Game of Tones

Just as a virtuoso needs their musical ear to create music, so must an interior designer possess a sense for detail and a knack for crafting delightful combinations. In the case of the renovation of an apartment in a historical villa on Jablonecká street in Liberec, these qualities were successfully applied. The combination of concrete plaster, wood, white color, and red accents leaves an impression of nature, airiness, and lightness.

The top floor, with the best views and the largest area… this is the location of the apartment situated in a villa from the early 19th century, which underwent renovation in 2020. For the design and realization of the interior changes, the villa owners chose apartment designer Josef Trakal from the studio Josef Trakal Design, whose main task was to use natural materials and thus bring a piece of nature into the apartment. "The entire renovation was one big symbiosis between the owners and me. We consulted on everything, and the result is our joint work. Of course, it is the designer's fate to assert their style, but they must also be able to shape it from the client's ideas, and I believe that was really achieved here," explains Josef Trakal about the collaboration with the owners. Nothing from the original apartment furnishing remained, and during the reconstruction, some unconventional problems arose. "During the renovation, we even sank down a floor, so it was truly a radical transformation," notes designer Josef Trakal with a sense of humor.

Interior Inspired by Nature

Natural colors and simple lines are harmonized with accessories for a sense of completeness and complexity. The floors and some furniture pieces are designed in the form of oak wood, and some walls are made of concrete plaster. The whole space is contrasted by the white color on the other walls, a multitude of lights, and black accessories. The overall natural impression is also left by the positioned plants, which enliven the entire apartment with their greenery.

Hallway

The entrance to the apartment is formed by a narrow and long hallway lined with white walls and doors of the same color. And what is the overall impression of the hallway? Space and brightness! This truth is created by the combination of white and support from spot lighting. The overall look is complemented by the oak wood flooring and gray details in the form of upholstery on stools or the MINIMAL collection handles from M&T. "I have known and followed the Czech manufacturer M&T for a very long time, and since I also create product design, M&T is very dear to me. We chose the MINIMAL handle in combination with doors from Sapeli, which are also minimalist, clean, and therefore beautiful," justifies their use Josef Trakal, interior designer. "For the realization, the MINIMAL handle was used in a matte nickel finish. The invisible rose that does not exceed the outline of the handle itself underlines the overall minimalist tone of the apartment," describes Roman Ulich, the main designer of M&T, the only Czech manufacturer of designer door and window fittings.

Relaxation and Culinary Experiences in One Place

The bright hallway gently connects to the living room, which is combined with a modernly furnished kitchen and dining area. The connection of both these rooms thus provides the entire apartment with sufficient space.

The right part of the room is designated for relaxation and rest, which is facilitated by a comfortable sofa in dark gray. The relaxing atmosphere is supported by a black rug with pleasantly high pile and a corner with plants on the left. However, let’s not be fooled. "Black does not have to mean dark if it is sufficiently lit and the used material can reflect part of the light," says designer Josef Trakal. Here, a different color was used, other than the three basics (white, oak wood, and gray), in the form of a blue cushion on the sofa, which accentuates the overall space.
In the left part of the room, there is a kitchen with a kitchen unit designed in a combination of solid oak and white ultra-matt, along with a dining table. The kitchen is much brighter compared to the living room and is created in the spirit of practical minimalism.

Beautiful Dreams

Right next to the living room is the bedroom with its own dressing room. The bedroom is equipped with a double bed in gray upholstery. The gray color of the bed, combined with gray curtains and the brightness of the room, is in line with the overall design of the apartment. In addition to the wooden flooring and mirrors, designer Josef Trakal used white furs here as a piece of nature. Instead of the usual black details, colorful cushions and blue nightstands, which harmonize with the abstract wallpaper on the wall resembling mountain silhouettes, serve as the colorful accents.

Time for Bathing

The dominant color of the concrete plaster on the walls is combined in the bathroom with white furniture, where white plays a more minor role. Black appears here in the form of accessories, such as faucet heads for sinks, shower faucets and heads, towel radiators, or ceiling lights. The round mirrors with wooden frames bring warmth to the space. The only problem during the renovation was the ceiling collapsing due to rotten beams under the bathroom. "That was a completely new situation for me that I had never encountered before," emphasized interior designer Josef Trakal.

Light Takes Center Stage

Lighting plays an important role in the space. Not only the design of the lighting but also the way it is used, as in this case, it visually enlarges the overall space. Interior designer Josef Trakal chose lighting from the Liberec company Severské světlo. "Clean, slightly Scandinavian design, which is also highly elegant, is simply a love of mine. I see a similarity in their design with my style. Additionally, their novelties never cease to amaze me," explains his choice Josef Trakal, interior designer.
Aside from the issues regarding the collapsed ceiling, the overall renovation proceeded in a relatively calm spirit, and the designer completely matched the taste of the owners.

Technical Details

Living area of the apartment: 150 m²
Renovation period: 2020
Heating type: conventional radiators, underfloor heating in the bathroom
Door handles: M&T, MINIMAL fittings
Interior designer: MgA. Josef Trakal, Josef Trakal Design, www.joseftrakal.cz
I have been involved in design since 2005. I was led to it by the Secondary School of Furniture Creation and Design in Liberec. The next step was studying at the FUA of the Technical University in Liberec, under the guidance of Bořek Šípek, Leona Matějková, and Jaroslav Brabec. I currently run my studio and pass on experiences to younger generations. I collaborate with architectural and design offices, graphic studios, and also crafts that are essential in realizations. My goal is to listen to the wishes and needs of the client concerning their lifestyle and create a tailored interior that exudes functionality, aesthetics, and above all, a pleasant atmosphere. My reward is mutual satisfaction and the shared joy of creating an original solution.
Photos: Johana Antošová, Leona Špačková

The material was prepared by M&T, www.kliky-mt.cz.