Turning an old family apartment into a spacious, bright, and modern home.
'"For me, this is a very special project because the owner is an extremely close friend of mine and the challenge was really great. But the satisfaction that both of us felt after completing the project and seeing the fruit of our joint efforts was indescribable.
First, to observe his happiness from the transformation of a space that he has known his whole life in his own place, and then to experience myself, as just a guest, the comfort and atmosphere that we have created. Truly, this brought me great happiness as a professional."
- Martina
Apartment v131 is located on the top floor of a residential building in Ivan Vazov district at the entrance of South Park in Sofia, Bulgaria.
In its original layout, the apartment had 42 sq.m. of living space and 14.4 sq.m. of terraces. Space distribution was quite outdated, so we had to make radical decisions and completely overhaul everything.
To cater to the lifestyle of the new residents, we reconfigured the function of every room. Given the limited space at our disposal, we seized the opportunity to fully integrate one terrace and partially integrate the other. We removed the walls of the bathroom and the built-in closet and merged them with the main living area. This newly formed space enabled us to design a kitchen complete with a small dining area.
With the newly redesigned layout, we were able to expand the living space to almost 51 sq. meters, while still reserving a lovely 5 sq.m. terrace with stunning views of the park and Vitosha Mountain. Despite the apartment's limited size, it now feels more spacious thanks to a few clever tricks.
Our goal was to maintain an open and airy main living area. To achieve this, we took down the wall between the kitchen and the large column and left the space between the new kitchen and hallway open, creating a functional zone. We combined multiple pieces of furniture, including the kitchen cabinets, a coat closet, a shoe cabinet, and a fully open bookshelf. This multi-functional piece serves both the kitchen and the hallway and allows natural light to brighten the space. A generously sized mirror in the hallway reflects light and creates the illusion of a larger area.
In this design, the bedroom and living room have been completely separated with furniture, allowing for a distinct and private sleeping area. One side of the room features a sleek and functional library, while the other boasts a spacious wardrobe. Connecting the two spaces is a sliding door with stunning glass elements that allow for diffused light to flow seamlessly between the rooms, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The furniture elements reach up to the ceiling, creating the illusion of height and space, making the room feel even more open and airy.
This design was created with the needs of a couple in mind - two people who are avid travelers, sports enthusiasts, and also work from home. To provide them with ample storage and workspace, most of the furniture in the room was custom-made according to our design. Every inch of space was used to optimize the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the room.
To provide each individual with their own comfortable and private workspace, we established two distinct zones. One is situated in the living room, where we incorporated a section of the terrace while maintaining its height slightly above that of the rest of the apartment, creating an office space. To keep the natural light flowing into the room, we separated it from the living room with an open library.
The second workspace is located in the bedroom. By utilizing a tall cabinet beneath the window, we were able to conceal the radiator, increase storage space, and create a high work surface that even boasts a view.
Last but not least the bathroom in this apartment is a luxurious space that pays homage to the previous design with a splash of green - which we won't hide is a color that we love.
The old kitchen was transformed into a functional and comfortable bathroom with a long technical stone countertop featuring two sinks and a large cabinet. To maximize storage space, we even managed to also include a tall cabinet that cleverly hides the washing machine, dryer, and various cleaning supplies. It's like you have a small storage room in the bathroom. The shower area features niches for all of the bathing accessories.
Despite its modest size, the v131 apartment impresses with an abundance of storage options in every room.
the project's guiding aesthetic was 'japandi'.
A fusion of Scandinavian and Japanese philosophy of life that combines function and form, with a focus on clean lines, open spaces, natural materials, and colors that bring comfort and sustainability.
As a result, we incorporated natural finishes and materials, such as oak veneer furniture, oak herringbone parquet flooring finished with natural oil, and linen textile elements, including the curtains, the bed's damask, Furninova's sofa from Sofia Design District, and custom-made Wolfram flush mount ceiling light fitting.
Together, these elements seamlessly complement each other, creating a cozy and inviting ambiance perfect for unwinding and indulging in one's favorite activities.
Here's what the client shared about our joint work on the project:
'...From start to finish, the team transformed my old small family apartment into a spacious, modern and bright home, paying attention to every detail. They brought innovative ideas to the table and made sure everything I imagined was executed perfectly. I couldn't have done it without their help in sourcing high-quality materials and suppliers. Thanks to their efforts, I now live in a place that has both value and soul, and it brings me joy every time I'm surrounded by its beauty - whether I'm alone or entertaining friends!'
| old photos - personal archive, interior photography - Sandro Arabyan
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