Explore the Onda Apartment: A Playful Reimagining of ’80s Style Living!

Nestled above the streets of Ljubljana, Slovenia, the 731-square-foot Onda Apartment stands out with its visually striking and artistic interior, which blurs the lines between a living space and an art gallery. The design, crafted by alto design studio, breathes new life into a 1980s era building, perfectly mirroring the vibrant and innovative style of its owner, a celebrated visual artist and graphic designer.

Originally, when the owner moved into the apartment during her teenage years, it featured typical 1980s design elements including compartmentalized rooms and dark, subdued décor. The renovation aimed to free the apartment from these dated elements without completely discarding its historical essence. The update skillfully integrates elements of the original structure with modern enhancements.

The renovation began with the removal of superfluous doors and walls, which opened up the apartment and allowed natural light to sweep across the space, transforming the once dim hallway and creating a seamless connection between rooms. This alteration in layout introduced a new airiness, replacing the old, cramped feel with openness and light.

Facing budget limitations, the design team made calculated decisions on elements to retain or revamp. The original oak parquet floors, worn from decades of use, were meticulously sanded, oiled, and tinted to a darker shade, which helped to maintain continuity and warmth throughout the space.

The kitchen underwent a complete makeover, starting with the installation of four large marble slabs sourced from Marmor Hotavlje, a Slovenian quarry known for its exquisite marble. The process of fitting these large slabs into the apartment through a small elevator was a challenge that required creative problem-solving. The finished kitchen strikes a playful yet grandiose tone, with its classic black-and-white checkered floor, peach cabinets, and a striking cherry-red faucet adding a dash of whimsy.

The apartment’s design philosophy centers on the interplay of contrasts. Natural materials like oak, cork, and marble juxtapose with synthetic elements such as glossy plastic chairs, Reform cabinet fronts, and the iconic Superonda sofa by Archizoom in bright red vinyl. This intentional contrast creates a dynamic space that is both warm and cool, organic and synthetic, timeless and modern.

Visual textures are also a key component of the design. A storage wall adorned with bold black-and-white stripes features randomly placed spherical knobs, offering both a graphic and tactile experience. Daylight is softly diffused by curtains, while pink-painted pipes stretch across the walls, turning ordinary plumbing into delightful decorative elements.

The living area is the heart of the apartment, where the essence of the space is most profoundly expressed. Centered around the Superonda sofa, a flexible 1960s design piece, the room is ever-evolving, much like an art installation. The owner’s personal artworks decorate the walls and are displayed on pedestals, enhancing the feel of a private gallery.

In the bedroom, the artistic theme continues with bedding that mirrors the striped pattern of the storage wall, and pink pipes that add a pop of color and fun to the space.