When she first inherited the apartment from her father, everyone around her laughed or shrugged. People said it was hopeless, an eyesore, a space that would never be worth saving. Some even advised her to sell it right away and start fresh somewhere else. But she had other plans. As a furniture designer with a passion for transformation, she saw potential where others only saw peeling walls and broken floors.
Her father had been an architect, and while he had begun some renovations, much of the apartment remained unfinished and outdated. Wanting to create something entirely her own, she decided to start from scratch. With the help of an interior designer, she began the journey of turning the neglected apartment into a space filled with beauty, comfort, and thoughtful design.
The renovation began with a full redevelopment. A hallway was extended into the living room, and the kitchen entrance was moved for better flow. Instead of playing it safe with neutral colors in the small space, the designer went bold—painting both the walls and ceiling in a deep, rich green. Wood-look tile was chosen for the floors in this section, adding warmth and texture.
By the entrance, they added a functional area with a bench, a shoe rack, and an open coat hanger. A built-in cabinet included a special tray for the cat. The living room received a light palette, with herringbone parquet flooring and soft, inviting furnishings. A dining set with vintage chairs was placed near the window.
Since the apartment used gas, a partition with a door was added to separate the kitchen from the living area. A custom corner kitchen made efficient use of the compact space. The cabinets were painted a calm gray, while the backsplash tiles in mint green brought a vibrant accent to the room. The fridge was cleverly tucked into the spot where a passage once stood.
The bedroom was transformed into a serene and cozy retreat. Green wallpaper was chosen for the walls, with a floral pattern on the accent wall, framed by decorative panels. A bed with soft pink upholstery complemented the palette, and a chest of drawers with a large mirror was placed by the window.
Needing a functional home office, she turned one of the rooms into a dual-purpose space. Near the entrance was a small lounge area, while closer to the window stood her work zone. They used wall colors to visually divide the space—green for relaxation, white for focus and productivity.
Rather than combining the bathroom and toilet, they chose to keep them separate for practicality. By adjusting the layout, they managed to extend the corridor area into the bathroom, creating enough room for a washing machine. The walls were finished with white rectangular tiles and moisture-resistant pink paint, giving the space a clean yet playful look.
What was once a forgotten, crumbling apartment is now a modern, elegant home—proof that with vision and determination, even the most unlikely spaces can be transformed.