Riga Family Home Renovation
Riga | Residential | 2023
This residential family apartment is located in the heart of Riga’s Art Nouveau district, designed in collaboration with Latvian interior designers Raimonds Siferis and project manager Janis Veveris. The design concept was inspired by traditional American interiors, reflecting the client’s many years spent living in the U.S. The space combines cherry wood and repurposed furniture from the client’s previous homes, blending personal history with timeless design elements.
The design process began with a consultation to understand the client’s lifestyle and how to reflect their history and personality within the space. Our primary goal was to create a space that felt both comfortable and sophisticated, integrating American traditional design elements with the unique charm of Riga’s Art Nouveau district. We carefully selected materials, including high-quality cherry wood and incorporated personal items, such as repurposed furniture, that added both emotional value and design cohesion.
We worked closely with the client to select fabrics and furniture that would create a timeless atmosphere while ensuring functionality. The design also included bespoke pieces, such as an extendable dining table, custom kitchen furniture and storage elements in private areas of the apartment, including wardrobes and beds. These bespoke pieces were created with both the client's style and practical needs in mind.
One of the challenges in this project was balancing the historical and personal elements with the need for a modern, functional living space. We addressed this challenge by carefully selecting pieces from the client’s collection and upcycling them by updating the fabric and reinterpreting them to fit the modern design. The cherry wood and repurposed furniture were integrated seamlessly into the overall design, honouring the client’s memories while enhancing the apartment’s aesthetic appeal.
Another significant challenge was the integration of two apartments into a single, cohesive living space. We worked with an architect to combine the two units by designing a new internal staircase that ensured a seamless flow between the floors. This involved optimising both the layout and functionality to create a unified space, improving the overall flow without compromising the character of the building.
An additional element of this project was designing the terrace and collaborating with a gardener to maximise the outdoor space. By incorporating greenery and functional outdoor furniture, we were able to create a tranquil retreat that complements the interior design.
The dining area is centred around a bespoke extendable table in rich cherry wood, designed to adapt from intimate family meals to larger gatherings. Its leg is finished in spray bronze paint, chosen for its warm metallic tone and its ability to age gracefully - developing patina and character over time, much like solid bronze.
Above the table, we selected a black matt metal OLEV LED Overfly Plus pendant , whose sculptural form and soft, diffused glow create an inviting atmosphere for dining. Surrounding the table, Connubia Calligaris Tuka chairs in warm grey fabric offer comfort and complement the depth of the cherry wood, completing the space with understated elegance.
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The kitchen island serves as a multifunctional hub, offering storage, prep space and a casual spot for quick meals. To visually balance the strong presence of the cherry cabinetry and granite surfaces, we selected a set of three slim, understated matte black metal pendants above the island.
This quiet design choice softens the overall composition, allowing the craftsmanship and materials of the island to take centre stage while maintaining a harmonious flow with the rest of the room. For seating, we opted for Connubia Calligaris Tuka barstools - matching the dining chairs in form but finished in supple leather upholstery for a refined contrast with matching matte black metal legs.
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The bespoke kitchen is crafted entirely from custom cherry wood joinery, chosen for its timeless warmth and durability. An integrated wine appliance is built seamlessly into the cabinetry, combining functionality with a clean-lined aesthetic. The granite worktops introduce a natural, tactile contrast, while carefully selected matte metal hardware complements the joinery without overpowering it. All major appliances - including the cooker, oven and fridge - are fully integrated to maintain the streamlined design.
Subtle LED strip lighting is built into the underside of the counters, adding a soft, moody glow that enhances the warmth of the materials and elevates the kitchen’s inviting atmosphere. Every detail, from the placement of the handles to the texture of the stone, was considered to ensure the space feels both highly functional and visually refined.
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In the liminal space between the living room and kitchen, we gave new life to cherished furniture pieces by reupholstering them in luxurious Pierre Frey silk fabric - preserving their sentimental value while updating them for a contemporary setting. Beside them sits a custom-made side table, its leg profile echoing the silhouette of the extendable dining table. The tabletop is crafted from the same stone used for the living room’s built-in furniture shelf, creating a subtle yet deliberate connection between the two spaces.
On the adjacent cherry wood-panelled wall, we installed a vintage convex mirror positioned to face the terrace and street beyond. Its curved form captures and reflects the surrounding scenery back into the interiors, adding both visual interest and a poetic link to the world outside. Together, these elements layer personal history, craftsmanship and thoughtful detailing into a cohesive, narrative-rich space.
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The living room is anchored by a large bespoke built-in unit in cherry wood, featuring a stone shelf and an integrated fireplace - a focal point that unites warmth, texture and discreet storage. The clean architectural lines of the joinery are softened by the addition of the sculptural Julep sofa and Julep Swivel armchair, whose curved silhouettes create a gentle contrast against the structure’s precision.
The upholstery tones of the sofa and armchair were carefully chosen to complement the surrounding materials - the rich cherry wood, the natural stone of the shelf and the broader interior palette. Even in its work-in-progress state, the balance of form, function and materiality is already evident, promising a finished space that will feel both inviting and visually striking.