smaller

A Serene, Natural, Elegant Small/Cool Space

My livingroom is the first thing you see when you enter the apartment, because its just across the entry. Since it has just one window, I wanted to make it brigter, thats why it has the glass divider wall in the direction of the bedroom. I love to read&sleep in the corner of the sofa with my dog. (Image credit: Patrcia Kolonics)

A Serene, Natural, Elegant Small/Cool Space

Page URL

Name: Anna Gergely

Blog or website: http://bergerinterior.com

Instagram: @bergerinterior

Size: 516 sq ft

Home type: Apartment

Location: Budapest, Hungary

Years lived in: Half a year, owned

Household: My partner, István, and my dog, Picúr

Have any design professionals worked on this space: Anna Gergely (Berger Interior)

Describe your space:

I bought my apartment one and a half years ago in a really nice quarter of Budapest, Hungary. It was uninhabited for a long time, so everything was rotten and neglected, hence a one year long renovation followed, when we changed everything except the main walls. I work as an interior designer, so I knew what I wanted to accomplish: a light and airy apartment, with natural wood elements and contrasting colors. I really love how the outside becomes part of the apartment: the lights and the trees are beautiful in every season. The materials I selected feel in alignment with the space.

Did you DIY anything in your space? And, if so, what's your favorite DIY?

I renovated and reupholstered the chairs and the living room armchair, which I found at the dumpster. I took most of the photos, which hang in the living room, wallpapered the bedroom wall, and assembled most of the furniture. The bathroom vanity is my favorite, which is also a salvaged piece: my friend gave it to me, and after a long renovation process, which seemed like a lifetime, I restored it to its previous glory. It served in my previous apartment as a dresser, but here I transformed it to a vanity. It looks perfect, and it is also really practical because of the lot of storage it provides.

How do you make your small space work for you and feel bigger than it really is?

I love that I have a small walk-in closet next to the bathroom! With another wardrobe in the bedroom, there is enough place for all of our clothes. I really love the storage cabinet next to the shower, which hides the washing machine, the water heater, and all the cleaning supplies. I love the bookshelves under the big window in the bedroom, and that there is under-the-bed storage. I think its really important to know how much stuff you own, and plan accordingly. I also try to resist to buy any unnecessary stuff which would clutter the place, and buy only the things that I really need.

How does your home reflect you?

This apartment really captures how I want to live: close to nature, owning what's essential, and having all the small details that matter. I think it reflects how my style evolved in the last few years, and I really like how the overall feel of the apartment is not too busy, but there are a lot of nice textures, colors, details, and lights, which make you stop for a moment.