Name: Nelly, Ivailo, and Theo
Location: Brookline, Massachusetts
Size: 991 square feet
Years lived in: 3 years
When childhood sweethearts Nelly and Ivailo left their home in Bulgaria to pursue a new life in Boston, they had no idea what adventures awaited them. Ten years, two careers, and one child later, they found themselves knee-deep in one of the less-celebrated aspects of the American dream — the gut renovation.
With backgrounds in finance and web development, neither had any training or experience in interior design. But that didn't stop these intrepid home owners from realizing their pad's full potential. With discipline, determination, and occasional help from a carpenter friend, they worked tirelessly for several months transforming their dated, cookie-cutter condo into a hip urban hangout that combines European style with American ingenuity and Yankee thriftiness.
Evidence of creative home hackery abounds in this tidy, efficient space — from the floating shelf-turned-vanity in the narrow hallway to the movable top on the kitchen island to the wardrobes cobbled together from spare parts found in the "as-is" section at IKEA. Their most innovative solution, however, is the small alcove room, which added a much-needed second bedroom without sacrificing the sense of openness they were trying to achieve. Floating the partition walls away from the edges lets light into the windowless enclosure while stairs to the platform bed create a gentle separation from the living room.
Sheltered from the street by a row of evergreen shrubs, Nelly and Ivailo's Coolidge Corner oasis is the perfect spot to sip champagne and enjoy a bit of Eastern European hospitality. Nazdrave!
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our style: Modern, contemporary, loft-like, simple
Inspiration: We looked online at a lot of photos. We love the modern Italian look, which is very sleek and unfussy.
Favorite Element: The bedroom enclosure is definitely our favorite element. We also like the cabinets around the fridge and the walk-in closet, which was narrow and useless before.
Biggest Challenge: Living in the space while renovating it was a huge challenge. We had to remove all the dust and debris and clean the whole space every day before our son came home. Another challenge, — which we still haven't solved — is figuring out how to transition from different ceiling heights between the kitchen and living room.
What Friends Say: Everyone seems to like it. People are surprised to see so much light in a North-facing condo on the ground floor.
Biggest Embarrassment: All the unfinished parts! There are some rough edges. We are always noticing little things that could be finished better.
Proudest DIY: Cutting down all the cabinets to fit perfectly was a big project. We also raised them off the floor to maintain the feeling of openness.
Biggest Indulgence: The construction. Most of the furniture and finishes were really affordable. Even the floor is a laminate we found at a big box store. It's stylish, but virtually indestructible!
Best advice: You need to be disciplined to do a project like this on your own. Be prepared to experience some tension and conflict with your partner! Also, try to balance what will appeal to future buyers vs. what you like. For example, the floor color we chose is not the most marketable, but we love how it brightens up the space.
Dream source: Bo Concept, Anthropologie, Adesso
Resources of Note:
LIVING & DINING ROOM
- • Dining room table, chairs, wall cabinets, and coffee table from IKEA
• Sofa from LaFlat
• Club chair from City Schemes
• Rugs from West Elm
• Giraffe, candles, and candlesticks from Anthropologie
KITCHEN
- • Cabinets, island, shelves, and wardrobes from IKEA
• Refrigerator by LG
• Carpet tiles from CB2
OTHER
- • Child's room furniture and accessories from IKEA
• Zebra blanket from Urban Outfitters
• Lighting from IKEA and Home Depot
Thanks, Nelly and Ivailo!
Images: Ronee Saroff
• HOUSE TOUR ARCHIVE Check out past house tours here
• Interested in sharing your home with Apartment Therapy? Contact the editors through our House Tour Submission Form.
A Contemporary Space in the Queen City 
Ten Tips for The Sexiest Bedroom... Like Ever (And also for finding love) 
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Geneva Sound System...
How To Cook a Steak: 15 Recipes for a Weeknight Valentine's Meal
How To Make Cake Pops
Comments (23)
Glorious!
Oh, I know there are a few here who hate one word comments, so to expound on "Glorious"...
1. exceptionally lovely: beautiful in a way that inspires wonder or joy
2. outstanding: so good or distinguished as to merit praise and lasting fame
3. enjoyable: highly enjoyable
I like the colorful art in the living room. Who is the artist?
Michelle
http://cheeseloversinternational.blogspot.com/
I really like the orange walls and the way that the owners carved out a bedroom without totally enclosing it. Well-executed!
The place is a bit heavy on the IKEA factor for me, but not bad. I like the large oversized kitchen island and the choice of paint colors is intriguing ...
The bedroom alcove bedroom is very smart and like the orange too. Great job with the kitchen. Your apartment is not my style but think this is well done and stylish.
First, very well done.
Second, welcome to America.
You have done an amazing job creating an interesting, multifunctional space. I love it!
I don't see the "IKEA factor" that another commenter remarked on. I think the space is light and bright and uncluttered (maybe that's the Ikea factor?) and I think it's very well done. Especially in Boston where there are few places to go for modern furniture and fixtures.
The color palette is delicious.
It's an usual aesthetic for AT - very sleek, confident and adult. The owners appear to have style without being terribly fussed by interior design: the fact that their home is beautiful is merely a byproduct of innate chic. Or at least that's the impression I get.
I think that the many IKEA items have been very successfully incorporated into the design. There's a lot of it but none of the rooms look like a page from an IKEA catalogue.
@PaminBoston,
I think the "Ikea factor" comment is referring to the fact that virtually everything, including the floor, is from Ikea.
Very well executed. This is the real sign of a good remodel. Not how much you spend but how you execute the project. I love the orange. Who is not happy around orange I ask? I also like the steel color on walls. Bravo!~~Cheryl
www.kitchendetailsanddesign.com
Actually, although a number of the case goods, including the kitchen cabinets, are from IKEA, the two largest/most noticeable pieces in the living room are NOT from IKEA - the couch and the red chair. Also, it says the floor is from "a big box store," but not specifically IKEA.
I personally think this place demonstrates how you can fill in with a lot of IKEA but still have something gorgeous and unique.
You had me at childhood sweethearts.
Love the lay out and the compactness of the space. It looks like a practical house to keep clean etc. Really well done.
Lovely home of lovely Bulgarians :)))
Наздраве!
Most excellent. The soffit and the fact that you've painted it grey is genius and TRULY inspired.
I also love that a kid lives here but the kid-ification is kept to the kids room...as it should be.
sorry. no. its tacky
That bed alcove is genius! Love all the colors on the walls. How can you not love a home with an orange wall?
Until I saw the lighswitches, outlets and door knobs, I saw nothing to indicate that this is in America.
Too many homes with a very clear, very graphic design concept, become stiff and dogmatic. Or they become a status seeking design statement. Yet your home remains personal, indivdual and fun. Congratulations. Enjoy it!
BTW I don't understand all of this snobbish concern with "Ikea". Why give a damn where the stuff was bought? Either it all works together (as it does wonderfully and freshly here) or it doesn't. Even if the furnishings all come from expensive places, or genuine "mid century vintage" Craigs list.
meh.