Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Area: 45 m2
Design Style: Contemporary
Building Type: Apartment
About the project
This project is a partial interior design for an apartment in a newly built residential building. It includes the living area with kitchen and dining space, as well as the entrance hall. The clients’ wishes were clearly defined from the very beginning — a contemporary, clean interior where functionality is the leading priority.
The clients wanted full-height furniture without handles or push systems, designed for easy access and everyday comfort. The space needed to be practical, well-organized, and easy to maintain and clean.
The apartment is home to a couple with a dog, which required high standards in terms of durability for both furniture and flooring. At the same time, the interior had to remain practical without compromising the overall aesthetic. The color palette was meant to include several tones, carefully balanced to avoid visual noise or an overly colorful feel.
Design approach
Early in the design process, it became clear that the apartment’s north-facing orientation and limited, cooler natural light would play a key role in shaping the concept. Our main goal was to create a warmer, more welcoming atmosphere without relying on dark or heavy colors.
We developed the interior around a light, neutral base that supports the natural light and serves as a backdrop for more expressive accents. The aim was to achieve a balanced, calm, and visually ordered space, while still giving it enough character and depth.
The design follows a modern aesthetic with long-term value — one that avoids short-lived trends and instead focuses on clean lines, quality materials, and carefully selected color combinations.
Functional Strategy
The functional concept focused on making the most of the available space and clearly defining the different zones. The clients wanted to explore several layout options in order to choose the one that best fits their lifestyle.
For the kitchen, the goal was to achieve a balanced relationship between work surfaces, storage, and comfortable circulation. The space needed to function equally well for cooking and everyday use, without limiting the dining area.
An important part of the strategy was the visual connection between the kitchen and the living space. We aimed for a smooth transition between functions, allowing the interior to be perceived as one cohesive, clean, and organized whole. While we avoided an excess of open shelving, we introduced a single bookcase which can be used to display books, decorations, and plants.
How we did it
The final result is an interior with a strong sense of character, where functionality forms the foundation of every decision and design adds warmth and balance. The space works as a unified whole — ordered, logical, and visually calm.
The central element of the living area is the arch, which plays a key role both visually and spatially. It was conceived as the main accent, breaking the long straight wall and adding rhythm and depth to the interior. Its soft form contrasts with the clean lines of the furniture, while its position behind the sofa clearly defines the seating area. Highlighted in a warmer, deeper tone, the arch naturally draws attention and becomes the visual anchor of the space.
The rest of the interior supports this focal point without competing with it. The natural granite countertop “White Alaska” in the kitchen, combined with green and terracotta accents and light neutral furniture, creates a balanced and warm atmosphere. High-quality vinyl flooring with a wood finish, along with oak details in the furniture, enhances the natural feel and ensures durability.
The zoning between the living and dining areas is clear yet fluid, with each zone having its own character and visual focus. Lighting highlights the architectural elements and enriches the atmosphere through a combination of functional and decorative fixtures, without the need for a suspended ceiling.
The project achieves harmony between form and function, offering a well-org45anized, durable, and inviting home, designed around the clients’ lifestyle and with lasting value in mind.
