ordinary
The chances of finding the perfect home, readymade and just waiting for you to move in, are quite slim. It would be especially rare in a dense metropolis like Seoul, where efficiency, rather than beauty, often dictates construction plans. You could spend a lifetime hunting for that ideal house, or—like this resourceful homeowner—you could just make it yourself. With a bit of imagination and whole lot of guts, he remodeled an ordinary flat into the loft of his dreams, complete with a bonus attic.
And bold they were—going so far as to completely transform the apartment’s structure, something few homeowners in Seoul are willing to do. The process ended up being far more arduous than he had bargained for, but the result is a knockout. After several months of deconstructing and rebuilding (then deconstructing and rebuilding again) and scouring the market for the proper furniture and accessories, they ended up with a place that is equal parts sleek and cozy. There are still a few details here and there that need to be perfected, but for the most part, it’s a finished project. And thanks to an outstanding amount of creativity and ingenuity, it’s even better than he dreamed it would be.
Don’t be afraid to mix different shades of wood. It shows panache and feels more organic. The ladder and the globe pendants draw the eye up and show off the geometric ceiling.
This display wall is the first thing you see when you walk into the apartment, so it serves as a welcome sign and sets the tone with personal knick knacks.
The attic turned out to be the perfect spot for friends to hang out, drink wine, play some board games, and even crash if need be at the end of the night. It’s a favorite among visitors.
Punches of bright colors like the orange bolster pillows on the sofa lend personality and a focal point to the mostly masculine feel of the office.
A risky purchase that turned out to be the star of the living room. Modern felt rectangles add a tactile quality, making it the perfect statement piece (not to mention, it feels oddly pleasing to step on it).
The chances of finding the perfect home, readymade and just waiting for you to move in, are quite slim. It would be especially rare in a dense metropolis like Seoul, where efficiency, rather than beauty, often dictates construction plans. You could spend a lifetime hunting for that ideal house, or—like this resourceful homeowner—you could just make it yourself. With a bit of imagination and whole lot of guts, he remodeled an ordinary flat into the loft of his dreams, complete with a bonus attic.
For this media personality, signing on the dotted line was a no-brainer. In any normal circumstance, just because an apartment occupies the top floor doesn’t mean that you get any extra ceiling height. Even if there are striking architectural elements above, you wouldn’t know it because they would be obstructed by a flat ceiling. However, this homeowner was lucky enough to see his top floor digs before the ceiling was put in place, so he knew the potential that lay above the builders’ plans. He was immediately sold.
Finding the right designer came by happenstance when he inquired about a handful of unique recording studios he had visited. It turned out that they had all been worked on by the same person from a design firm called Inis Orm (이니스 오름). Even though the company doesn’t usually take residential clients, they agreed to take him after he reassured them that he would be willing to make some bold moves.
And bold they were—going so far as to completely transform the apartment’s structure, something few homeowners in Seoul are willing to do. The process ended up being far more arduous than he had bargained for, but the result is a knockout. After several months of deconstructing and rebuilding (then deconstructing and rebuilding again) and scouring the market for the proper furniture and accessories, they ended up with a place that is equal parts sleek and cozy. There are still a few details here and there that need to be perfected, but for the most part, it’s a finished project. And thanks to an outstanding amount of creativity and ingenuity, it’s even better than he dreamed it would be.
Don’t be afraid to mix different shades of wood. It shows panache and feels more organic. The ladder and the globe pendants draw the eye up and show off the geometric ceiling.
This display wall is the first thing you see when you walk into the apartment, so it serves as a welcome sign and sets the tone with personal knick knacks.
The attic turned out to be the perfect spot for friends to hang out, drink wine, play some board games, and even crash if need be at the end of the night. It’s a favorite among visitors.
Punches of bright colors like the orange bolster pillows on the sofa lend personality and a focal point to the mostly masculine feel of the office.
A risky purchase that turned out to be the star of the living room. Modern felt rectangles add a tactile quality, making it the perfect statement piece (not to mention, it feels oddly pleasing to step on it).
