It doesn’t matter if the house or apartment you start off with is beautifully decorated, hideously furnished, or completely empty. Thoughtful redecoration can transform any such location into the stylish abode of your dreams. Interior designer Jean Malnory did exactly that to this old apartment in Oslo. Taking advantage of the built-in architectural features of the house and combining them with his intellectual vision, Malnory created a functional interior design in a modern industrial style, exactly as he had always wanted.
The apartment is populated by furniture and decorations colored black, white, and shades of grey. One might think that this would make the space look stark and lifeless, but this is clearly not the case. The color scheme is reminiscent of the black-and-white drawings by M. C. Escher, giving the area a modern and voguish ambiance. Subtle decorations, such as the geometric pattern of endless cubes on the mat in front of the sink, contribute to this look.
The couches and chairs have been carefully selected for their leather materials. These materials do not look as comfortable as the plush microfiber upholstery that is often found in luxurious apartments, but this choice has been made on purpose, as the sleek shiny leather adds an industrial aspect to augment the modern feel. In this sense, every aspect of the house has been chosen to convey chic style over ostentatious pleasure.
Even the household appliances and amenities have been fashioned to reflect this ambiance. The bathroom, for example, is fitted with a copper bath tub, unusual in this day and age but completely fitting with the dated industrial-modern theme. To prevent the error of making the house look too industrial and too primitive, however, the tub is illuminated by pristine white overhead lighting and accented by a pretty black and white patterned tiling, which brings the feel of the bathroom back to present time.
Although the aforementioned stylistic choices contribute greatly to the industrial-modern house style, they are brought together by the golden aspects interspersed throughout the area. These accents add an air of class to the interior design and make it more homely and habitable. The golden teacups on the coffee table, the golden side table, and the golden modern faux-chandelier add some color and brightness to the rooms. Without them, the house still looks beautiful but it seems a little dated; with this ornamentation, the style is slightly modified to suit the 21st century.
Malnory started with a nearly blank slate and forged an amazing take on the modernist interior design. The unique choices transform the house into a work of art and make a person feel as though he is stepping into something from history while staying in the present day.
Images: klikk
