Apartment 6B, Boyana District

This project is a classic example of the trust built between a designer and a client. The clients—a young family with a small child—approached me with a dream of a warm, family home. Their initial vision leaned towards the French Country style, rich in decoration and ornamentation.

During the design process, however, we managed to distill their true desires. We preserved the sought-after sense of coziness and natural appeal but translated it into the 21st century. Instead of a literal rustic interpretation, we created a modern, clean aesthetic that “breathes” more easily yet delivers the same warmth through natural materials and carefully curated textures.

The conceptual challenge here was intriguing: the clients adamantly did not want an ‘industrial design,’ yet they insisted on one specific texture—an exposed natural brick wall.

My task was to integrate this raw material in a way that wouldn’t feel ‘factory-like’ or cold, but rather serve as a source of warmth. We balanced the brick’s rugged character with an abundance of natural wood (oak) and soft textiles.

The leading accent in the palette was the family’s other major request—green. We selected a deep, natural shade of green that creates a soothing atmosphere and complements the wood textures perfectly, steering clear of the sterility often found in standard modern kitchens.

Living Area & Kitchen: The heart of the home is the kitchen, where the bold green color of the cabinetry sets the tone of the room. To avoid clutter (characteristic of the initial French Country idea), I opted for clean lines and concealed volumes. The black cylindrical hood and track lighting add the necessary graphic contrast and a modern touch. The dining area is warmed by a solid wood table and mustard-colored chairs, which visually communicate with the decorative throw pillows on the sofa.

Children’s Room: The space for the youngest family member is a continuation of the general concept—functional yet imaginative. Wardrobes featuring a stylized mountain peak design create a whimsical atmosphere without imposing overly bright colors, ensuring a calm environment for sleep and play.

Entrance & Bathroom: The entrance hall flows naturally into the living area through the recurring motif of green veneer and wooden slats that conceal the coat hangers. The bathrooms follow the line of “natural modernism”—a combination of a wooden countertop and stone-textured tiles.

The realization of the project required precise execution to achieve the desired ‘clean lines’ aesthetic. A key element was the floor zoning—the flow between the patterned geometric tiles in the kitchen and hallway and the natural parquet in the living room was executed seamlessly without transition strips, which required perfect leveling of the surfaces.

All furniture compositions, including the complex joinery in the entrance and kitchen, were custom-designed and built to maximize space utilization, a crucial factor for urban living.