This 114 sqm (1227 sqft) home based in Lviv, Ukraine uses small pops of bright colour to lift a neutral backdrop. Visualised by IDEADEYA design studio, the layout is somewhat unusual compared with many other open plan houses. On the first floor, the sofa floats in the centre of the room like an island. The kitchen is to the right and front of the sofa, with the dining area tucked behind the seating alongside the stairs. Upstairs, the bedroom is accessed only via a windowless walk-through wardrobe. The creative use of space and natural light sources within limited proportions and build structure makes the home feel spacious and airy.
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In the living area we can see that the window spot in the dining section has been made into a banquette bench seat. The window seat provides an alternative relaxation area to the sofa in the centre of the room. The banquette could also potentially act as more seats at the dining table if the table were rotated and pushed up alongside. Giving elements a dual purpose effectively doubles your space, essential in a smaller sized home.
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A door leading out onto a small balcony bathes the living room in natural light. A bright coffee table has been situated in the obvious A to B walkway to the external door from the kitchen; the small obstruction causes a more winding pathway, preventing the stretch from appearing as a hallway.
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The kitchen is in eyeline from the sofa, making the direction of the sofa an unusual choice. However, this layout allows a spacious flow of the living room that can spill out onto the balcony. The alternative would have been to nestle it into the dining room spot which is a much smaller space, restricted by the stairwell.
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The television is surrounded by the home library. A neighbouring contemporary woodburner provides a cosy vista. The bookcase is a deep green colour which contrasts to the coral coffee table, and the yellow and aqua accents. Despite the modest proportions of the home, the combination of bright colours is not overwhelming as they are neutralised by the main pallet of the scheme which is set in shades of grey and natural wood.
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The kitchen cabinets and dining table match the tone of the light wood floor. The dining table has darker legs to tie in with the darker Scandinavian style chair design.
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Many varieties of indoor house plant have been introduced to the scheme, including this Giant White Bird Of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai). These add further splashes of vibrant colour to the subdued scheme, as well as softening the layout. A botanical influence can also be found among the art prints here and there. On the table, jars are used like glass vases for dried cuttings – an understated way to continue the theme.
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Hanging planters decorate the plain wooden walls around the window seat. A large decorative dining room light fills the space over the table.
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The handle-free kitchen is very simplistic in its lines and lack of decorative pieces. The only display piece is the small wine holder that flanks the bookcase from the living room. This holds a display of wine glasses in handy reach of the kitchen bar bench that is just big enough for two kitchen bar stools.
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Internal glass allows the flow of natural light throughout the home. The light wood floor and features continue throughout each level of the house for a cohesive look.
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A cloakroom holds a compact basin and concealed cistern WC. Glass bricks have been installed below the ceiling line to allow natural light in whilst maintaining privacy.
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This is a one bedroom home. The bedroom is a well proportioned double with plenty of space for bedside units. Above the bedsides, orb style bedroom pendant lights adorn each side. Over the headboard, an arrangement of framed monochrome prints form a gallery wall, adding character to the relaxed room. We also find another large scale plant here, a Fiddle Leaf Fig.
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To the side of the bed we can see that the bedroom is accessed via a walk-through wardrobe. An optical illusion has been created by framing the adjacent mirror in an identical design to the clear glazed door.
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At the foot of the bed, a wall hung storage shelf makes use of what is left of the space without encroaching upon the floor area. A tall radiator utilises the vertical wall space.
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Having a walk-through wardrobe situated as an entrance to a bedroom makes a great deal of sense in terms of living habits; items of clothing can be neatly discarded or quickly added on entering and exiting the bedroom. Nestling the closet in a central point of the upstairs layout works too since a wardrobe/dressing area requires privacy, so the lack of an external window is not an issue. Internal glass doors and good artificial lighting provide ample illumination.
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Here we can see how the natural light from the bedroom window shines directly into the closet/dressing room.
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The master bathroom has a wall of geometric green tile, comlemented by a Swiss Cheese plant.
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A wall mounted faucet and a freestanding soap dispenser match the black marble countertop over the vanity unit.
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A contemporary towel rail adds to the dark accents.
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Geometric styling has been implemented in floor tiles too, adding interest to the ground floor entryway. A run of tall cupboards provide a large storage area.
