A snug unit in an East Coast condo is reimagined by MET Interior as a serene, family-centric haven where minimalist design meets warm, tactile materiality.
19 May 2025
Home Type: 2-bedroom condominium unit
Floor Area: 800sqft
Text by Olha Romaniuk
In East Coast, a modest 800-square-foot, two-bedroom condo has been transformed by MET Interior into a stylish and soulful retreat that blends minimalist sensibilities with a strong sense of family warmth. Though modest in size, the home was designed for a family of three with a close-knit, home-loving lifestyle and a love for travel.
Having recently purchased the apartment, the homeowners approached the renovation with a desire to create a calming sanctuary where daily life could unfold with ease, and extended visiting family would feel welcome. With a tight timeline of just ten weeks, the goal was to craft a space that balanced comfort, function, and a design identity rooted in natural textures.
The initial design brief had several personal nuances. From the outset, the homeowners knew what mattered most: a home that felt cohesive and uncluttered, yet infused with character. Some standout requirements included integrating a Blaflink sofa as the heart of the living space, incorporating a standalone sink in the master bathroom, and creating a dedicated niche to house a water filter dispenser.
The kitchen, too, was a particular focus. With a Turbo island hood installed, the layout allowed for functional cooking sessions while maintaining a seamless visual connection with the rest of the living space. These practical interventions were layered into a larger conceptual direction that sought to evoke a sense of calm – what the MET Interior designer Ben refers to as a “subtle stone theme.”
A big challenge in incorporating strong design elements like cave-like edges lay in integrating the stone-inspired aesthetic without veering into heaviness. “The design leaned on clean lines and natural textures, but there were concerns about maintaining the textured walls – a reminder that simplicity often demands thoughtful balance between form and function,” explains the designer.
The solution lay in restraint. Walls were given just enough texture to catch the light, and natural materials were paired with clean-lined furnishings to retain a sense of visual lightness. Maintenance was also a key concern. To solve this, selected feature walls were treated with easy-clean finishes that retain the aesthetic but ease the upkeep.
Ben worked closely with the homeowners to experiment with a variety of finishes, carefully curating a palette that would bring warmth, softness, and a hint of raw tactility. From soft greys and warm neutrals to tactile surfaces, the material palette was chosen not just for its look, but for how it feels to the homeowners.
“To capture the essence of the clients’ vision, we carefully experimented with a variety of colour tones and furnishings, taking time to explore different combinations before narrowing down the perfect materials,” the designer shares.
What emerged was a home with gentle transitions – rooms that flow effortlessly into one another in an open-plan layout that merges the living and dining areas. Every element, from lighting placement to furniture layout, supports a kind of unspoken rhythm that complements the family’s habits.
At its core, this is a home built on intention. Every decision – from the placement of a water dispenser niche to the use of convertible spaces – speaks to the homeowners’ desire for a home that is functional, flexible, and filled with warmth.
MET Interior
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