My Houzz: DIY Love Pays Off in a Small Prague Apartment
Hard work and creative thinking turn a compact studio in the Czech Republic into a welcoming and cozy home
When designer Jaroslav Kašpar bought an apartment in Prague, he had no idea it would turn into a massive DIY project. For example, he found an original wood floor under the carpet, but it wasn't salvageable; he discovered a cool brick wall, but it needed a heavy dose of refurbishing. Kašpar decided to collaborate with his girlfriend at the time, architect Lucie Faturíková. "There was a lot of confrontation in the dialogue between us — architect and designer — but at the end we both benefitted from this experience," Kašpar says. The result is a spacious-feeling yet cozy open-concept home, with raw industrial elements like an exposed brick wall and ceiling beams. "The greatest joy for us was the adventure in searching for the heart of the apartment," Faturíková says.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jaroslav Kašpar
Location: Žižkov, Prague
Size: About 50 square meters (538 square feet)
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jaroslav Kašpar
Location: Žižkov, Prague
Size: About 50 square meters (538 square feet)
AFTER: It took great effort to restore the brick wall, but they made the most of it, especially with some of the holes they found. Kašpar's passion for collecting and refurbishing old and used furniture pieces served the overall design. The red chair in the previous photo is still waiting for a makeover.
They created two wine storage nooks out of concrete blocks found at Kašpar's grandmother's home.
They created two wine storage nooks out of concrete blocks found at Kašpar's grandmother's home.
Kašpar works from home, so he paid special attention to making his desk inviting by anchoring it in planters filled with soil and Zamioculcas zamiifolia (aka ZZ) plants.
Kašpar used more hevea wood to create a windowsill and a custom cover for the radiator.
Small shelves under the bed hold a library and double as steps.
AFTER: The couple enclosed the space, adding a sliding frosted-glass door as another space-saving element.
Kašpar found the vintage radio and stand at a flea market.
Kašpar found the vintage radio and stand at a flea market.
This vintage vacuum cleaner came from a flea market, too.
Aqua tile and ipe lapacho wood, a Brazilian walnut, create contrast in the bathroom. The wood was originally intended for a dining table, but Kašpar found it too heavy to move, so he made use of it around the bathtub.
Tiles: Tribeca Azul, Keraben
Tiles: Tribeca Azul, Keraben
When a construction worker accidentally drilled a bigger hole in the tile than was needed, Kašpar and Faturíková installed this glass "shower" circle to cover the hole and save money.
A slit in the mosaic tile vanity conveniently and artfully dispenses toilet paper.
See more photos of this home
See more photos of this home
Kašpar and Faturíková refurbished the structural beams and repaired the brick wall, leaving the beams exposed. "We saw handwritten notes from construction workers on the beams," says Kašpar. These industrial and architectural elements work perfectly with the modern and budget-friendly Ikea kitchen.
Countertop: custom laminate, natural aida walnut finish