Remote Renovation
Space Reorganization
The reorganization of the spaces left the bedroom in the center of the house but reduced its size in favour of the living area. The very small bathroom was enlarged and the door between the bedroom and the dining kitchen area was removed. The result is a large living area with the bedroom at its centre, enclosed in a sort of “box.
During the renovation, the walls defining the bedroom and the bathroom were demolished and then rebuilt to achieve a more fluid and less cramped layout.
The bedroom is separated from the dining area by a glass wall, with the frame crafted in Tanganyika walnut wood, spray-painted in anthracite, as per the design. The spray painting, also used for other custom-made furnishings, ensured the uniform and “satin” effect requested by the client, especially for a nearly 5-meter by 3-meter high wall-to-wall wardrobe. Inside, curtains slide to provide insulation and privacy to the bedroom
Full-height mirrored walls
The entire wall opposite the entrance and the bathroom wall, including the flush-mounted door, are fully mirrored from floor to ceiling.
In detail, the bathroom door handle is a tribute to the homeowner’s profession as a jeweler. The shower enclosure echoes the design of the bedroom’s glass wall.
Custom Work
In addition to the glass door, the house features numerous custom solutions.
Since the building is located on the first floor in the historic center of Trieste, we replaced the existing security bars with custom-designed railings modeled after those on the balconies.
The custom-made features also include the living room bookshelf and all the MDF benches that also serve as radiator covers. The front panel of the structure can be removed if needed to allow for faster heating of the space. The cooling system was designed with ceiling ducting, and the vents are integrated into the ceiling soffit, both in the living area and in the corridor.
Restoring Value to Elements Hidden by Previous Renovations
The transition from the sleeping area to the dining area is marked by a change in flooring. The space shifts from Venetian terrazzo tiles to parquet. Both types of flooring are original and were discovered during the demolition process.
For the recovery of the parquet, which dates back to the early 1900s, we removed the entire self-leveling layer, performed a superficial milling, filled in gaps, and restored where necessary using reclaimed elements. We also installed three solid oak boards to connect the parquet to the terrace. Finally, we brushed the wood to highlight its grain and applied a white pigmented water-based stain to give a natural effect without a yellowish hue, a tone that the owner did not like.
We sanded the Venetian terrace floor and replaced the missing tiles with reclaimed ones, followed by filling and milling, but not polishing, to maintain the matte effect.
The Dining Area
Upon reaching the dining area, which features a large window aligned with the long bench concealing the radiators, you will find an Ikea kitchen with an island enhanced by a custom-made terrazzo countertop. This countertop, designed to complement the flooring, was crafted by our stonemason. The slab, measuring nearly 3×2 meters, was so large that it had to be lifted by a crane. Unable to fit through the door due to its size, it was transported inside through the window.
The final result is truly unique; the apartment was chosen as the location for the Calligaris Capsule Collection catalog and won the BigSEE Interior Design Award 2020.
