P3 APARTMENT

A complete remodel of a 52-square-metre apartment on the top floor of a 1970s block in Athens, creating a calm, cozy and minimal home with maximised flow and space efficiency.

Located on the fourth and final floor, the apartment had not been updated since its construction. The original terrazzo floor was in poor condition, and the kitchen and bathroom fittings were deteriorating. The new owner purchased the flat with the intention of a full renovation, which involved gutting the interiors and revising the layout entirely.

The original layout had the living room and bedroom facing the front balcony, separated by a wall, with a cramped kitchen and side storage area at the rear. The bathroom sat near the entrance, dividing the two zones. The main intervention was to remove the wall between the living room and bedroom, converting the former bedroom into a kitchen, and relocating the bedroom to the rear where the kitchen once was, including a compact walk-in closet. This reorganisation placed all public areas at the front, maximising direct access to the large balcony and daylight, while moving the private bedroom to a quieter position.

The colour palette was restrained and natural with white walls, warm wood tones and darker greys to add depth. The original wooden herringbone flooring, which covered half the apartment, was restored through polishing and patch repairs. The remaining terrazzo was concealed under laminate flooring carefully matched to the wood’s colour, creating a harmonious flow throughout the flat. Custom-designed cabinetry ranged from white to wood-effect melamine and dark grey, bringing cohesion to the interior. A modern terrazzo tile backsplash in the kitchen added a subtle pop of colour while celebrating the building’s character.

In the open-plan kitchen and living area, two double French windows flood the space with natural light, leading directly to the balcony. Positioned on the east side, the windows benefit from gentle morning sunlight while avoiding excessive heat in the warmer months, which is ideal for Athens’ climate.

Storage was a priority throughout the design. Vertical kitchen cabinets extend to the high ceilings, utilising every centimetre without sacrificing floor space. The entryway features bespoke floor-to-ceiling cabinetry that also houses the washing machine, as it did not even fit in the bathroom. Inside the bathroom, overhead cabinets above the vanity maximise storage without making the bathroom feel even smaller. The walk-in closet in the bedroom is minimalist in design, featuring custom drawers at the base and simple rails above for hanging clothes.

The kitchen, bathroom and closet areas were designed with the client’s lifestyle in mind, following extensive consultations to understand her daily routine and preferences. To maintain clean countertops, ample hidden storage was provided to house appliances and essentials. Rather than a traditional dining table, a custom-shaped table was crafted to fit between the French windows, serving dual purposes: a workspace with room for a computer and a casual dining spot with stools, all while preserving the openness of the floor plan as it was requested.

While the renovation doesn’t incorporate extraordinary features, the project shines through clever layout planning, maximising every square metre, and tailored furniture solutions designed specifically for this apartment.

Type: Apartment Remodelling

Area: 52m²

Year of Completion: 2021

Location: Kipseli, Athens