Simple elegance for this period apartment in Budapest

T

he renovation of this beautiful period apartment in the heart of Budapest, Hungary, caught our attention for its simple elegance. Three-and-a-half-metre-high ceilings and a pleasant interior, which mixes together contemporary furniture and vintage pieces.
We are in the centre of Pest, the city’s creative hub, close to the imposing tree-lined Andrássy Avenue and a stone’s throw away from the river Danube, famous bridges and Margaret island and its charming park.

Vitra Eames Plastic Chair

Both the original kitchen floor tiles and the parquet flooring have been restored and relayed. They perfectly complement the simple and modern aesthetics of the furniture.

The new home of our young family of four faces a peaceful internal courtyard, however this 140 sqm apartment had been previously split into corridor, reception rooms and several gloomy bedrooms. By changing the internal layout, our new owners wanted to turn this apartment into the brightest space possible, but they wanted to keep all original period details intact: parquet flooring, tiles, doors and windows. And to work this matter out, they called back to her country of origin trusted friend and relative Réka Visnyei, founder of interior design studio INpuls in Munich, Germany.

Pendant lamps hang over kitchen counters and floor lamp, which is simply a glass vase with a light bulb shining through. Both pieces were made by the owners themselves.

An open plan kitchen and dining room replace the old corridor. Left-hand side, entrance and right-hand side, master bedroom. And around the dining table, Eames chairs in bright colours.

The new layout got rid of a long corridor and now, kitchen and dining room are the heart of the home; this is an open-plan space shared by all. Private rooms lead off this central hub: the living room with TV corner, the kids’ bedroom and opposite, the master bedroom.

Original French doors were restored and refitted. When open, they create a free-flowing space between kids’ bedroom and kitchen and dining room. The carpet, which brings to mind vintage-inspired designs, is an authentic piece consumed by actual ware-and-tear.

The master bedroom with a simple and clean feel. The antique chest of drawers and the grand piano are a reference to old-world style.

So, as to preserve the original herringbone oak flooring and natural stone kitchen tiles, the interior design team had to first carefully take them out, restore them piece by piece and then, lay them again from scratch. Furthermore, period materials were adapted to the new internal layout and wooden French doors and old windows, including handles, were also restored and refitted. 

In the kid’s bedroom, parents have built a fantastical bridge painted with blackboard paint and supported at the back by shelving; this is the entrance to a magical dream land.

Restaured and relayed: oak parquet flooring and kitchen tiles in natural stone (left-hand side), period window handles in brass (right-hand side).

The charm of a period apartment is undeniable. In origin, everything was handmade by skilled artisans using only top quality materials and in fact, to conserve this was the owner’s main request. Important was also a need to let more natural light in and to turn free-flowing kitchen and dining room into a central hub. Furthermore, this interior project by INplus harmoniously brings together modern living and a love for period details. And all this combined, created an elegant and pleasant apartment, which perfectly satisfies the needs of the family who lives here. 

Design project

Renovation and interior decor of a city centre apartment

Location: Budapest, Hungary
Client: private
Floors: one
Size: 140 square metres

Interior design project and furniture sourcing: INpuls, Interior Design Architecture, arch. RékVisnyei, Kochelseestrasse 10 RGB, 81371 Monaco di Baviera, Germania
Tel: 00 49 (0)89 244 07 67 07

Email: info@IN-puls.com

www.in-puls.com/de

Photos: Courtesy INpuls