Renovation of an apartment in Žižkov

Living in Colors
The renovated apartment is located in an apartment building built at the beginning of the 20th century, in Prague's Žižkov district. The character of the period when the house was built is presented by the original parquet flooring with a fishbone pattern, original classic wooden windows, panel doors with brass handles, and high ceilings. The owners of the apartment, a young family with two small children, desired an artistically bold living space "in colors," respecting the original character of the apartment while also incorporating vibrant colors and playfulness in the spaces.
We combined natural oiled oak wood paneling with modern furniture in rich colors. Thus, the apartment acquired a contemporary look according to the investors' vision, while respecting the elements from the past that form its fundamental character.
The acquired apartment was not in its original state; during the 1990s, it underwent a renovation. Unwanted additions, such as a slanting partition for a technical room and an ineptly built children's room within the living room and kitchen space, were removed. However, the investors insisted on maintaining the original number of rooms, and instead of the former built-in children's room, they wished to create a guest room that would also serve as an office.
The office and guest room are used only for a limited period during the day or for several days when hosting guests. Therefore, we designed this room to lend its space and natural light to the living room and especially the kitchen when it is not in use. The kitchen, in its original layout, was tucked away inside the space with almost no natural light. This connection is facilitated by two large sliding doors that disappear into the partition/wood paneling when opened.
In addition to the volume of the office, a "slanting" volume for the entrance closet and technical room was added to the apartment during the previous renovation; we replaced this with an entry wardrobe. Here, a much better-organized storage area was created according to the investors' needs. Both new volumes are material-wise and shape-wise distinct from the original constructions of the apartment. The surface treatment consists of the aforementioned oak veneer paneling, and the corners that face the original rooms/spaces are rounded. Rounded corners create a more spatially pleasant atmosphere, make the space feel airier, and allow the veneered paneling to stand out elegantly in the arch.
The dominant feature of the living space is a large window, which the owners wanted to exploit to the fullest. We placed bench seating with storage space in front of it and positioned a dining table on its axis. The owners sensitively enriched the apartment with paintings, decorations, and large flowers, thereby emphasizing its overall atmosphere.