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EM Architecture recently completed the renovation and design of Maison Mentana. The building was constructed in the 1900’s as a four-plex, then later converted into a duplex before becoming a single-family home last year. The extent of the renovations to this structure has left it unrecognizable from its original state. All of the interior walls were removed, including a back wall that leads to a large patio space in the backyard.

Inside, the absence of walls creates an open floor plan that amplifies the stark beauty of this minimalist space. The light flows freely in from the oversized windows and doors on either end of the home. However, the largest source of light comes from a massive skylight that casts sunlight into the lower level. It spans the width of the home at 45 feet and is six feet long. The two-story gap also serves as a division between upstairs bedrooms, accessible via catwalk.

The free-flowing atmosphere of Maison Mentana can be attributed to the soft wood paneling that lines the floor and a section of the ceiling which travels up through the skylight. Wood is then accented in smaller doses elsewhere in the home, complementing a bright white color scheme.

What do you think of this minimalist makeover? Let us know in the comment section below or on social media! [Photography and information courtesy of Adrien Williams and Architizer]

Designed in 2015 by A+Z Design Studio this contemporary apartment in Budapest, Hungary, utilizes sparse accessories to accentuate the sharp curvature of the space and draw the eye in.

There are original touches throughout the apartment, such as the radiators and the pipes running from floor to ceiling. The apartment has been staged with a combination of rustic and contemporary materials, showcasing the timelessness of the space.

One disruption to the tranquil design is in the bathroom, where bright turquoise and café au lait-colored tiles break up the monochrome palette. And in the kitchen, where dark grey cabinets offset the egg white tile and a herringbone wooden floor subtly accentuates the cream colored walls.

The bedroom is a soft white, accentuating the sharp curvature of the room and the dramatic ceiling. Tiered arches lead to a corner sleeping nook. A painted hardwood floor in a herringbone pattern is softened by area rugs. A door on the opposite wall leads outside to a small curved white balcony, which overlooks the city’s beautiful architecture.

Tenement House on the Edge of a Park was an interior design project by Loft Kolasinski, completed in 2016. The original Tenement building, built on an edge of a park in Szczecin, Poland, was completed in 1907.

This renovation utilized the bones of this century old tenement building: the original hardwood floors of the apartment were renovated, and the stucco elements were restored from the original.

To accessorize the restored apartment, the focus was on sourcing European mid-century design. Lighting elements are sourced from Poland, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic. The bed, created by the interior designers Loft Kolasiński, is made of Oak wood with an oil finish. The living room carpet is a ‘60’s design by Antonin Kybal. The wooden furniture set was created by Grete Jalka. To complete the look, a framed vintage street poster of the movie “Matador” from 1986 leans against the wall.

The 120 square meter apartment is a tasteful time capsule, utilizing midcentury design to restore the tenement-style apartment to its former glory.

Photo credit to Karolina Bąk