A Bold, Youthful Apartment in Kazakhstan Designed for a Son on the Brink of Independence.

Almaty-based studio Sdelaemremont was approached by a mother with an unconventional brief: design a home for her teenage son, one she’d eventually move out of so he could begin adult life on his own. That tender premise alone had us hooked.

The result is a 110-square-metre apartment that feels simultaneously grown-up and playful—bold without being brash, colourful without being chaotic. What we love is that not everything here is mega expensive or high-end. It’s the confident approach to colour, material, and spatial composition that gives this interior its warmth and personality, not the price tags.

At the heart of the apartment sits a generous open-plan kitchen and living area—bright, expansive, and clearly conceived as the emotional anchor of the home. A sculptural Secolo dining table, a vibrant kitchen, and a large Arflex sofa define the zone, creating a space equally suited to cooking, studying, hanging out, and everything in between.

This Madrid Home Proves Compact Living Needs Smart Design, Not More Space.

A disused furrier's shop in Madrid's south has become a compact home where nothing goes to waste. BURR tackled the tricky split-level layout with a staircase that works overtime, concealing storage and a tiny WC beneath its treads.

Then there’s the mirrored cube. Positioned centrally within the open plan, this sculptural volume conceals a laundry room behind its reflective surfaces—part art object, part practical workhorse. It’s a clever, cheeky move that perfectly captures the spirit of the project.

The living area introduces one of the apartment’s strongest architectural gestures: two veneered door portals that create a rhythmic frame, flanking a marble decorative fireplace. On the opposite side, a custom metal shelving unit displays travel souvenirs—personal objects that bring memory and narrative into the space.

The designers explain: “We introduced a bold palette, unexpected veneers, and playful spatial interventions. The result is an unapologetically youthful interior that reflects the energy and sensibilities of a young man on the brink of independence.”

Smart Athens Renovation Shows How to Honour 1930s Modernist Heritage Without Museum-ifying It.

Lara Vartzioti's renovation of this 1930s Athens modernist building strikes the perfect balance between preservation and contemporary functionality.

The hallway, unexpectedly, became one of the project’s standout moments. A large mirror amplifies the interplay of textures and colours, while vivid doors positioned symmetrically form a striking, almost graphic composition—a condensed expression of the apartment’s overall aesthetic language.

Two bedrooms form the private quarters: one for the son, the other for the mother, complete with her own tranquil en-suite. It’s a thoughtful arrangement that balances togetherness with the autonomy this project is ultimately about.

There’s something genuinely sweet about this apartment. It’s a home designed with love and foresight—a mother preparing the ground for her son’s next chapter. And what a beautiful way to begin.

Studio Latino's Gutsy Design Layered Over 1970s Bones in Milan.

Rather than concealing the apartment's 1970s heritage, the project celebrates it—original Palladiana floors and wall partitions remain visible beneath new layers.

[Images courtesy of Sdelaemremont . Styling by Elina Mussakulova. Photography by Varvara Toplennikova.]