Living in a world of consumerism and excess, these habits commonly translate into abundant decor. Sometimes though enough is enough. We want peace and calm when we return to our ‘nests’. We want less. Wanting less however does not mean we do not desire a welcoming home or comfortable furniture. No. Minimalism isn't about depriving ourselves of good design and home comforts, it's about allowing us to enjoy these very things by cutting out all of the noise. This small modern apartment located in Nõmme, Estonia, visualised by Ines Käärma, shows us where to begin our journey to a simpler interior scheme and how to connect our colour schemes.
In an open plan living room we find a simplistic layout where a neat sofa faces a wall mounted entertainment console with TV. To the right is a minimalist white kitchen with a sociable breakfast bar that seats four. In this space we find the introduction to a cohesive colour story that runs throughout the entire apartment, uniting each space as one uncomplicated idea.
On the upholstered modern sofa there is a selection of scatter cushions covered in bright shades of blue and yellow. The amount of colour used in this space is not overwhelming though, allowing the eye and mind to rest. A nearby floor lamp has a soft metallic sheen, plain floor-length curtains and window frames are white, as are all of the interior walls and long television console. An outdoor dining set takes advantage of the added exterior space.
All of the wooden elements inside the home are of the same light veneer, such as the shelving units, breakfast bar and stools and a square coffee table that has a shelf underneath for concealing magazines from clear view. The flooring is in matching birch too, which continues from the open plan lounge through into the kitchen.
The table lamp behind the sofa matches the yellow in the sofa cushions. The wall shelves themselves have their own built in strip LEDs as an added light source. The extra illumination allows a small collection of wine glasses to double as room decoration.
A single decorative plate on the coffee table and a throw on the footstool have hints of blue and yellow.
An area rug beneath the sofa and footstool pulls the colour scheme together.
A partially dividing wall between the lounge and the kitchen has a selection of kitchen cabinets built into it.
The kitchen is a flat fronted, handle-free design, with a matching white corian countertop. The wall cabinets are of the same plain white design, leading down into a coordinated white backsplash. Even the kitchen sink and freestanding coffee machine are ice white, only the built-in hob and integrated oven contrast with the scheme, standing out in basic black.
A humorous piece of modern art includes the hues used in the decoration of the home, it may even have been the inspiration for the palette.
A duo of differently shaped pendant lights adds a little subtle interest over the breakfast bar.
The bar stools are upholstered with blue geometric cushioning, which gives them cool contemporary style in an understated way.
Birchwood doors and picture frames line the hallway, opposite a row of hallway cupboards.
The handles of the hall cupboards are a leather strap that compliment nearby birchwood tone.
In the master bedroom the headboard wall has been painted in a soft shade of sky blue, contrasting with a sunshine coloured bedspread. The doors and handles of a built-in closet match those found out in the hallway
When opened, the bedroom closet has full length mirrors included inside each of the doors.
A white wall mounted sconce provides reading light over each side of the bed without cluttering up tabletops. The bedside cabinets are simple white wall mounted units, as is the dressing table that is teamed with a solid yellow and birch chair, and a simplistic flat round mirror.
The bedroom has its own ensuite bathroom.
Inside the bathroom we find more light woodtone and a blue mat. The vanity unit is mounted off the floor to assist with easy cleaning and to make the small room appear more spacious by keeping the maximum amount of floor space visible. Above the wall mounted vanity are four large mirror fronted cabinets, providing ample space to stow all of the necessary cosmetics and spare toiletries.
Down the hallway we can spy another sitting area.
A bold yellow accent chair awaits.
A yellow wall sconce lights the spot, along with a modern overhead light.
In the home office a blue sofa bed provides space for a guest.
A small selection of books are visible on high shelves but everything else is tucked out of sight behind a row of cupboard doors.
A yellow mat brightens a pale second bathroom.
A small corner vanity is a good solution for a small space, like this cloakroom located just off the entrance hall.
A frameless round mirror adorns one wall in the hallway.
A few floor units and an arrangement of shelving cubbies above a clear fronted fridge makes this spot into a home bar.
A white console with cupboards is wall mounted beneath the circular mirror in the hallway, making a nice little area for putting on outdoor accessories and checking one’s appearance before leaving the apartment.
