Design ideas inspired by European city flats
Crammed into our characteristic housing stock of narrow Victorian terraces and boxy purpose-built blocks of flats, those of us who live in British cities might well cast an envious eye at our neighbours in the rest of Europe. Many of the great European capitals were radically overhauled at the mid-19th or early 20th centuries: Hausmann's huge building project in Paris, for example, or the Art Nouveau buildings that are so coveted in the Scandinavian capitals. Often blessed with soaring ceilings and huge windows, courtyards and balconies, these apartments can embrace a totally different aesthetic to British flats.
From pared-back, minimalistic and functional Scandinavian design to the maximalist interiors of bohemian European artists and curators, these city flats all have that je ne sais quoi. Limewashed walls, arched doorways, painted ceilings, quirky antiques, statement wardrobes and oversized pendant lights are just some of the design ideas to take away.
Line T Klein1/20A painted ceiling and a bold colour palette create a striking space in this cool Copenhagen apartment.
In the living room, blocks of colour appear in the form of the teal green ceiling is painted in Early Spring by File Under Pop and the red artwork by Mathias Malling Mortensen. A sofa and bench, both by Finn Juhl, set the tone for the room. The black and white painting is by Tal R and smaller painting by Mads Hilbert - included in a pop-up gallery exhibition last year by Michael in 2021. The cupboard is the owner’s own design and was produced in collaboration with carpenter Blom Handcrafted. A selection of glass and ceramic items by Nina Nørgaard, Peter Shire and HAY decorate the space, along with a carpet by House of Dhurries and a striking ceiling light by Astep.
Courtesy of Serena Eller2/20This mirrored box sits inside this Rome pied à terre's master bedroom and is a genius idea for two reasons. Firstly, it houses the ensuite bathroom, while also hiding the wardrobe area to the right of it, thus creating three rooms in one. Secondly, the smoked mirror surface offers maximal diffusion for natural light.
Magnus Mårding3/20A recessed headboard and canopy create a snug sleeping area in the master bedroom of this graceful Art Nouveau apartment in Stockholm. The recessed alcove is a charming spot in which to display flowers or sculpture.
Magnus Mårding4/20Vaulted ceilings and a concrete floor create a serene hallway in interior designer Marie-Louise Sjogren's Stockholm apartment. It may look refined and like a gallery space but in true Scandinavian fashion it's practical, too: “All three children ride their scooters over these floors, they are quite happy,” jokes Marie-Louise.
Courtesy of Serena Eller5/20An antique Venetian lantern is a fun addition to this apartment in Rome. Large vaulted ceilings create a wonderful natural backdrop.
Line T Klein6/20This quiet space sits separate from the main living room, and is intended just for reading – or for retreating into.
The Noguchi lamp and orange chair by Verner Panton lend their rounded forms to the scene. The photo to the left is by Mads Juel, and a painting by Maria Wandel hangs on the other side. Explore more of this Copenhagen apartment.
Magnus Mårding7/20A flash of red from the striking wall sconce by Jean Royère immediately energises this calm, Scadinavian space. Under it is a Swedish Grace elm burl chair with a cushion in a cashmere velvet fabric by Pierre Frey.
Line T Klein8/20The first thing you notice in this chic bedroom is the large rice paper lamp by Isamu Noguchi. The second is the geometric wall tiles by H+O in the background, whose pattern picks up on the pattern of the paper lamp.
The ceiling is painted with Son of Mr Green by File Under Pop and the walls with Stones & Bones. Explore more of this Copenhagen apartment.
Courtesy of Serena Eller9/20Three different wall surfaces work together to create a cool and textural backdrop for this kitchen, in an Italian diplomat’s contemporary pied-à-terre in Rome.
Magnus Mårding10/20For hallway ideas look to the Scandinavians – in this striking Stockholm apartment interior designer Marie-Louise Sjogren uses a a vintage Murano chandelier as the centerpiece.
The French 18th-century table sits on top of a Swedish vintage rug. The daybed is by Josef Frank, upholstered ‘Shanghai’ fabric by Pierre Frey. The sculpture by Runa Bülow-Hübe.
Line T Klein11/20The ultra-modern, architect-designed dining table and chairs are a nod to this stylish European apartment's location.
The ‘Nyhavn' table is by architect, artist and designer Finn Juhl, produced by House of Finn Juhl. The column of handmade tiles features shades of yellow and white by File Under Pop. The dining chairs are by Swedish artist and architect Fredrik Paulsen and the yellow wall lamp artwork is by Anne Nowak. A Noguchi rice paper lamp hangs overhead, while candlesticks by HAY decorate the table. Various artworks by Malene Landgren, Frederik Næblerød, Bobbye Fermie and Jais Nielsen feature throughout. A bench with storage by Montana provides clever seating on the other side of the table.
12/20This Rotterdam apartment is full of collected treasures and finds. “We love going to thrift markets and auctions. We fall in love with items and have so far just bought the ones we like that are within our budget,” the owner says. The bright yellow metal Plopp stool is from Zieta, the red fruit bowl is from The DIRT, and the record player is a vintage Braun piece. “The glass cube cases that we use as coffee tables actually come from Boijmans van Beuningen, a beautiful museum a few blocks away,” the owner adds. “They had to close for renovations and so I asked if I could have some. We are really happy with them, as we were having trouble finding a nice coffee table.”
Courtesy of Serena Eller13/20The home office space in this contemporary pied a terre in Rome is dedicated to cinematic art with upholstered vintage theatre chairs (and a projector and motorised curtain hidden in the ceiling), and to writing, with Desalto’s Helsinki desk and an iconic Serbelloni armchair designed by Vico Magistretti for De Padova.
Magnus Mårding14/20Anyone can inject some European flair by way of a vintage Swedish rug. The original rug grounds the space, while the ‘Horse’ armchair is a fun and eye-catching statement piece. See more of Marie-Louise Sjogren's Swedish apartment.
15/20An Eames lounge chair and ottoman by Herman Miller gives this corner instant style points. Explore more of this Rotterdam apartment.
Magnus Mårding16/20If there's one design idea to take away from this Stockholm apartment's chic living room, it's to mix together different styles and eras for a layered look.
A ‘Liljevalchs’ sofa by Josef Frank anchors the sitting room, along with two 1940s Norwegian armchairs on a Swedish vintage rug. On the left a plastic armchair of unknown design and an ‘Aulanko’ armchair by Märta Blomstedt upholstered in a mohair velvet by Pierre Frey complete the scene. The floor lamp in the back is also by Josef Frank. To the left is a vintage writing desk by Josef Frank and a white ‘Horse’ armchair by Magniberg.
Simon Bergström17/20Sebastian Bergström's flat in Stockholm is both a joyful expression of his love of colour and pattern, and a demonstration of his remarkable efficiency with a small space.
The cabinet is painted in Farrow & Ball's ‘Oval Room Blue’, which Sebastian calls the perfect backdrop for his tomato-red chairs, which are painted in ‘Heat’ by Little Greene. An eclectic collection of vintage art and posters decorates the main wall.
Line T Klein18/20A floating bookcase makes an eye-catching feature in this cool Copenhagen apartment.
The walls, woodwork and ceiling are painted in Castle Made of Sand by File Under Pop. The low sideboard is by Tylko, and pillow by Durup. On the ceiling the pendant light is by Helle Mardahl. Wall art is by Frederik Næblerød, Cathrine Raben Davidsen and Richard Mortensen, bought in independent Copenhagen galleries and online art auctions.
Romain Laprade19/20The owner of this flat in Paris added the two archways himself, to create a feeling of softness in the low-ceilinged room. The archways link the living room to the kitchen and dining area.
Courtesy of Serena Eller20/20Amid contemporary design, artwork and travel treasures, architecture firm 02A transformed this Roman apartment in an early 20th-century mansion into a museum-like city pied-à-terre. The canary yellow lacquer and handleless cabinetry makes a fun feature in the compact kitchen.
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- Hallway ideas to make a great first impression
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