Renovating an apartment with style

The anthracite-colored kitchen is the true focal point of the open space, and for this very reason, the choice of flooring was essential to create a balance between its bold character and the softer tones of the walls and some of the furnishings.

Laura and Francesco opted for a Sablè cement-effect porcelain stoneware, a textured and refined surface whose shades range between sand and pearl grey, enriched with subtle scratches and tonal variations that add depth and a natural feel.

To best enhance these features, I suggested a 120×120 cm format,ideal for minimizing grout lines and achieving a more uniform, continuous, and clean surface, perfectly in line with the contemporary aesthetic of the space.

If in the living area the choice of flooring responded to the need for neutrality and balance, in the sleeping area the goal was to create a warmer, more welcoming and intimate atmosphere.

The material that best embodies these qualities is undoubtedly wood. The selected essence is oak, brushed and finished with a natural varnish, featuring a surface rich in tone-filled knots that enhance its authentic and textured character.

For the night area, smaller-sized planks can be considered compared to the living area: a choice influenced both by the different flooring used in the living space and by the presence of beds and wardrobes that cover a large portion of the surface, as well as generally more compact spaces.

One of the questions I am most often asked concerns the possibility of using wood also in bathrooms. The answer is yes, provided that the right precautions are taken. We have dedicated a specific in-depth article to this topic, which you can find here: Wood in bathrooms.

The home features two bathrooms: the master bathroom, directly connected to the master bedroom, and Emma’s bathroom. To ensure visual and design continuity, both were fitted with wooden flooring; however, in the child’s bathroom, the area around the sanitary fixtures was finished in porcelain stoneware, the same material chosen for the shower tray—thus ensuring practicality and ease of maintenance.

At the entrance the main need was to store coats and create a practical drop zone, without compromising on aesthetic impact.

To anticipate the colors of the living area and the warmth of the wood used in the sleeping area, a full-height fluted wood paneling was introduced, designed to visually elongate the wall and add character to the space. Next to it, a mirror helps amplify light and make the entrance brighter and more airy.

These elements are complemented by three storage shelves, connected to the wardrobe unit, which consists of two hinged doors. The matte lacquered almond finish echoes the tones chosen for the TV unit, creating continuity and coherence throughout the home.

In the living area there is a white matte-painted spiral staircase a choice that gives the space a sense of visual lightness. The treads and handrail, made of wood stained to match the flooring in the sleeping area, create a coherent material connection and add character without weighing down the space.

TV unit, custom-designed, is wall-mounted and features three drop-down doors. The matte lacquered almond finish—a warm and delicate shade of grey—helps create a balanced and welcoming atmosphere. The same color is also used for the entrance unit, reinforcing the dialogue between the spaces.

For a clean and minimal aesthetic, the clients chose not to drill the surface of the unit for cable routing, as the television is mounted directly on the wall. A detail that highlights the attention to visual order and the care taken in the custom design.

The wooden flooring, continues into the bathroom, stopping at the sanitary area, which is aligned with the shower tray finished in porcelain stoneware. For this reason, the same stone-effect material was extended across the floor and vertically along the short side of the shower, creating continuity and functionality in the most practical areas.

The long wall, on the other hand, is clad in sage green porcelain stoneware, which is interrupted at the niche, becoming both a decorative and functional feature.

The concept behind the design was to create a colorful and cheerful bathroom that remains delicate and timeless. A combination of materials and tones that maintains balance and lightness, while offering great versatility over time.

The bathroom vanity,finished in matte lacquer, echoes the color of the opposite wall, while the porcelain stoneware countertop reflects the texture of the stone effect. The generously sized ceramic washbasin ensures everyday practicality, and the round mirror softens the sharper lines of the design.

The tapware, in a Finox brushed nickel finish, stands out elegantly within the space, adding a contemporary touch.
Completing the project, the sage green painted shower enclosure—designed as a set of lines extruded from the wall—becomes a striking graphic and architectural feature.

The master bathroom stands out for its intense and refined color palette, where shades of glauco green and petrol green intertwine with rust accents, creating a space with a strong scenic character.

For this area, Laura and Francesco chose a metal-effect porcelain stoneware, specifically an oxidized copper finish—a surface rich in tonal variations and contrasts that add depth and movement to the walls.

The combination of this stoneware with oak wood is particularly successful: the natural warmth of the wood balances the coolness of the metal, creating a refined and enveloping harmony.

The shower tray and the vanity shelf are also clad in porcelain stoneware, a choice that reinforces material continuity and makes the space even more harmonious.

The satin stainless steel finish of the shower enclosure complements the tapware, while the glossy white ceramic washbasin and sanitary fixtures stand out elegantly against the darker background of the surfaces.

Completing the project, the drawer of the bathroom unit echoes one of the tones of the metal-effect stoneware, while the full-height mirror, extending down from the ceiling, adds a sense of verticality and exceptional refinement to the space.