An Apartment Updated with a New Floor Plan and Vintage Furnishings

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Homework, an upstart interior design firm in Taipei, Taiwan, specializes in using plaster finishes and vintage furnishings to create hushed, self-contained worlds. A year ago, we featured a Tea House Built from Sentimental Objects and Homework’s own Bohemian Photo Studio. Today, we’re spotlighting an apartment in a 1990s building in downtown Taipei that the firm remodeled for a recently married young couple who are both in the fashion industry (the husband is a makeup artist and the wife works at Vogue Taiwan).

The husband had grown up in the 62 square-meter (approximately 667 square feet) flat—his parents and sister now live elsewhere, but the parents often come to stay and requested that their bedroom remain as is. Just about all else received a refresh, starting with the floor plan: “There were three bedrooms, two halls, and a small enclosed kitchen that blocked the natural light and air,” says Mindy, a member of the Homework team. “The first decision was to open up the subdivision and make full use of the sunlight from the balcony.” The living room now flows into a new kitchen in the center of the apartment, and the waxed pine doors introduced throughout make the rest of the world feel very far away.

Photography courtesy of Homework Design (@homeworkdesign_).

to enlarge the living room, the homework team enclosed one of the apartment& 17 — Above: To enlarge the living room, the Homework team enclosed one of the apartment’s two balconies. All of the walls and even the floors are newly finished in a tinted “dolomite plaster.” Read about plaster options in Remodeling 101: Modern Plaster Walls, Six Ways.

the designers turned the enclosed balcony into an arched alcove. 18 — Above: The designers turned the enclosed balcony into an arched alcove.

a collection of vintage finds stands opposite the entry, including a light from 19 — Above: A collection of vintage finds stands opposite the entry, including a light from an old film studio and a bentwood and rattan coat rack that was made in Taiwan. Homework Studio is the firm’s sideline business, a vintage shop offering furnishings and custom lighting, much of it assembled from old parts.

built in wooden shelves rise behind a canvas draped divan. we ourselves loving 20 — Above: Built-in wooden shelves rise behind a canvas-draped divan. We ourselves loving putting drop cloths to all sorts of uses: see 8 Easy, Low-Commitment DIY Projects with Painter’s Drop Cloths.

a curved wall &#8\2\20;adds a sense of flow&#8\2\2\1; from the entry to 21 — Above: A curved wall “adds a sense of flow” from the entry to the living area. The hanging light is a Homework piece made from an old glass shade.

thanks to the removal of partitions, the living room opens to the enlarged kitc 22 — Above: Thanks to the removal of partitions, the living room opens to the enlarged kitchen. The couple love to cook and wanted a space ideal for gatherings. The pine door leads to a new storage room; elsewhere, wooden doors replaced the existing aluminum ones.

the kitchen&#8\2\17;s painted wood cabinets were custom built for the space 23 — Above: The kitchen’s painted wood cabinets were custom built for the space. The vintage dining ensemble and storage shelves are Taiwanese pieces collected by the owners.

the countertops are terrazzo, a once popular finish that fell out of favor beca 24 — Above: The countertops are terrazzo, a once-popular finish that fell out of favor because it’s labor intensive. See it used in another kitchen in Chez Marie Sixtine and here’s a DIY Terrazzo Table.

this taiwanese modern chair came with its original upholstery. &#8\2\20;we 25 — Above: This Taiwanese modern chair came with its original upholstery. “We waxed the doors by hand to give them a warm color,” says Mindy.

the couple&#8\2\17;s small bedroom has a vintage rattan headboard, rosy pla 26 — Above: The couple’s small bedroom has a vintage rattan headboard, rosy plaster walls, and a view onto the remaining balcony.

the handmade ceramic lights are a new homework design—&#8\2\2\1;they 27 — Above: The handmade ceramic lights are a new Homework design—”they haven’t been put on the shelves of our online store, but can be bought at cooperative consignment shop Earthing Way,” says Mindy.

a whimsical vintage lamp with a pleated shade was selected because &#8\2\20 28 — Above: A whimsical vintage lamp with a pleated shade was selected because “it matches the color of the walls very well.”

Floor Plan BEFORE

the apartment had a small kitchen and a bedroom that had been converted into a 29 — Above: The apartment had a small kitchen and a bedroom that had been converted into a store room. The parents’ room and the two bathrooms were preserved.

Floor Plan AFTER

an improved flow, plaster finishes, and well selected vintage furnishings give 30 — Above: An improved flow, plaster finishes, and well-selected vintage furnishings give the apartment a new guise.

Here are some more projects that make inspired use of old and secondhand designs:

For shopping ideas, see our Gift Guide: When Secondhand is Better Than New

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Frequently asked questions

Who designed the renovated apartment?

The renovated apartment was designed by Homework Design, a design studio based in Taipei, Taiwan.

What is the design style of the renovated apartment?

The renovated apartment features a mix of modern and vintage design elements, with an emphasis on open-plan living and natural light.

Where is the renovated apartment located?

The renovated apartment is located in Taipei, Taiwan.

What was the biggest challenge of the renovation project?

The biggest challenge of the renovation project was maximizing space in the open plan layout, as well as integrating vintage furnishings and modern design elements.

What are some key design features of the renovated apartment?

Key design features of the renovated apartment include the open plan layout, vintage furnishings, reclaimed wood accents, and natural lighting.

What is the color scheme of the renovated apartment?

The renovated apartment features a neutral color scheme of white, wood, and shades of gray, with pops of blue and green in the vintage furnishings.

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