2024-04-08 22:31:13
Jakub and Štěpán live together in Prague’s Vinohrady in a rented apartment, which after years seemed slightly neglected, so they decided to remodel it. They were satisfied with the layout and art nouveau elements, what they lacked in the apartment was individuality and a reflection of their taste. They started by scraping the walls, adding colors and adding designer pieces to the furniture with memories of the old days.
Jakub and Štěpán embarked on the renovation last year, and although they both like to travel, they now prefer to spend time together at home. “The most popular room in the apartment is the kitchen. There is enough space for a dining table, a large table and a grandmother’s sideboard, and even a pink piano. In addition, it is connected to the living room with classic double doors, so the whole space feels like one,” they describe Jakub Žoha and Štěpán Mareš, who are architects by profession.
They both like flowers, so there had to be a place for them in the apartment. The rooms are mainly in the bedroom oriented to the south side. “However, we also wanted them in other rooms, which is why we made a round pedestal on wheels, on which we placed metal cylinders. The flowers are in one place, they are treated to artificial lighting and at the same time we can dew them without worry,” Jakub is happy .
Interior of the year
The partners submitted the implementation to the Interior of the Year competition, which annually selects the best of Czech and Slovak design. All registered projects implemented in 2023 can be viewed on the competition website, where the public can choose their favorite. Voting ends on April 30. The overall winner will be announced by an international jury at the Living Forum congress on housing, design and architecture on Tuesday, May 14, at the DOX Center for Modern Art in Prague.
They knew that scraping off the white plaster was a risk. Neither of them knew what color was hidden under them. “We discovered a beautiful stucco plaster, which gave the apartment character. In places, we can see scars from cutting electricity, but we think it’s funny. We painted the plasters with penetration, which sealed the surface and gave them a velvety shine,” say the authors of the transformation.
There were too many old scratches in the hall, so the partners suggested painting it with a color that contrasts with the scraped walls. “Our hall makes us happy every day. We have blue walls, a ceiling, and even one door. The color symbolizes peace, trust and connection. To achieve a brighter interior, we oiled the sanded parquet floors with bleached oil,” says Jakub.