Apart from the kitchen itself, the walls and ceilings of this penthouse living space are all treated with limewash paint, which gives so much more texture than regular paint because of the natural pigments of the crushed limestone the paint is made of. The textured walls contrast so nicely with the white tiles and cupboards in the kitchen and with the dark wooden flooring.
a warm grey lime wash paint to add texture
Not only the walls but the entire ceiling structure has been completely covered with lime wash paint. The effect of all these different angles and surfaces in the same texture is impressive and even though it accentuates the structure, it also evens out the many nooks and crannies in the roof and ceiling.
Limewash paints are great to apply to imperfect walls, as the added structure in the natural pigments is much more forgiving than regular paint. You can create different patterns depending on the painting technique you use and you can choose to paint the entire wall, or just a section of the wall for a more modest effect.
In this home, the limewash walls really stand out against the white window frames and the dark wooden flooring, while the natural materials in the dining area contribute to the rustic feeling the lime paint gives to the walls.
White marble in combination with limewash paint
What stands out to me the most in the kitchen is the white marble countertops, which also come back in the kitchen island next to it. To me, the contrast between the limewash paint and the natural color variations in the marble work in perfect balance together. The white marble adds a beautiful texture to the otherwise quite regular kitchen, while the limewash paint enhances the texture of the interior walls.
The white tiling on the kitchen wall goes all the way up to the ceiling, which frames the kitchen in a nice way. I think it accentuates the contrast between the materials and I like the sloped line where the limewash paint ceiling meets the tiled wall.
Styled by Copparstad, photographed by Boukari for Historiska Hem
I think this beautiful farmhouse-style kitchen with sage green kitchen cabinets looks so balanced. It’s a perfect mix of modern elements like the brass handles and faucet, and the limewash paint walls combined with a classic shaker design on the cabinets and shiplap on the walls on the other side of the kitchen.
Sage green cabinets combined with limewash paint and shiplap
So many different materials and textures are combined in this beautiful kitchen with character. The color of the sage green kitchen cabinets stands out against the white stone countertop and the brass details in the peg rail, faucet, and handles.
The wall on one side of the kitchen has been painted with a sage green limewash paint that adds a rustic texture to the otherwise clean and classic lines of the cabinets. The same color is used on the window side and the opposite side of the kitchen on the shiplap walls and backsplash, which makes the white historic door and the classic pendant light stand out in a nice way.
If you like a neutral color palette but want a bit more depth added to your natural colors, earth tones are a great way to add a bit more contrast and character to your interior design without being too bold or contrasting.
Earthy colors are easy to combine with each other and with light neutral colors and bright whites, which makes them a perfect color option for a balanced interior. Earth tones add warmth, can easily be combined together, and go very well with beiges, white and natural materials with yellow undertones. An earthy color palette in your accessories can do wonders to an otherwise minimal interior and can elevate the look to a new level.
Earthy tones in the living space
This beautiful small apartment in Sweden is rather small, yet has a great living space with a sofa area, dining area, and even a small spot for working from home. The sheer warm beige curtains* set the stage for this look as it warms up the daylight coming in from the windows.
The earth tones combine really nicely with the curtains and even though different shades are picked for different elements, these complementary colors give a very coherent look to this space.
Earthy colors in the sofa area
The white Ikea sofa with a Bemz custom linen cover* is decorated with throw pillows in neutral tones and an art print with burnt orange details. The warm cream area rug adds a lot of texture to the sofa area and visually separates the sofa from the rest of the space.
When working with earthy color palettes, it’s easiest to pick out the main furniture in modest colors so that the earth tones stand out in an optimal way. Beiges and white are great choices, while as cool tones and vibrant colors are more difficult to combine earth tones with.
The green leaf plants in both the window and on the side table add a touch of color from the opposite side of the color wheel, which is why they stand out so much among the eathy colors in the accessories and plant pots.
earth tone art prints and bentwood dining chairs
The earth tone color palette continues in the prints at the dining table where chocolate brown elements are mixed up with the contrasting black bentwood chairs and a white linen tablecloth*. The warm colors in the art prints add depth to the white walls and they turn the dining table into its own area in the space.
A home office spot with earth-tone art prints and accessories
On the other side of the room, you can find a small home office spot, with a grey desk and office chair combined with a warm beige flowerpot desk lamp (€239* – $600*), beige accessories, and skin tones in the art prints on the wall.
The dark wooden bench in the corner fits so well in this setting with a mixture of three different kinds of wood. While this area of the space doesn’t work with the obvious earth tones like in the rest of the space, it does have a more subtle palette that goes with the cool grays in the furniture.
A niche bedroom where the earth tone color palette is continued
Since the niche bedroom is visible from the living space and everything is planned in an open way, it’s a very natural design decision to also include earth tones in the bedroom area.
The art print, throw pillow, and lamp complement the color palette of the living area and since this bedroom doesn’t have any natural light coming in, it was a smart decision to place a mirror next to the bed that reflects the light coming in.
Other earth-tone color schemes to take inspiration from
In this beautiful apartment, a mix of brown, beiges, and earth tones has a similar effect in both the bedroom and living room, while as in this apartment, the earth tones come back mostly in the throw pillows and smaller accessories, which can also have a nice effect in the space.
An earth tone color palette can be as minimal or elaborate as you think might fit and if you’re unsure if earth colors would match your interior style, the easiest way to start is by changing out an art print or throw pillow, as it will easily give you an idea of the effect of the color palette in your space.
A Living kitchen is becoming more and more common these days as the average surface available in homes nowadays gets reduced a lot, especially when you live in a city. When planned right, an open-concept kitchen living room can be such a great space-saving solution that contributes to a living situation that is centered around the kitchen as the heart of the home.
A grey living kitchen in a historical building
The living kitchen in this beautiful apartment looks really impressive with those high ceilings and historic windows. The kitchen layout is planned on one side of the space with minimal grey cabinets from Ikea enhanced with white marble countertops, leather handles, and a brass faucet for a more sophisticated look.
The dining table takes its place in between the kitchen and the living room, which makes it the central area in the space, where everyone can gather for breakfast, or where guests can join for dinner. The style of the sofa area matches well with the kitchen as the grey of the kitchen cabinets comes back in the sofa and the area rug and the cognac leather vintage armchair match the handles on the kitchen doors.
Having the living room so close to the kitchen is really nice for when you have friends over, as you will all be in the same space while dinner is prepared.
How to separate the kitchen from the living room
In this beautiful example, the kitchen has been built in a niche space, filling both walls. This L-shape in itself creates a visual distinction from the rest of the room and by placing the dining table in the middle, you have a nice flow of the layout.
You might also opt for a kitchen with an island, which divides the space up, yet allows the layout to flow. You can find an example of this here and here.
Apart from the smart custom built-in storage solutions, this penthouse apartment in Sweden really stands out because of the black and white interior design which has been applied to the different rooms. This black-and-white scheme really makes elements like the hardwood flooring and the original wood beams in the ceiling stand out in such a nice way.
A spacious living kitchen with a black-and-white interior design
The beautiful living kitchen including a sofa area and a dining room really is the most impressive space in the apartment. The sloped ceilings come together at the point of the roof with these gorgeous wood beams to hold the structure. The architectural details in this place are very impressive and the modest color palette only accentuates this.
A black kitchen with marble countertops
The black kitchen is a real eye-catcher in the living space and I love the way it has been integrated underneath the sloped ceiling. The highest ceiling area has been used for tall cupboards that contain large elements like the fridge and oven, while the rest of the kitchen has a lower design, which fits underneath the ceiling. Note that the sink is placed in underneath the floating shelves where it’s still high enough to stand comfortably and non-essential elements like the coffee machine and wine cooler have found a place underneath the lowest part.
The marble of the countertops goes well with the black and white interior design and comes back in the impressive marble kitchen island which includes the stove and also has a place for sitting at the bar.
White walls and exposed wood beams
Apart from the dark wall treatment around the fireplace and the TV, all the walls in this beautiful penthouse have been kept white, so as to add depth and contrast with the black light fixtures, kitchen, and coffee table. The white backdrop of the wall accentuates the black pieces, while the grey elements in the space soften this look out.
The rest of the palette has off-white, grey, and natural wood on the floor, with the wood tones of the beams and the cognac leather of the bar bench being the only touches of color in the interior. The bar bench combined with the marble waterfall kitchen island forms a beautiful focal point in the space.
The black and white palette continues in the bedroom
The hotel-style attic master bedroom follows the black-and-white interior design and color scheme of the living area, and also here you can find a beautiful custom-built black wardrobe solution that fits the space underneath the roof perfectly.
The solid fabrics on the bed, headboard, and on the floor soften out this look and add visual interest to the otherwise modest interior with black accents.
A bathroom and powder room with limestone
The black custom-built furniture elements really stand out against the limestone tiling on the walls in both bathrooms, which has a softer effect in these spaces. The free-standing tub and the shower with a niche space for soaps with the black fittings work wonderfully and I love the way the big mirror has cut-outs for the two wall lights.
Other black and white interiors to take inspiration from
Black and white is a classic color combination with which you can’t go wrong. Are you inspired by this interior and looking for more black-and-white interior design ideas? Have a look at this beautiful apartment with white paint on the wall, ceilings, and floors, and black accessories for a nice contrast in the home decor. Or take a peek into this bedroom with a black wardrobe and black and white photography on the walls.
As a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Vilhelm Lauritzen architects, Carl Hansen & Søn is now releasing a selection of unique furniture pieces by the master architect that used to be produced solely for their intended use in the Radiohuset broadcasting building and the Vega concert hall in Denmark.
Vilhelm lauritzen architects: a pioneer of Danish functionalism
Vilhelm Lauritzen is a master architect with quite a legacy. He’s most famous for his Radiohuset, which he designed in 1945, and the complete design, inside and out, is now heritage-listed. Next to Radiohuset, he’s known for the Vega concert hall (1956).
The architect produced every single detail in his buildings, from the door knobs to the mirrors, and light fittings, to the furniture, the sofas in the foyer, and even the modern design typology used in the interior. This uncompromising commitment to the functionalism of his projects produced modern design pieces that are still so relevant today.
Carl Hansen brings two exclusive designs to private homes
Thanks to today’s collaboration with Carl Hansen and Søn, we now have access to two core ideas he exclusively developed for these two renowned buildings at the time: the Foyer series and the VLA26 Vega chair, which are now available for private homes as a tribute to the legendary architect and his contribution to Danish furniture design.
VLA26 Vega Chair: a modernist masterpiece now in production at Carl Hansen & Søn
The Vega chair was originally designed for Vega and up until recently could only be found in its’ historic concert halls. The chairs are stackable and produced with absolute craftsmanship out of steel and wood, finished off with precise upholstery in textile or leather that gives the chair a slender and refined look.
VLA26 is a modernist masterpiece and Vilhelm Lauritzen’s signature aesthetic can be found in the effortless and simple design so typical of designs from Denmark during the last century: functional pieces with ample character.
The design of the Vega stackable chairs
The ergonomics of the chair are well thought through as the back curves to embrace you. The design is available with upholstery for extra comfort or without upholstery, which puts even more focus on the finest craftsmanship of the curved oak and steel.
Finally, the masterpiece, deeply influenced by the functionality and aesthetics of the Vega concert hall, is finished off with wooden feet that lend an artisanal feel to the timeless design chair. This is my personal favorite element on this masterpiece, as it gives it a unique look and feel.
While the Vega chair fits the impressive concert halls that are covered with warm wood elements and graphic tiles perfectly, it certainly has a place in a modern-day interior as well. I tried out the chairs in my neutral-colored interior and I love the way the carefully crafted oak in the seat, back, and feet adds a soft tone to my warm wooden flooring and the way the black steel frame adds these fine and elegant contrasting lines to the setting.
Carl Hansen & Søn: iconic craftsmanship
Vilhelm Lauritzen is one of many mid-century Danish masters to join the Carl Hansen & Søn collection next to names like Hans J. Wegner, Ole Wanscher, Frits Henningsen, Arne Jacobsen, Kaare Klint, and Poul Kjærholm.
Probably best known for the CH24 wishbone chair designed by Hans Wegner, Carl Hansen and Søn’s bring to life iconic design pieces through the finest craftsmanship and with the highest quality materials. They always work closely together with the families and studios of the exceptional designers, nourishing a long-term relationship to ensure absolute adherence to their visions.
Through the work of these design icons, Carl Hansen & Søn is able to continually reinvent itself and through each of the chairs, tables, stools or even outdoor furniture is keeping Danish design heritage alive with one goal in mind: to gather the best, most iconic modern furniture designs under one roof.
This blog post was written in collaboration with Carl Hansen, however, all opinions are my own. You can read about the Windsor chair in my previous article here, or about the limited edition wishbone chair in collaboration with Ilse Crawford in this article.
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British designer Faye Toogood is probably most known for her Roly-Poly furniture pieces, which have made their way into a range of renowned interior projects and private homes. Her work includes furniture design, clothing, and since recently also homewares. Her minimal and sculptural objects are bold, yet fit in with so many different styles
Dough ceramics is the most recent addition to the Faye Toogood portfolio of unique and groundbreaking designs. The ceramic series consists of a mug, jug, bowl, platter, vase, and centerpiece, which are all handmade and inspired by the shape or rising dough.
A ceramics series to seamlessly go on the Roly-Poly dining table
The new collection of dough ceramics was created around the Roly-Poly aesthetic Faye Toogood is most known for. The ceramics series were to be used on the Roly-Poly table seamlessly and the designs were created to go hand in hand with the products in that range, hence the oversized, plump, and bulging look of the products.
The Dough mug, my new Faye Toogood favorite
For the design of the Dough mug, the British designer wanted to give additional attention to the details in the simple ritual of having a cup of tea. The forms and curves on this cup are what make it work so nicely. The Dough mug set is my personal favorite from the collection and so on brand with the beautiful Faye Toogood designer aesthetic.
Crafted at Toogood Studio in London and glazed in Portugal
The ceramic pieces in the collection come in cream or charcoal and have a very simple design aesthetic without details or decoration, which is unnecessary with such bold shapes. The glaze has a soft sheen and looks as if it were painted. The ceramics themselves are crafted in the Toogood studio in London, whereas the glazing process is done by artisans in Portugal. A beautiful collaboration between talented makers.
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I wrote about the Vipp shelter in Sweden a long while ago, but since this beautiful cabin recently received a makeover with the newest Vipp furniture pieces and accessories, it was time to write a little update about the two-person living space with large windows and a mesmerizing lake view.
A small living space with an ultra-wide view
The Vipp shelter is only 55m2 (around 600 square feet) big, yet this compact cabin design with a black steel structure has everything a design lover could wish for. The Vipp shelter has a very dark-toned interior from floor to wall to ceiling, to keep the focus on the beautiful surrounding nature.
From the combined living room and kitchen, you have a wide view over the neighboring lake, which can be opened up to live one with nature. Since the kitchen, dining area and lounge area are all in one single space, you can enjoy the woods from anywhere, which makes it a perfect fit for outdoor lovers.
The bedroom is located on the second level of the Vipp shelter, with a skylight that gives you a view of the stars at night. The loft bedroom fits a queen size bed and is located above the Vipp bathroom.
The cabin interior
The cabin is fitted with a Vipp kitchen in black metal which is fully equipped with all the Vipp kitchen accessories. To add a bit of contrast, the full bath has a white metal module, which works well in this space.
Both the dining area and the lounge area got an update with the most recent Vipp furniture release and I think it has a very warm and inviting look.
A modern cabin stay or a prefab home
You can book a visit for 2 nights in this beautiful forest retreat, but you can even order this prefab home and create your own cabin in a remote location of your choosing. The metal structure is so much more modern than a logic cabin and it’s a luxury version of small vacation homes.
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Blue is such a modern and trendy color for a kitchen and you can find this cool color tone in many creative kitchen examples. Blue kitchen cabinets can lift up the design of any regular kitchen, or a more subtle blue kitchen island combined with another color on the main cabinets can be such a beautiful color play that enhances the look and design of the space.
Below I compiled a list of the most inspiring kitchens with blue cabinets. The designs come in many different layouts, with different material compositions and in different shades of blue. Blue cabinets or a blue island complement well with white marble or stainless steel, which enhance the cool undertones of paint, while warm gold and wood tints tend to balance out the look and add warmth.
A blue kitchen island and stainless steel appliances
This beautiful shaker kitchen with navy blue cabinets and a blue kitchen island combines wonderfully with the thin white marble countertop and a low marble backsplash to finish things off. The upper area of the kitchen has been kept white for a light look that matches the light wood floor.
The stainless steel appliances enhance the cool undertones of the deep blue cabinets and the steel comes back in the subtle handles on the cabinets as well.
A shaker kitchen with dark blue cabinets and limestone countertops
This beautiful studio home kitchen has deep, yet slightly pale blue kitchen cabinets in a shaker design with a layout that goes high up to make optimal use of this space in this small studio apartment. The limestone countertops add a warm touch to the space and complement the flooring very nicely. The blue kitchen cabinets start at floor level and continue all the way up to the ceiling for an elegant effect.
A blue kitchen with a light blue kitchen island and a beige shiplap wall
I love the combination of the deep blue in the kitchen cabinets and the lighter blue kitchen island with the grey marble countertop. This combination is interesting in and of itself, yet the beige shiplap wall adds yet another interesting element to this kitchen.
The blue of the cabinets is continued in a glass vitrine next to the dining table and the chrome and cognac leather pulls finish off this look very nicely.
Light blue cabinets combined with white marble and stainless steel
This beautiful home has a subtle yet characterful light blue kitchen with steel handles and white marble countertops combined with a low marble backsplash. The marble brings out the cool tones in the space even more and the minimal design of the cabinets works well with this color palette.
This beautiful pale blue kitchen is from the Real shaker kitchen range of Devol kitchens and I love the color palette of the pale blue combined with the white marble, the off-white walls (‘Pale Nutmeg’ from the Dulux Heritage Collection), and the brass on the cabinet handles. The brass comes back as a backsplash at the stove as well for a cohesive look.
The blue island completes the kitchen and other than holding the sink, you can also sit at the breakfast bar with two people. The flooring has been painted in Cornforth White by Farrow & Ball* which gives the space a light look and highlights the all-blue kitchen in a subtle way.
The combination of the cool tones in the cabinets and the beautiful warm brown tones in the marble countertop and backsplash is so powerful in this turn-of-the-century apartment. The palette is pretty dark altogether, so the chrome hardware and faucet add a fresh and lighter touch to the space.
Deep blue paint combined with a subway tile backsplash
The kitchen in this beautiful Swedish home has such a beautiful combination of materials. The white tiles with black grout contrast so nicely with the blue kitchen cabinets, the beige wall, and the exposed brick section in the dining area of this kitchen.
I like the clean touch the chrome handles add to the dark blue kitchen cabinets and the white countertops make the transition between the blue paint on the cabinets and the beige paint on the wall smooth in a way. The galley layout of the kitchen is perfect for this space.
A blue island as a separator combined with beige kitchen cabinets
In this majestic living kitchen, the blue kitchen island is used to separate the living area from the kitchen. Rather than combining the blue islands with more blue kitchen cabinets, the design looks more balanced and subtle with the two-tone color choice.
Shaker cabinets with blue painted combined with a subway tile backsplash
This Swedish home has a large kitchen with the most beautiful herringbone flooring. The warm tones of the wood floors are contrasted with the cool undertones of the blue kitchen cabinets and brightened up with the white tile backsplash. Upper cabinets are only used on the wall furthest from the window and finished off with white trim on top. This makes the layout of the kitchen much lighter and I like the floating shelf that has been covered with the same blue paint color.
A wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling light blue kitchen
I love the way this light blue kitchen covers the entire wall, giving it a very minimal and seamless look. This minimal style of the light blue kitchen cabinets and the white marble countertops and backsplash has been contrasted with the bentwood chairs at the dining table and the colorful rug underneath.
Blue kitchen cabinets with gold accents and sage green walls
The blue kitchen combined with a natural wood kitchen island in this old station house is such a masterpiece. Half the kitchen walls have been lined with subway tile, which goes over into the sage green paint on the upper part. The deep blue color of the cabinets is enhanced with beautiful gold accents in the handles, which make a beautiful focal point in the space. The gold faucet and the subtle gold light fixtures add elegance, while the kitchen island adds a timeless look to the space.
A light blue and blue-green kitchen with green flooring
The kitchen in this characterful home has a beautiful mix of light teal and light blue kitchen cabinets combined with teal flooring. The light blue cabinets work wonderfully together with the green-blue tints, the wood countertops, and the cognac leather of the dining chairs. Such a characterful space full of color trends and personality.
The muted blue color on this Sebastian Cox Kitchen from deVOL works wonderfully together with the copper countertops and backsplash, which also comes back in the small detail of the cabinet handles. The walls have been painted in a lighter blue tint, which matches the vitrine cupboard that has been hung on the wall.
A classic blue kitchen with a ceiling-high subway tile wall
While blue cabinets tend to work a bit more modern, the blue kitchen in this beautiful apartment has a bit more of a rustic and classic look. The white porcelain sink combined with the vintage round dining table and the wood open shelving adds a cozy touch to this space and I think the little pendant light above the table finishes off the look in such a perfect way.
Blue paint on modest shaker cabinets with gold accents
This blue kitchen is finished off with subway tile as well, yet I think the way the coffee corner has been finished off with the same tile is quite interesting. The exposed brick wall and the gold handles on the cabinets warm up the cool tones of the blue kitchen and the gold faucet finishes the look off nicely.
A blue kitchen island, stainless steel appliances, and limestone countertops
This beautiful Swedish home has a characterful blue kitchen with limestone countertops and a blue kitchen island that separates the kitchen from the living area in an elegant way. The limestone is also used as a backsplash and the stainless steel appliances cabinet handles and faucet add a clean and elegant touch to the space.
A light blue kitchen island in an all-white attic apartment
The blue kitchen island is the center of this living kitchen and also the biggest element in terms of layout. The walls have quite an awkward shape, yet the kitchen has been fitted in perfectly. The light blue kitchen island also serves as a separator between the dining area and the kitchen and I like that the back side of the blue kitchen island has open shelving for the most cherished porcelain pieces.
The stainless steel countertops match so nicely with the modern color palette of the kitchen and give it a clean look.
The blue kitchen in this Swedish home with stainless steel appliances, chrome handles and faucet, and white marble countertops has a very cool appearance, yet this is balanced out so nicely with the characterful vintage dining table and chairs that add such a warmth to the space.
The stained oak upper cabinets in this beautiful kitchen create an interesting contrast with the lower cabinets in blue. The beautiful limestone countertop finishes it off nicely and connects the two-toned upper and lower cabinets together. The kitchen island is fully made out of the same limestone as the countertops and backsplash and I think the pendant lights with black detailing finish it all off perfectly.
Navy blue kitchen cabinets with white marble countertops and a kitchen island
This classy navy blue kitchen works so well in this turn-of-the-century space and complements the wall paneling and crown molding perfectly. The navy blue cabinets are finished off with white marble countertops and chrome hardware for a classy look with clean lines.
The kitchen modules are spread over one single wall, with a blue kitchen island in the middle, leaving ample space for a spacious dining table with beautiful Black Carl Hansen & Son Wishbone chairs on the other side.
Blue shaker cabinets and open shelving in the same color
The white walls and the warm wood herringbone flooring in this historic kitchen are contrasted by deep blue shaker cabinetry and chrome and black hardware. The white marble countertops make the transition from the cabinet color to the wall smoother and the deep blue open shelving on the wall is a great spot to add home design items on display.
The blue cabinets in this kitchen are finished off with a white tile backsplash and a light wood countertop material. Both the tiles and countertop contrast nicely with the dark cool undertones on the cabinets and the white farmhouse sink just seems to pop out of this beautiful setting.
A crisp White Interior with a Modern Dark Blue Kitchen
The blue kitchen cabinet color stands out in this all-white turn-of-the-century room with high ceilings. What’s special about this particular example is that the stove hood has the same color as the kitchen cabinets.
This beautiful duplex apartment in Sweden (styled by Anna van Keppel, photographed by Elin Sylwan for Historiska Hem) has so much character and personality. The black kitchen and large dining area seem to be the heart of the apartment, from where you can take the spiral staircase up to the second floor where there is a bedroom and an office space hidden underneath the roof.
The asymmetrical living room layout features a curved sofa, a curved coffee table, and a custom module for the TV. The dining area in the adjacent kitchen has a color palette that complements the one of the living room.
On the second level, you can find a bedroom with a built-in wardrobe around the bed for optimal use of storage and a home office with a desk integrated into the window sill.
What is a duplex apartment?
A duplex apartment is an apartment that is spread over two floors, with a staircase that can be accessed from inside the apartment. Often the apartments underneath the roof don’t have so much usable floor space, so by connecting two floors together, you make one bigger unit.
Sometimes you will even have a separate entrance for the second floor, but that’s usually when two units are transformed into one unit with more space.
A kitchen with black cabinets and a beautiful living area
On the lower level of the duplex apartment, you have the living kitchen with a big dining table and a living room. The kitchen was fitted in a rather awkward layout, but works nicely with its U-shape and still leaves ample space for a large vintage dining table.
I love the style of the limestone wall by the sink, which has been covered with a plexiglass backsplash for an interesting combination of textures. The black cabinets add so much contrast to the warm undertones of the off-white walls and I like the wooden floating shelves and countertops for an effortless yet warm style.
The black kitchen is finished off with a butcher block countertop paired with a black countertop by the sink and floating shelves for keeping glasses, cups, and cookbooks.
The wall shelves are custom-made to fit the width of the wall exactly, making the asymmetrical layout of the kitchen less obvious.
A spacious kitchen dining area with an impressive wall rug
The large wood dining table paired with oak wood dining chairs in front of the kitchen window is paired with a black tulip lamp and an impressive hanging wall rug that adds a beautiful array of warm colors to the setting.
A living room with an awkward layout
It’s not so easy to decorate a room with angled walls, yet I love the way the owners of this apartment made the living room work. The angled sofa fits perfectly along the angled walls and the asymmetric coffee table makes the setting complete. It kind of feels like the furnishings were made exactly for this room.
The common wall between the kitchen and the living room is used for a custom TV unit which has been painted in the same color as the wall for a sleek tone-on-tone look.
A spiral staircase to the office space and bedroom
The black spiral staircase works so nicely with the black cabinets in the kitchen and the round shape fits the style of the space. From the kitchen, you can make your way into a rooftop office space and bedroom on the second floor of the duplex.
A custom home office space with a desk integrated into the floor plan
The office space is a great example of a custom storage solution that goes over into a desk. When you are working with sloped ceilings and angled walls, it’s often better to have someone install custom-built fittings rather than try and make regular furniture work.
The custom window sill desk includes storage cubbies on the bottom which are great for displaying objects and storing books.
A bedroom with a custom-built wardrobe around the bed
On the other side of the staircase, you can access the bedroom which has a very nice storage solution as well. The bed was built into two storage units with a headboard and artwork in the middle for a sleek and cozy effect. This solution is something you could install with ready-made storage units as well and would make a great Ikea hack. You could even cover the entire bedroom wall with cabinets, just like in this example and if you are looking to implement a similar setup in your bedroom, make sure to take a look at this post which includes a full list of wardrobe ideas that go over the bed.
