PROJECT: Viera Studio + IKEA Chic

      Living in the city usually means living small, especially when it's near one of the busiest entertainment districts of the city.  A small space however does not always mean living in a shoe box, it just means living smart and choosing the right things. Following the living philosophy of famous expert Marie Kondo, we just need to find the things that spark joy. 

     Upon first meeting my client, I immediately learned that she wants to keep things simple, referencing IKEA as her inspiration for her new condo. With that thought in mind, we created a minimalist haven that is both functional and flexible. Choosing to go with a neutral palette— we chose mostly white with some touches of light wood — allows for a bright and airy atmosphere.

     Given that the allotted space for the wardrobe was outside the bedroom, in the dining area, we needed to be creative with the design. To maximize the space of the wardrobe, it had to be customized to make sure she has space for every item of clothing, as well as space for her small luggage as well as other miscellaneous items. Shelves were also incorporated in the wardrobe to allow for her to display some personal items as well, blending in both open and closed storage in one. The design was made simple, with clean lines and a white palette. Take note that no handles were used for a minimalist look that's also very discrete, making it look less of a wardrobe cabinet to easily blend in with the dining area.

      Moving towards the bedroom, built-in pieces were also made to maximize the given area. Box-shaped shelving units on the wall provides additional storage and space for her TV and media, while still allowing ease of movement within the room. Beside the bed, a cantilevered vanity table with drawer makes use of the limited space presented by the column.

      All of the furniture was from IKEA, which was perfect for the style and pegs the client wanted for her place. Immediately past the kitchen, a Selje side table stands in front of the full length mirror. A Norden gateleg table for her dining area, which can easily be folded up or down, is partnered with a pair of white Nordmyra dining chairs. The double-sized Barstone bed has pull out drawers and open storage below to maximize the space of the bedroom. Finally, a pair of Frosta stools act as both her vanity area chair on one side, and a creative looking night stand on the other. With a mix of creativity, the right furniture and light colors, we have truly turned this modest space into a light and airy home.

Minimal carpentry was added to the bedroom to make it look spacious, but still provide the owner with functional storage.

A white wooden box from Mori Home is the perfect rustic piece to create an organized table top. 

Different kinds of baskets, boxes and trays makes for interesting storage options.

A beautiful round tray from Marmol Stonework tops this Selje table.

Left: Mirrors help make this small space look brighter and more spacious. These do-it-yourself self-adhesive mirrors from IKEA allows total customization.
Right: A custom ledge by the proudly displays a watercolor piece in the kitchen area, while at the same time hiding the circuit breaker behind it.