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Houzz Tour: A Cosy Riverside Flat Full of Smart Storage Ideas
This redesigned apartment in Dublin is packed with clever storage solutions, stylish small-space living ideas and cosy, tactile textures
A good relationship between a homeowner and their designer is essential to any project and when both parties work well together, it can make the difference between a good project and a really great one. When Pietro Calati and Alessandra Melchionda asked interior designer Dana Kallo of Black Fox Interiors to help them with their new Dublin flat, it was a happy project for all concerned.
“They were very, very easy clients to work with,” says Kallo. “They were very fast in making decisions, they knew what they liked and what they didn’t, and they were able to listen and have an open mind.” As such, the redesigned flat is stylish, well thought out and very personal to the couple.
“They were very, very easy clients to work with,” says Kallo. “They were very fast in making decisions, they knew what they liked and what they didn’t, and they were able to listen and have an open mind.” As such, the redesigned flat is stylish, well thought out and very personal to the couple.
As soon as they got the keys, the couple took Kallo to visit the property and together they started making plans. The flat had only had one previous owner, so it didn’t need any big structural changes, but Kallo did decide to remove a section of wall to open up the kitchen and living room.
“There was a wall dividing the two before,” she says, “but we had the top half of that wall removed to make the scheme much more open [leaving the half-height wall behind the sink area to act as a splashback]. The owners like to entertain, so it was important to create a space where they could communicate with their friends at the same time as cooking.”
Echo extending dining table, Calligaris. Brushed-steel and walnut pendant lights, National Lighting. 3D-effect wall tiles, Porcelanosa.
Read a complete guide to managing a kitchen renovation
“There was a wall dividing the two before,” she says, “but we had the top half of that wall removed to make the scheme much more open [leaving the half-height wall behind the sink area to act as a splashback]. The owners like to entertain, so it was important to create a space where they could communicate with their friends at the same time as cooking.”
Echo extending dining table, Calligaris. Brushed-steel and walnut pendant lights, National Lighting. 3D-effect wall tiles, Porcelanosa.
Read a complete guide to managing a kitchen renovation
“All the apartments in the building have the same kitchen – white units with a black granite top,” says Kallo. “This one wasn’t in bad shape and the original plan was to keep it, but it didn’t have much storage. We were considering just changing the cabinet doors, but after a few tries we realised we could actually gain lots more storage with a new layout.
“The old kitchen ended at the open shelving, so we added an extra unit, as well as a row of wall cabinets,” Kallo explains. “We also had a storage bench built in under the window.”
The lighting was already good throughout, so Kallo just added extra spotlights above the bench seating and pendants above the table for drama and visual interest.
Wall units, Kube Kitchens. Storage bench, Krisztian Hegedus of Krisz Carpentry. Bench cushions, Missoni Home at Roche Bobois. Grey felt Adelaide dining chairs, BoConcept.
“The old kitchen ended at the open shelving, so we added an extra unit, as well as a row of wall cabinets,” Kallo explains. “We also had a storage bench built in under the window.”
The lighting was already good throughout, so Kallo just added extra spotlights above the bench seating and pendants above the table for drama and visual interest.
Wall units, Kube Kitchens. Storage bench, Krisztian Hegedus of Krisz Carpentry. Bench cushions, Missoni Home at Roche Bobois. Grey felt Adelaide dining chairs, BoConcept.
When planning the redesign, Kallo made sure she created lots of separate zones. “If you’re having a dinner party, for example, you might have a few groups of people, so we carved out some separate little areas for people to gather and chat in small groups,” she says.
“The main thing the couple told me they wanted was storage – and lots of it!” Kallo continues. So she commissioned a carpenter to create a bespoke library wall in the living area. He added oak elements to this to tie it in with the existing oak window frames and flooring.
The oak cabinet fronts were also chosen to complement the flooring and frames. “It gives the rooms a bit of warmth,” says Kallo.
Library wall storage unit, Krisztian Hegedus of Krisz Carpentry. Grey felt corner sofa, BoConcept. Alya lounge chair by Andreu World from Bushell Interiors.
“The main thing the couple told me they wanted was storage – and lots of it!” Kallo continues. So she commissioned a carpenter to create a bespoke library wall in the living area. He added oak elements to this to tie it in with the existing oak window frames and flooring.
The oak cabinet fronts were also chosen to complement the flooring and frames. “It gives the rooms a bit of warmth,” says Kallo.
Library wall storage unit, Krisztian Hegedus of Krisz Carpentry. Grey felt corner sofa, BoConcept. Alya lounge chair by Andreu World from Bushell Interiors.
“The artworks in here are a bit out of the ordinary,” says Kallo. “They’re made from dried moss, grass and leaves. It’s a very new process – many of the green walls you see in big offices are made using the same process.
“I showed the homeowners some photos and they decided to be brave and go for it. Fortunately, they ended up liking them a lot.”
Artworks, Mummie Plants. Bespoke oak frames, Krisztian Hegedus of Krisz Carpentry. Coffee table, BoConcept. Rug, Bushell Interiors. Brushed-steel and walnut floor lamp, National Lighting.
“I showed the homeowners some photos and they decided to be brave and go for it. Fortunately, they ended up liking them a lot.”
Artworks, Mummie Plants. Bespoke oak frames, Krisztian Hegedus of Krisz Carpentry. Coffee table, BoConcept. Rug, Bushell Interiors. Brushed-steel and walnut floor lamp, National Lighting.
The soft green wall colour in the master bedroom was influenced by the peaceful courtyard garden view. “We tried four or five shades of green,” says Kallo. “We settled on this one as it gave a wash of colour, but wasn’t too bright. It needed to be a relaxing shade.”
The storage theme continues in here – the top of the bed lifts up to reveal a spacious compartment underneath.
Walls painted in Vert de Terre, Farrow & Ball. King-size Lugano storage bed, BoConcept.
The storage theme continues in here – the top of the bed lifts up to reveal a spacious compartment underneath.
Walls painted in Vert de Terre, Farrow & Ball. King-size Lugano storage bed, BoConcept.
The second bedroom also doubles up as an office. Soft green walls, an oak desk and a leafy patterned rug were all chosen to create a natural, relaxing scheme. The sofa can be converted into a bed for guests.
Walls painted in Vert de Terre, Farrow & Ball. Sofa bed, BoConcept.
Walls painted in Vert de Terre, Farrow & Ball. Sofa bed, BoConcept.
A walk-in wardrobe was squeezed into a tiny existing hallway cupboard. “This was a mop cupboard when we arrived,” says Kallo.
“It’s a small space, but Krisztian made bespoke cupboards for the left-hand side and added display storage on the right to maximise every inch. The couple travel a lot and have quite a bit of luggage, so they needed a place to store this, as well as somewhere to display and stash shoes and accessories.”
As in the rest of this apartment, it’s a great example of how clever thinking and bespoke storage solutions can transform a compact city flat into a welcoming and functional home.
See 10 ways to create a walk-in wardrobe
TELL US…
What do you think of this Dublin flat? Let us know in the Comments below.
“It’s a small space, but Krisztian made bespoke cupboards for the left-hand side and added display storage on the right to maximise every inch. The couple travel a lot and have quite a bit of luggage, so they needed a place to store this, as well as somewhere to display and stash shoes and accessories.”
As in the rest of this apartment, it’s a great example of how clever thinking and bespoke storage solutions can transform a compact city flat into a welcoming and functional home.
See 10 ways to create a walk-in wardrobe
TELL US…
What do you think of this Dublin flat? Let us know in the Comments below.
Who lives here Pietro Calati and Alessandra Melchionda
Location Dublin 2
Designer Dana Kallo of Black Fox Interiors
Size 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Situated in a modern complex encircling an interior courtyard garden, Pietro Calati and Alessandra Melchionda’s two-bedroom apartment has wonderful views from every room. The living area looks out over the bustling street and the River Liffey, while the bedrooms have tranquil views of the leafy inner garden.
“My brief was to complement the views as well as reflect their style,” says Kallo.