Klamovka — an 80 m² apartment in a Prague 5 new build · warm minimalism for a family living between cities

This family doesn't have just one home. They live between cities, and Prague came into their lives because of a school for their two little daughters. Apartments like this usually stay purely functional — a place to sleep. We wanted the opposite: a place you'd rather come back to than leave.

That's why the interior is restrained almost to silence. A greige base with coffee depth, the achromatic “cashmere” of the kitchen fronts — grey with a warm sheen, without a hint of yellow. The super-matte surface doesn't shine or hold fingerprints: you want to touch it, and nothing gets spoiled. The ceramic worktop is white with a single subtle vein — stone that doesn't demand attention.

All the colour in this home is brought in by those who live in it. Flowers, of which there are always plenty. Children's things. People. The background has to be calm so they can stand out.

The brief

A frame-construction new build, 80 m², 3+kk, two bathrooms. Part of the developer's standard stayed in the project: wooden flooring, doors, bathroom tiles. The electrics were basic, with no lighting scenes. The client put the brief gently: light, modern, cosy. Only the deadline was fixed — move-in by mid-August, before the school year started.

The challenge

Keep the space light and calm — and still give it character without sliding into decoration.

Concept

A light base with a warm character, where everything superfluous is hidden in the joinery.

Solutions

Layout

The developer's layout worked, so we didn't change it. Just two targeted adjustments: a kitchen island that wasn't in the original plan, and a repositioned bed in the bedroom.

An island without tearing up the floor

The wooden floor was real and already laid — taking it apart to run power would have meant losing both time and material. We ran the cable through the slab from the apartment below: it still belonged to the developer, who was happy to help. The island got power and the floor stayed untouched.

A kids' room for two

The most demanding part of the project. Two beds for little girls — low, soft, safe, with no risk of falling out in their sleep. A long shared desk for two flows into storage for everyday things. One structure instead of a set of separate pieces: the room stays a room, not a furniture store.

Hallway

An oversized mirror visually widens the narrow space. Tinted display cabinets with interior lighting hold handbags, and a separate backlit niche holds shoes. Storage here isn't hidden but displayed: a glass cabinet commits you to order, and order really is kept here.

Lighting

The client wanted soft, even light — without a single harsh point. We designed three scenes: work, evening ambient and decorative. The character of the living room comes from two large Lodes lights by the sofa; we chose them together, over a long time — they are the only objects allowed to speak loudly.

Technology

To the developer's heat-recovery ventilation we added split air conditioning in every room — it was missing in summer — and connected it to the smart home. The Niko switches are programmed without chasing walls: even years after the renovation, the client can set up scenes alone, without calling a technician.

Joinery

The kitchen, hallway, wardrobes, wall panels and TV zone were made by one workshop as a single system. The upholstered furniture, an unusually shaped coffee table and a stool come from a young Ukrainian brand and were shipped directly to Prague. We chose the Lino Design bed with a slim headboard for the new position and the narrow passage.