Renovation of the TIVOLI Apartment
Originally a spacious Art Nouveau apartment, it was forcibly divided into two units during the previous regime and gradually fell into disrepair. The renovation began from the ground up—repairing the floors, replacing damaged beams, and restoring the apartment to a single unit.
Very few original elements remained, so we recreated them. We complemented the coffered paneling, stucco, solid plank floors, and radiator covers with contemporary accents, minimalist furniture, and striking materials.
A Concrete Kitchen as a Standalone Feature
The kitchen is one of the most striking contemporary elements within the otherwise classic framework of the apartment. It is not merely “concrete-looking,” but is actually constructed from cast concrete slabs, including the drawer fronts. Precisely because of this, it does not come across as a flashy decoration, but as a heavy, precise piece of architecture inserted into a historic interior.
We intentionally left it without upper cabinets so that it would not act as another wall full of things in the open living space. Instead, there is a mirror above the work area, which visually extends the space and keeps the kitchen calm. Next to the concrete island stands a low section with a sink and a tall cabinet with appliances, which in appearance resembles an old wardrobe more than a classic kitchen set.
The dining room as the heart of the home
A dining table is exactly the kind of centerpiece around which an entire home begins to take shape. It is over three meters long, made of solid American walnut, and we let its natural cracks and irregularities stand out. These are held together by steel “butterfly” fasteners, so the table doesn’t look polished, but rather like a piece of material that has retained its strength.
A large light fixture hangs above it, helping to give the spacious room a sense of scale. The dining room is thus not just a place for a table and chairs, but the true center of the apartment—a place that holds the living space together.
Extending the living room
The living area is dominated by a black Victorian fireplace with a bio-fuel insert. We didn’t want a romantic decoration or a historical replica. We were looking for a simple, geometric shape that would retain the power of the original element but also hold its own in a contemporary interior. In the end, we had the frame shipped from Britain.
Another strong element of the space is the striking wall painting. Originally, we wanted to preserve only the scraped-off old paint, but new wiring in the walls would have completely destroyed the original design. So we didn’t abandon the idea; we just moved it elsewhere. The result was a relief painting inspired by film set backdrops, which was executed at the time by a craftsman from the Barrandov Studios. The living room opens onto a study separated by large sliding doors set into a casing. Here, too, we played with the details, and everything from the bookshelf to the handrails was custom-made.
Bedroom and Bathtub with a View
The bedroom has a unique sense of calm that stems more from its proportions and atmosphere than from the amount of furnishings. It also features a bathtub set in a bay window on a raised platform, allowing you to look out. It is precisely this detail that gives the space something extra—it is not just a bedroom with a bathroom, but a private nook that takes full advantage of the character of the old house.
Here, too, the principle of the entire apartment is repeated: the historical framework remains, but the new additions are unmistakably contemporary.
Second Bathroom and Guest Room
The second bathroom, on the other hand, is more enclosed and significantly darker. It features a trowel finish, white sinks, and white faucets, giving it an almost graphic look. It takes a different approach than the rest of the apartment, yet maintains the same consistency in materials and details.
The children’s or guest room is calmer and more minimalist, but even here we didn’t want to compromise on what makes a similar interior complete. The paneling, built-in furniture, and concealed radiator hold the entire project together, even in areas that aren’t the most striking at first glance.
The entryway: the first impression
The entryway is the first place where it becomes clear that the apartment’s renovation did not aim for a replica, but rather for precise new layers. The floor features a new stone mosaic made of three colors of marble with intricate borders, which evokes the house’s original floors but is not a literal copy of them.
We added contrasting fiberglass light fixtures suspended from the ceiling. It is precisely this clash between retro principles and contemporary details that we enjoy most about renovations.
A Desperate Original Condition
The original condition was dire. A divided apartment, added floors, ruined floors, missing details. But that is precisely why we renovate apartments and houses. It’s not about creating a new backdrop. It’s about restoring the space to what it once was—and supplementing it so that it can function today.
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.
— Pojďme se potkat!
Do you have a similar project you’d like to discuss with us? Fill out this brief questionnaire, tell us a little about your plans, and we’ll get back to you soon.
od Radky - 13. 4. 2026