£25K in Adaptable Millwork Gives a Tiny London Flat “Rooms Within a Room”

This article details the transformation of a 473-square-foot studio apartment located in a historic 1930s building in Milan, Italy. The renovation, undertaken by local architecture firm ATOMAA, converted a dark, cramped, and compartmentalized space into a flexible and open living environment. The project, named "A House In Constant Transition," demonstrates how renovating existing buildings can be a more sustainable and tailored solution compared to new construction, particularly in addressing embodied carbon. The original layout featured a narrow, poorly lit bathroom centrally located, bisecting the apartment and blocking one of its three windows. The architects' primary intervention involved relocating the bathroom to the rear perimeter wall, away from natural light sources. This strategic move allowed for the centralization of fixed functional elements such as storage furniture, a wardrobe, washing machine, and entrance along this thickened wall. Consequently, the main living areas—kitchen, living, dining, and bedroom—were repositioned closer to the windows, benefiting from ample natural light and creating a continuous, open space. The new design emphasizes flexibility and openness, giving the impression of a much larger apartment. Curtains and sliding doors play a crucial role in enabling the inhabitants to reconfigure the space as needed. For instance, curtains in the living room can be drawn to create a private, enclosed area. The use of light and bright colors, particularly on a curved wall, helps reflect light and enhance the sense of spaciousness. An exposed brick wall, painted white, subtly defines an entry area and a laundry room. The kitchen, now centrally located, features cabinetry and furniture crafted from high-quality beech plywood. All living spaces are unified by wooden flooring laid in a diagonal pattern. The kitchen is fully equipped with modern appliances, including a stove, oven, range hood, refrigerator, and dishwasher, all neatly concealed behind cabinet doors. Floating shelves are utilized instead of heavy solid cabinets to maintain a light and open aesthetic. Flexibility extends to the bedroom, where two sliding doors can separate the sleeping area from the kitchen. A reading nook is positioned by the window, and another curtain offers an additional layer of division to separate the bedroom from this nook. Multipurpose sliding doors in the bedroom can alternately close off the closet or the bathroom. The relocated bathroom is now a wider and brighter space, accommodating a shower, toilet, bidet, and sink. It also features two points of entry: one from the laundry room and another from the bedroom. ATOMAA founder Umberto Maj highlights the importance of such renovations in ensuring urban continuity and providing comfortable, sustainable housing solutions in growing cities like Milan, by reusing and rehabilitating existing beautiful buildings from the 1930s. #ApartmentRenovation #SmallSpaceDesign #FlexibleLiving #SustainableDesign #MilanArchitecture #InteriorDesign #HistoricBuildings #SpaceSavingSolutions

Many homeowners facing space constraints desire additional living areas but are deterred by the high costs and extensive labor involved in major renovations like adding a second story or a large extension. However, there are numerous creative and often more affordable strategies to expand usable space within an existing home without undertaking a major remodel. These approaches focus on optimizing current layouts, converting underutilized areas, and creating the illusion of greater space. One of the most popular and effective methods is converting basements or attics into functional living spaces. Basement conversions are particularly appealing because they expand a home's square footage without altering its external footprint, typically at a lower cost than upward or outward additions. Key considerations for a basement conversion include ensuring adequate ceiling clearance, which ideally should be at least 6 feet, 8 inches. If the current ceiling height is insufficient, options include lifting the house or digging down the foundation. Additionally, basements often require significant work to update plumbing, electrical systems, and waterproofing to meet building codes and ensure habitability. Similarly, attics can be converted, though this might necessitate adding dormers to elevate the roofline, especially if the space is intended for a bedroom or bathroom. For less formal uses, such as storage or a children's play area, building codes are more flexible regarding headroom. Another strategy involves modifying existing ceiling structures to enhance the perception and utility of space. Creating vaulted ceilings can dramatically increase the sense of openness and volume in a room. Incorporating skylights further amplifies this effect by introducing more natural light, making the space feel larger and brighter. Combining both vaulted ceilings and skylights in areas like kitchens can be a cost-effective way to achieve a significant impact. In rooms with newly vaulted or already tall ceilings, vertical space can be leveraged to add loft areas for sleeping or studying, or to install taller cabinetry for increased storage capacity. These vertical expansions can provide valuable functional space without expanding the home's footprint. Interior wall removal or modification is another impactful way to create larger, more versatile rooms. Removing a non-load-bearing interior wall can merge two smaller rooms into one expansive area, improving flow and functionality. However, it is important to consider the resulting sightlines to ensure they are desirable. If a full wall removal is not feasible or desired, simply widening a doorway can create an illusion of increased spaciousness. For instance, transforming a standard doorway into a wider, arched passageway between a kitchen and dining room can significantly alter the feel of the space. Smaller, targeted additions like bumpouts or niches can also contribute to a more spacious feel without requiring extensive construction. A bumpout, which extends a few feet from an existing wall, can be relatively simple to engineer if it is 14 feet wide or less, often requiring only a stem wall foundation. These small extensions can create cozy dining nooks, reading areas, or even expand kitchen counter space by allowing cabinets and sinks to be pushed back. Cantilevered additions, which do not require foundation work, can also offer similar benefits, such as the classic kitchen window box. Additionally, utilizing awkward or formerly "dead" spaces, such as under stairs or in rooms with sloping ceilings, by adding built-in drawers, shallow cabinets, or custom nooks can maximize storage and free up valuable floor space. Repurposing outdoor structures, such as decks, presents another avenue for expanding usable area. An outdoor deck can be partially enclosed with screens to create an indoor-outdoor living space, providing an area protected from insects without needing full insulation. A covered deck or porch can be fully converted into a sunroom through structural changes, insulation, and new windows. Homeowners considering these conversions must ensure the original deck was legally constructed and adheres to zoning regulations regarding buildable areas. Finally, if physical expansion is not possible, various design elements can create the illusion of greater space. Swapping solid doors for those with windows, installing French doors, or incorporating larger windows can enhance natural light and open up a room. Light-colored paint, open shelving, and well-placed wall mirrors are also effective in making spaces appear larger and more airy. Regardless of the chosen approach, consulting with an architect or structural engineer is crucial, especially when considering modifications to walls or foundations, to ensure feasibility and adherence to building codes. A licensed general contractor can provide initial impressions, but professional recommendations from engineers and architects are essential for safe and successful renovations. #HomeRenovation #SpaceOptimization #InteriorDesign #BasementConversion #AtticConversion #HomeImprovement #SmallSpaceLiving #ArchitecturalDesign

This blog post explores the transformation of an unfinished 900-square-foot basement in Oakville into a practical and stylish multifunctional retreat, designed by FOHR DESIGN STUDIO. The project focused on creating a space that could be actively used by a growing family, moving beyond the typical 'builder box' basement. Heather Lewis, co-founder of FOHR, highlights the need for dedicated zones within an open-concept area to accommodate various activities for children and adults. A key design element is a set of four custom-built bunk beds, strategically placed behind the family's sectional sofa. This client-driven idea addressed the need for sleepover capacity without dedicating a separate room, maintaining an open and integrated feel. Lewis notes that these built-in bunks not only serve a functional purpose but also act as an architectural focal point, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the space rather than appearing as standalone furniture. The renovation emphasizes the dual purpose of aesthetic appeal and functionality, with custom millwork being a prominent feature. This includes a bar, media units, and clever storage solutions concealed behind slatted cabinetry. FOHR DESIGN STUDIO chose custom solutions over prefabricated options to ensure specific design requirements were met, meticulously planning details such as groove spacing in cabinets, safe access to bunks, and integrated lighting. Lighting played a crucial role in the basement, given the limited natural light. Since an underpin was not part of the renovation, maintaining a standard ceiling height necessitated a layered lighting approach. This involved incorporating pot lights, wall sconces, and decorative fixtures, allowing for adjustable ambiance – for instance, dimming overhead lights and using sconces for movie nights. The design studio adopted a monochromatic color scheme of blacks, whites, and greys, punctuated by patterns and contrasting elements. Examples include a quartz countertop with black and white veining in the bathroom, striped rugs, patterned textiles on the bunks, and black hardware throughout the space. To prevent the monochromatic palette from feeling cold, Lewis introduced elements of softness and personal touches, such as a wall displaying a record collection in the kitchen-dining area, which adds color and serves as a visual feature. Thoughtful space planning was the foundation of the project. Lewis explains that the initial phase involved collaborating with the client to identify essential and desirable features, then mapping out the flow and relationships between different areas. This process prioritized functionality over aesthetics in the preliminary stages. Design partner Rania Ismail further elaborated that the spatial relationships, whether open or closed, significantly influence the overall experience, with materiality and finishes layered on once the layout is finalized. Lewis expresses pride in the transformation, emphasizing that the studio helped the family realize their vision, converting an idea into a tangible and highly utilized space. The basement now serves as a lively hub for movie nights and family gatherings, adding significant value to their daily lives. The project underscores the importance of intentional design that goes beyond superficial aesthetics, highlighting the extensive process of drawing, redlining, and coordinating with trades to create genuinely functional and beautiful built-in solutions. #BasementRenovation #InteriorDesign #CustomMillwork #MultifunctionalSpace #ResidentialDesign #FOHRDesignStudio #LightingDesign #SpacePlanning

Casa GS, an apartment located in the Città Studi district of Milan, Italy, underwent an interior redesign by Kick.Office. The original apartment was characterized by a dark and uninviting corridor, a common feature in older residential buildings. The primary objective of the redesign was to transform this previously overlooked space into a more functional and aesthetically pleasing element of the home. The design solution involved the creation of a striking promenade within the corridor, achieved through the introduction of a barrel vault ceiling. This architectural detail not only enhances the linearity of the space but also serves as a visual guide, directing visitors towards the main living area of the apartment. The barrel vault contributes to a sense of openness and architectural interest, effectively mitigating the former darkness and creating a more welcoming entrance. A key functional and design element implemented in the renovation is a custom-made wardrobe. This wardrobe spans the entire length of the transformed corridor, serving a dual purpose. Aesthetically, it creates a continuous and streamlined surface, contributing to the overall modern and clean aesthetic of the space. Functionally, it acts as a strategic divider, clearly demarcating the 'day zone' from the 'night zone' within the apartment. This separation improves the organization and flow of the living spaces, providing privacy for the more intimate areas of the home. Throughout the redesign process, a conscious effort was made to preserve and integrate the existing high-quality materials and finishes present in Casa GS. This approach ensured that the renovated apartment maintained its authentic character and established a sense of continuity with its historical past. By honoring the original architectural elements while introducing contemporary design interventions, Kick.Office aimed to create a harmonious blend of old and new. The project has been recognized within the design community, earning a longlist nomination in the 'residential interior (small)' category of the Dezeen Awards 2025. This acknowledgment highlights the project's innovative approach to space utilization, its thoughtful integration of architectural details, and its successful transformation of a challenging interior layout into a sophisticated and functional living environment. The redesign of Casa GS demonstrates how strategic architectural and interior design interventions can significantly enhance the functionality and aesthetic appeal of existing residential properties, particularly in urban settings where space optimization is crucial. The use of the barrel vault and the custom wardrobe are central to this transformation, offering both visual appeal and practical benefits to the residents. #ResidentialInteriorDesign #ApartmentRenovation #MilanArchitecture #BarrelVault #CustomMillwork #InteriorRedesign #SmallSpaceDesign #ArchitecturalPreservation

Soroush Pourhashemi, the founder of the bespoke furniture studio Lozi, has designed a 48sqm flat in Hackney, East London, that serves as a prime example of efficient small-space living. Located in a boutique development overlooking Haggerston Park, the apartment showcases smart design principles, sustainable craftsmanship, and timeless aesthetics. The development, completed in 2020 by Artform and interior designers Scenesmith, aimed to redefine purpose-built living by integrating thoughtful design and quality materials. Pourhashemi and his team at Lozi were involved in the project from its inception, contributing bespoke kitchens and wardrobes for all nine apartments. Initially, Pourhashemi did not intend to live in the development, but the high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail persuaded him to make one of the flats his own. This decision also provided a unique opportunity to test his furniture designs in a real-world home environment, allowing for practical application and refinement of his creations. Throughout his time living in the flat, Pourhashemi introduced several custom-made pieces tailored to maximize space and functionality. These include a tiered record player unit designed to utilize vertical space efficiently, a bed with integrated hidden storage, and a discreet shoe storage solution cleverly fitted into the narrow hallway. Each furniture item is not only functional but also maintains an understated elegance, contributing to the flat's serene atmosphere. The 48-square-meter flat is characterized by its thoughtful layouts, clever joinery, and modular furniture. Examples of this innovative design include a coffee table that can be converted into a desk, and slim shelving units with softly curved edges that fit seamlessly into tight corners. Large windows allow natural light to flood the interior and offer views of the adjacent park, enhancing the sense of openness and connection to the outdoors. The overall design creates a space that is both hardworking and effortlessly calm and cohesive, demonstrating that compact living can be beautiful and highly functional. #SmallSpaceLiving #InteriorDesign #HackneyFlat #FurnitureDesign #BespokeFurniture #SustainableCraftsmanship #ModularFurniture #HomeMakeover