in the best possible way for his or her apartment. Consisting of an elegant mirror, tasteful wooden drawers and original shelving systems, the collection can serve as both an aesthetics-enhancement “tool” and a practical solution for storing certain objects, such and shoes and clothes. In the photos below you have a few examples of how the set can also be used as a miniature bookcase with pleasant design effects.

Scandinavian design is usually about airy and immaculate spaces, with white walls and an overall charming design. Colors are less present in the Swedish apartments we presented on Freshome lately, which is why we think you will find this particular crib original and inviting. The apartments has 2 and a half rooms and a total area of 68 square meters. The living room is the core of this appealing loft and is light and airy due to the retractable roof window and another large window facing a main street in Gothenburg. A turn of the century traditional fireplace ensures a delightful atmosphere, perfect for having family and friends over. Colorful art works enrich this main living area and add a happy tone. Next to the living room there is a spacious all-equipped kitchen and an inviting bedroom with a large bed for two. Let us know if you see any decorating details you find inspiring!

Creating a personalized space inside an apartment can mean many things, depending on the inhabitant’s needs and wishes. This is why designer paulcoudamy chose to differentiate the interior design of this Parisian apartment according to the client’s love for books and films collection. He created a unique bookcase with undulating shapes and many versatile storage spaces. Names Swollen Wall Apartment, the residence features a floor to ceiling grid inserted along two main load bearing walls: “It goes above walls, through the bedroom’s dressing and can either create a half area in the entrance, or spread on the corner walls of the office which accommodate a guest bedding under the elevated desk platform.” The 20 x 20 cm squared grid is perfect for pocket books and some are enlarged to fit speakers, A4 files, vases etc. Here and there, closed blocks act like enclosed storage spaces for a mini bar, a dressing or devices storage. Thanks to digital manipulation, the bookcase features swollen or cut areas, creating an undulating second wall in the apartment.

Your bath is your retreat from the outside world, and Duravit has a new floatation bath that is all about “the great escape.” The new Nahho musical bathtub wraps you in luxury threefold: look, feel and sound! The modern, minimalist design is simple and spa-inspired. The crisp, straight lines and cool white ceramic complement any style, and to keep the look clean and clutter-free, hardware and lighting are concealed behind a folding panel. The integrated removable headrest features organic curvature that cradles your head and neck, as your body floats weightlessly in the water. Equipped with a new sound module above and below the water, you can now add “sound” to your at-home spa experience. The optional speaker can be connected via Bluetooth to a sound system with a menu display, like your MP3 player or mobile phone, allowing you to choose and play your favorite tunes, and control volume. Check out this new musical bathtub, the Nahho floatation bath, by Duravit.

Also see this article by Apartment Therapy on more latest products by Duravit …

Hungry for more Swedish inspiration? This amazing apartment has 2 rooms and 78 square meters. The hall is generous and airy with plenty of room for the large mirror and hall furniture.’  The walls are painted in white and the floor is adorned with a dark tile right near the entrance door. As you turn right, you will find the recently renovated bathroom. The space in the kitchen turns this room into the obvious place conversation and dining. The storage is well thought out in terms of locker doors in white gloss. Cooking is made easy here by lavish mechanical equipment in stainless steel and tempered glass top work surfaces. Through the two white doors you can reach the wonderful balcony to the south. The balcony extends the kitchen and creates a place of rest and sunshine. The living room is perfect for socializing and accommodates a sofa set, a TV cabinet, a bookshelf and a comfy reading area. Have fun analyzing all the interior decorating details that make up this lovely Swedish apartment and let us know what you think.

If you’d like to send us photos to include in next week’s “pets on furniture” post, please ensure your photos follow our basic rules: First, the pet must be on a piece of furniture. And said piece of furniture must be clearly visible in the photo, so it takes center stage rather than your pet. (Think of it more of a photo of a great piece of furniture that you want to show off…and your pet happens to be sitting on it). And second, the photo must be of decent quality. If it’s dark or fuzzy (from a camera phone) then it may not make the cut. Thanks! (Photos, your name, location and a brief description can be sent to desiretoinspirekim@hotmail.com and PLEASE don’t send me closeups of your pet!)

This is our black lab Porter.  We’ve been fighting him for 9 years to stay off the furniture, but we’ve pretty much given up.  This is one of his favorite spots. 
- Carrie & Ryan

This is by far my cats’ favorite place to hang out in the apartment. The window overlooks I-90 and Lake Union in Seattle, so there is no shortage of things to look at, and facing west gives them a good amount of lazy day sun to enjoy (when we actually have sun, that is…).
- Rebecca

Our little guys name is MAX he’s an 8 year old Yorkshire terrier, and He LOVES our new Wing back!!
- Ashli

Penelope’s favorite spot in the house is our bed – she loves perching herself up at the end of the bed to watch youtube videos of other dogs on the TV. She also loves burrowing underneath the covers and finding a warm spot behind my knees. Sometimes we’ll come into the room and she has built a fort out of the pillows – and you’ll only see her eyes peeking over the top
- Jamie