Commentaires
Houzz Tour: A Bright Makeover for a Small, Dingy Flat
Bold colours and creative solutions bring personality and a sense of space to a couple’s compact apartment
Amanda Pollard
22 septembre 2019
When first-time buyers Craig and Sian moved into their tiny one-bedroom conversion flat, the space felt cramped and dingy. So they searched on Houzz for a suitable designer where they found Omar Bhatti of Space Shack. They asked the designer to bring some life to their new home and help them make the most of the space.
Flat at a Glance
Who lives here? Newly married couple Craig and Sian
Location North London
Property A ground-floor conversion flat
Size One bedroom and one bathroom
Designer Omar Bhatti at Space Shack
Photos by Chris Snook
“People are often afraid of using strong colours in a small space, but in fact, bold shades can really help to lift a tiny room,” Omar says. “So we were really happy that Craig and Sian shared our love of bold colour.”
Walls painted in Starry Night, Valspar. Grey sofa, Camerich. Rug, West Elm.
Who lives here? Newly married couple Craig and Sian
Location North London
Property A ground-floor conversion flat
Size One bedroom and one bathroom
Designer Omar Bhatti at Space Shack
Photos by Chris Snook
“People are often afraid of using strong colours in a small space, but in fact, bold shades can really help to lift a tiny room,” Omar says. “So we were really happy that Craig and Sian shared our love of bold colour.”
Walls painted in Starry Night, Valspar. Grey sofa, Camerich. Rug, West Elm.
Omar presented Craig and Sian with a variety of colour swatches for the living room and they finally settled on a deep blue for the walls. He then added warmth by introducing orange tones in the textiles and accessories, and green in the form of houseplants.
Ceiling light, Spark & Bell. Cushions, Heal’s and Swoon Editions.
Ceiling light, Spark & Bell. Cushions, Heal’s and Swoon Editions.
A terrazzo side table brings a contemporary feel and complements the graphic artwork and geometric designs on the rug and cushions.
“The stone grey sofa helps to anchor the scheme,” Omar says.
Terrazzo side table, Article. Lamp, H&M Home.
“The stone grey sofa helps to anchor the scheme,” Omar says.
Terrazzo side table, Article. Lamp, H&M Home.
The whole space was replastered, and new radiators were fitted.
Hem Orange Hide side table, Opumo. Chunky-knit throw, Debenhams.
Hem Orange Hide side table, Opumo. Chunky-knit throw, Debenhams.
Handmade shelves were painted in the same colour as the wall, forming an uninterrupted backdrop to a bright, fun display of accessories.
Brackets, Trouva.
Brackets, Trouva.
The kitchen was originally a separate room, but Omar opened up the space by removing the door and side wall.
“The floor was really uneven and needed to be replaced,” Omar says. To give the space a continuous flow, herringbone vinyl tiles now feature throughout the hall, kitchen and living room.
Vinyl floor tiles, Moduleo. Hallway wall painted in Silver Thistle Down, Valspar.
Vinyl floor tiles, Moduleo. Hallway wall painted in Silver Thistle Down, Valspar.
Omar removed the original cabinets and replaced them with flat-fronted matt grey units and a white quartz worktop.
A boiling-water tap saves space on the work surfaces, as there’s no need for a kettle.
A boiling-water tap saves space on the work surfaces, as there’s no need for a kettle.
“We really wanted to give Craig and Sian their first dining area, as they’d always eaten on their laps,” Omar says. A laminated breakfast bar helps to hide the washing machine, while providing an eating zone and an extra work surface.
“We always try to make the most of dual-purpose furniture and utilise vertical areas in a small space,” Omar says.
Kitchen cabinets and breakfast bar, Kütchenhaus. Bar stools, Hay. Appliances, CDA. Boiling-water tap, Victorian Plumbing.
“We always try to make the most of dual-purpose furniture and utilise vertical areas in a small space,” Omar says.
Kitchen cabinets and breakfast bar, Kütchenhaus. Bar stools, Hay. Appliances, CDA. Boiling-water tap, Victorian Plumbing.
Matt white square tiles with light grey grouting form a simple, practical splashback. The deep green walls offset the bright white of the tiles and worktop.
Check out 7 ways simple square tiles can transform your walls.
Check out 7 ways simple square tiles can transform your walls.
Open shelves are ideal for displaying plants and books and stop the cabinets feeling too overbearing.
Omar also added a wire shelving unit for items such as jars and herbs, so Sian and Craig can access them easily.
Wire shelving unit, Cox & Cox.
Wire shelving unit, Cox & Cox.
Dark green tones give the bedroom a calm feel. “I took the opportunity to be creative with colour blocking,” Omar says. The darker green surrounds the cosy sleeping area, while the lighter hue lifts the space above.
“We also wanted to add an element of tranquility throughout the home with houseplants, but in the bedroom, the lack of light made this tricky,” Omar explains. He got around it by mixing real plants with good-quality faux foliage.
Walls painted in Nature Lover (top) and Thunderbolt, both Valspar. Faux foliage, Abigail Ahern and H&M Home.
Tell us…
What do you like about this creatively designed small flat? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
“We also wanted to add an element of tranquility throughout the home with houseplants, but in the bedroom, the lack of light made this tricky,” Omar explains. He got around it by mixing real plants with good-quality faux foliage.
Walls painted in Nature Lover (top) and Thunderbolt, both Valspar. Faux foliage, Abigail Ahern and H&M Home.
Tell us…
What do you like about this creatively designed small flat? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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