House Tour: A 450sqf shoebox apartment in East Coast with a luxurious, Cuban-inspired look!
By Home & Decor Team -
How do you transform a 450sqf shoebox apartment into a sophisticated bachelor pad? First, you start with your inspiration. And for the homeowner of this East Coast apartment, it is Ernest Hemingway's Cuban plantation home.
The bachelor had engaged Arjan Twilhaar (of interior design firm Aiden T), who created a masculine colonial design with tropical elements and mid-century modern furniture.
"The dining area sits in the centre of the home, with a vantage point through the library towards the open view. Off the dining room, a chill-out nook is created for the owners to listen to music or watch a movie," says Arjan.
To emulate a tropical landscape, the designer customised a Banana Leaf printed wallpaper for the powder room.
Instead of tearing down walls of this shoebox apartment, Arjan went for an enfilade layout; having several dedicated rooms create the illusion of a bigger space.
A large bookcase, in a dark finish, which complements the chevron American walnut flooring, houses the owner's books and knick knacks.
To create the illusion of more space in the kitchen, a wall is lined with an antique mirror wall. To achieve the chevron pattern, each mirror was individually set in a metal frame.
Arjan gave the kitchen dark rich green cabinetry; the grey, white and green marble brightens the space, while brass handles and a copper backsplash add a touch of luxury.
The master bedroom rocks a bold geometric pattern wallpaper. "I offset this with dark louvred wood doors and rich textures in the curtains. Orange and teals work hand in hand with dark woods and taupes – picking up the colours in the artwork and photography pieces in the space," shares Arjan.