Blending Boundaries
“Dark colours can be an ideal solution for rooms with limited natural light,” architect Jessica Keupp of Dax I, told Never Too Small, “because they blend boundaries and make light wooden floors and white doors shine.” That much is clear in this elegant Berlin apartment where a harmonious balance of rich colours and modern finishes makes the 46sqm/495sqft feel grand.
Located in the bustling district of Yotsuya in Shinjuku, Tokyo, thisnarrow three-storey house designed by Arte-1 Architects measures just 56sqm/603sqft. The elegant all-black exterior sets the tone for the atmospheric interior, which relies primarily on the large arched window in the atrium for its natural light. The slate grey walls in the atrium and the forest green in the bedroom contribute to a sense of cosy elegance that is augmented by track and spot lighting.
Dark Minimalism
A darker palette does not mean you cannot achieve a minimalist aesthetic. Rob Ashby of Robert Ashby Architects was asked to complement the style of the client’s existing home when creating a self-contained studio apartment for visiting family and guests. Consistency was on Ashby’s mind when he opted to apply the same black cladding from the exterior throughout the interior, but the true appeal behind this choice was the moodiness it gave to the space. This same material is applied almost universally, disguising cabinetry and giving the studio clean, minimalist lines.
The rustic minimalism of this Tasmania home was inspired by the surrounding landscape and owner Alice Hansen’s Danish heritage. Hansen relied mostly on local materials and products to achieve her elegant aesthetic, which is defined by its rich wood features and black accents and furniture. The home, which is all contained within a single room, features a large central area surrounded by niches dedicated to different functions like sleeping, cooking, and relaxing. Finished in black and dark shades, the niches help disguise any clutter and support the clean, minimalist feel of the space.
Sophisticated Maximalism
Imani Keale of Imani At Home is a home and lifestyle creator based in Washington, D.C., and is a proud renter — something that has never stopped her from going all out on the décor. For this eclectic rental apartment, Keale went for a “warm maximalism,” using a plethora of things, textures, patterns, and deep hues to create an intimate and luxurious feel. While Peel-and-Stick wallpaper is used throughout much of the space, the bedroom is distinguished by its pared-back black walls, which give it a cosy, calming feeling.
Named Microluxe for a reason, the single-room Melbourne apartment of architect Ben Edwards of Studio Edwards packs in a lot of luxury for its small footprint. Edwards achieved a sophisticated cave-like feeling through his use of materials and furnishings: marble-clad finishes in the bathroom, black-coated steel in the kitchen, and carefully selected light fixtures. The ceiling was painted in a darker shade that mimicked the flooring to create a sense of intimacy, like the space “hugs you a bit”.
For more like this, check out Design Inspiration: Luxurious Small Spaces.
