Two tours around two open plan apartments that are distinctly masculine in approach, each with a grey, black and brown colour scheme. However, these two monochrome apartment designs do differ in their approach. Our first is a high contrasting affair with stark walls in predominantly darker notes, perhaps bordering on a minimalist aesthetic if not for a few frivolous knick-knacks here and there. The second of our home tours is a softer more sumptuous arrangement, with a slightly more mature or discerning air. Take a look around and see which of the two styles you might opt for if offered the choice.
The open plan living room combines a cooking, dining and lounge areas, where the upper kitchen wall is a dark grey backdrop of bricks. Lower cabinets and a double height unit lighten the mood in a smooth white finish for contrast. The chaise lounge sofa is positioned to divide the large room. A tan area rug defines the lounge area.
Dramatic charcoal coloured curtains frame the tall windows in this room. A low round black coffee table sits in front of the grey sofa to keep current books at hand, whilst a dual headed standing lamp lights the chaise from behind for comfortable reading.
The wall behind the TV has been painted in grey to echo of the kitchen wall at the opposite end. The low-level crisp white entertainment unit freshens the look. Decorative candles help soften the mood a bit. The only glimpses of high colour we find in the room comes from the bright red leaves of the two house plants and the piece of modern art on the adjacent wall. A typographical neon lamp delivers a glowing mantra.
The sudden hit of sunshine yellow and orange hues that are incorporated into the wall art adds a welcome vibrant touch to the dark moody decor.
Over in the entryway, behind the rack of outerwear is a huge mirror which reflects the living room, doubling the look of space in the apartment. A row of lower cabinets matches the white ones on the entertainment wall.
A tall wrap-around kitchen cabinet doubles as a bookcase in the centre of the home, along with a few shelves that are neatly concealed behind doors to store surplus items.
Above the four seated contemporary dining suite, two pendant lights give out multi-directional beams. The brown modern dining chairs resemble four pieces of delicate origami.
A wooden dining table ties in with the wooden floor beyond the kitchen-diner.
Kitchen task lighting comes as a row of low hanging spot pendants. A reflective backsplash adds a slick trim to the cooking space.
Doorways to the bedroom and bathroom lead straight off the entryway.
The master bedroom has an eye-catching cubic accent wall behind the headboard, another angular design reminiscent of origami techniques. The collection of three-dimensional panels are matte black, making the room appear deeper. A winged headboard hugs the head of the bed in sumptuous grey upholstery.
Behind the television in the bedroom, wood paneling warms the monochrome scheme. The wood effect, that matches the flooring, is flanked by two mirrors which bounce extra natural light around the space.
Two spotlights are suspended high above the bedside drawer units to aid nighttime reading. The bedside chests are perched upon slender metal legs. Allowing the floor space beneath units to see seen makes the room feel more spacious.
In the bathroom the textured wall tiles cover contrasting walls of black and white. A concrete vanity shelf holds a modern basin beneath a wall mounted chrome tap. A spotlight on a flexible repositionable arm illuminates the wash area.
Smooth black doors conceal storage above a concealed cistern, perfect for housing extra towels and toiletries. A modern shower cubicle nestles alongside it, with a square rainfall showerhead within.
LED lighting illuminates the perimeter of the floor.
A second bathroom uses the same monochrome colour palette.
Smaller tiles decorate this smaller space, in a half gloss, half matte effect.
A tall mirror, mounted above the rectangular basin, helps the tiny space feel more spacious.
Our second apartment, another grey and black scheme, is slightly softer in its approach and is peppered with cozy moments.
Here the contrast feels less stark. Light veins run through marble wall tiles and tones of mink give a much warmer look.
The warm white LED lighting shining over the entertainment wall creates a cozy glow.
The entryway leads straight into the living room in this open plan apartment. A small console has been wall mounted to provide a place to drop keys and charge a phone
A ceiling-mounted hanging fireplace warms the room, beside an oversized decorative log hutch.
The dining chairs have upholstered seats for extra comfort.
The same marble wall tiles that can be found in the lounge area have been used as a kitchen backsplash. The dining table light is a singular strip that lights the full length of the table yet has a barely there profile.
A deep and sumptuous mink coloured rug marks the start of the lounge area and the end of the kitchen-diner. The soft colour works perfectly with the soft woodtone of the flooring.
The kitchen cabinets are glossy to reflect the light from the window into the room. The dining table is amalgamated right into the kitchen central island to save space and create an interesting design feature.
