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Anatomy of an Apartment Design: Before and After

This apartment from Interior Designer Esther Dormer is proof that even the smallest of spaces can pack a big (and stylish) punch!

Β· By Jenna von Oy Bratcher
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We don’t often have an opportunity to highlight small space transformations β€” the delicate balance of infusing tight quarters with texture and depth without causing it to feel overcrowded or overstated. But interior design is all about creating flow and connection, no matter how sizable or compact a space is.

Although this design project is located outside our typical Southern focus (in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), it’s a stunning example of how a small footprint can turn into something unique, artistic, and functional. We spoke to Interior Designer Esther Dormer to find out how she maximized space to uplevel an old-school one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment. You won’t believe this before-and-after!

Alternate angle of a living room that looks into an apartment kitchen.Pin
Designer Esther Dormer merged modern and midcentury components to make the most of this Pittsburgh apartment.

Before we get further into the enchanting details of the apartment renovation, it’s worth taking a look at its former life as a wallpaper-filled space in need of a major makeover. Wait until you see the transformation!

BEFORE: Can you believe THIS outdated midcentury apartment…

Before image of apartment kitchen with wallpaperPin
In its former life, the kitchen featured dated wallpaper and cabinetry along with older appliances.
Before image of apartment living room with oldschool art on the wallsPin
While the living room offered plenty of light, the full-floor carpet made the room feel smaller.
Before image of the master bedroomPin
A stagnant bedroom begged for some inspiration.
Before image of an apartment bathroom with floral wallpaperPin
Dark floral wallpaper made this bathroom appear narrow and dark.

… was transformed into THIS modern beauty?!

Beginning with the kitchen, Esther removed a closet (and tons of dated wallpaper) to create a more open floor plan. β€œI took it down to the studs,” she says of the overhaul. She installed a black-and-white tiled floor throughout the apartment for consistency and a dose of glamor.” I think it’s classic and kind of transcends some of the trends,” she tells us of the flooring choice. β€œI wanted it to be as open and luxurious as possible in the small space.” She also created a drop ceiling for more depth, adding brass lighting fixtures, gold trim, wood elements, and lucite and brass hardware for warmth.

Esther added top and bottom cabinetry to maximize storage and extended the kitchen by continuing a quartz countertop past the original footprint for more entertaining space. She also chose thoughtfully when it came to the backsplash. β€œI chose the honeycomb black marble tile, then went to a straight tile that almost looks like icicles. I liked the variation of the two; I think it made the room appear a little larger.”

Small apartment kitchen with black-and-white tile floor.Pin
β€œWhen you have a small space, the more texture you add, the more interest you get, and you kind of forget about the smallness of the area,” Esther tells us. β€œIt’s kind of like when you eat a small amount of food, but it’s really rich. You feel satiated without needing that much of it. I try to apply that to design by layering the luxury.”
Close-up of a black-and-white kitchen with red apples on the counterPin
Hair-on-hide stools add warmth to the quartz countertop from Y&Q Home Plus, while various tile patterns from The Tile Shop add depth.

In the main living space, colorful artwork and a cozy aesthetic abound. A whimsical-yet-chic feather fixture hangs overhead, while a velvet couch delivers homey comfort. A rug from Flor is not only pretty but practical. β€œThey’re carpet squares,” offers Esther. β€œI have them in my own home because they’re so versatile. If somebody ruins one, you just get another one!” She adds, β€œThe rug grounds [the room] a little bit and announces, β€˜This is the lounge area.’ Carpets are great for telling us the focus is changing.”

Pots from Toadflax contain greenery for a pop of color, and a wooden hand-shaped accent chair brings in a playful vibe.

Living room featuring animal print rug on the tiled floor, colorful artwork, and a feather light fixture.Pin
β€œI wanted to make it swanky and glamorous,” Esther says of the main living space. β€œThat low furniture has a loungy feeling to it, so I used a lot of marble and hardscape mixed in with velvets, a big feather lamp, and mirrors.”
Credenza with Hindu Goddesses on either side of a rectangular hanging mirror.Pin
β€œThis credenza is a series of two cabinets that I bought,” says Esther. β€œI pushed them together and secured them in the back. I also put a little shelf below the mirror. It’s off-center to add a little interest.” Adding exotic statues and a vignette of orange bowls completed the space.

In the primary bedroom, warm gold accents offset the black-and-white theme, with various rustic elements to ground the space. A wonderful rolling breakfast tray offers the perfect spot for sipping coffee, reading a book, or working from home. β€œI took a chance and did the wall in a matte tile,” says Esther of the atypical bedroom wall that boasts hexagonal tiles rather than a wall covering or paint.

Master bedroom with a tiled wall behind a hide-on-hair headboard.Pin
Gold pillowcases from West Elm stand out against the hide-on-hair headboard that Esther built herself. β€œIn any design I do, I have natural wood, rustic elements, hair on hide, and velvet,” she tells us.

The apartment’s only bathroom was completely gutted, including removing a wall. Esther added a double vanity to replace the previous single sink, and a rich granite countertop was installed for added depth. β€œI added wood shelves with a little brass β€” a little rustic to offset all of the hardscapes,” says Esther. β€œI intentionally did one mirror instead of two because I wanted the drama of one big focal point.”

Bathroom with oval mirror above ornate white double vanity.Pin
Wallpaper from Spoonflower adds yet another eye-catching feature to the beautiful bathroom. Wood composite floors add contrast. β€œA marble floor in the bathroom is gorgeous, but it’s a lot more slippery,” says Esther of her selection.

A special thanks to Craig ThompsonΒ for the photography.

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For more inspiration from interiors across the South, check out ourΒ HOME FEATURES ARCHIVE.

Jenna von Oy Bratcher

Jenna von Oy Bratcher

Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Editorial Operations Manager and Lead Content Editor. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.

See all articles by Jenna von Oy Bratcher
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