Renovation of a Duplex in the Old Town
Two apartments stacked one above the other, a single building in the historic center, and a project that didn’t seem particularly challenging at first glance. Combining them created a duplex apartment that, however, demanded more than just connecting the floors. You expect all sorts of things in the Old Town, but probably not a rough concrete ceiling. It was precisely this clash between rawness and the almost salon-like “whipped cream” of the wooden window trim that gave the apartment its main tension.
Exposed Concrete and History
The main living area on the lower floor is the largest room in the entire apartment, and it is here that the contrast between old and new is most striking. After removing the drop ceilings, we exposed the raw concrete ceiling, which has become one of the interior’s key design elements. A new steel staircase runs through the center of the room, connecting both floors while naturally dividing the space. This creates a partition between the living area and the home office. We transformed the bay window into built-in seating, with massive bookshelves facing each other, complemented by marble cabinets with doors.
A bright floor one level up
The kitchen is located on the upper floor and is separated from the staircase by a glass partition. Following the darker and more dramatic living room comes the brighter part of the apartment. The white marble kitchen, light surfaces, and generous island create a clean and serene space. Adjacent to the island is a dining table with an atypical metal base that passes through the tabletop, adding a precise detail to the otherwise tranquil composition. The kitchen and dining area are not a separate, enclosed room but another level of a single interconnected whole.
A calmer, private area
We intentionally kept the private area of the apartment calmer. The master bedroom is decorated in shades of gray, the wall behind the bed features a trowel finish, and the entire space is defined by adelicate interplay of materials and light. The bedroom opens directly onto a walk-in closet, free of unnecessary flourishes and effects. Following the bold living area, a more subdued atmosphere takes over, giving the apartment the right balance.
A black-and-white combination without any unnecessary frills
The bathrooms feature a black-and-white combination of marble and black mosaic tiles. All furniture is custom-designed as a subtle steel structure with built-in cabinets. It is the details that matter here—the grilles, brackets, and frames are not hidden but contribute to the overall look of the space. As a result, the bathrooms do not feel like a catalog set but rather a fully integrated part of the entire interior.
Everything was actually “fine”
Another interesting aspect of this project is the condition in which we took over the apartments. The building had undergone a complete renovation in the early 2000s, and at first glance, both apartments seemed to function perfectly normally. It wasn’t a ruin, nor was it a dilapidated historic interior crying out for rescue. They were simply two relatively nice apartments with a design that you wouldn’t want today. And that’s often the most interesting part of renovations. You never quite know what you’ll discover beneath the surface, what’s worth preserving, and what can go without a second thought. That’s exactly why we enjoy renovating apartments.
Why we love renovations
Curious about how we approach interior design projects like these? Read more about it here in the section RENOVATIONS—it’s our favorite area of expertise.
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od Radky - 18. 4. 2026