A low budget redo

Anna from Romania emailed about a very low budget project she worked on recently for a friend. This friend owns a gelateria in the old center of Bucharest and wanted a change to the decor. Here are some details from Anna as to what went down: I must say that originally the place was too much orange for my taste. If I had to dislike a color, that would be definitely orange. So I got some headache, trying to figure out how to trick that orange, without getting rid of it. Anyway, my strategy was to use other colors and shapes that catch the eye, before it gets to the orange. And I ended up actually loving the bits of orange that are still very visible. I used as much as it was possible recycled material to decorate the place. A wall right next to the entrance and a transversal one has been covered up with old book pages. The brownish edges of the books kind of make the orange blend into the whole picture. A big mirror that was already on the wall has been framed with all types of frame rest pieces kindly donated by a framing shop. We used some of this frame pieces also to spice up the book shelves we build from scrap wood and painted in mouse grey, to link it to the old beams on the ceiling. A purple velvet curtain covering the entrance into the kitchen but also communicating with the glamorous chandeliers, a vintage clothing hanger, some transparent glass lamps from IKEA and a little bit of styling and repositioning, transformed the whole thing into one cozy, more coherent, welcoming space. I think the final product is certainly cosier and looks more finished. Great job Anna!!

Here are a few before shots:

  

And here is the result of Anna's craftiness (more after the jump)!

Comments

[Julie Khuu]

Such an old world look and vibe! Love it when designers age a space to make it relevant for today...go figure. Fantastic redo!

xo-Julie
Peace. Love. LOL!

[Anna]

Thank you so much for this post and for the nice comments! :)

[Miya @ Design Indulgences]

I love it. I love the whole "wall paper" look. It really gives the wall texture...

[Raluca]

Felicitari Ana pentru rezultatul final si pt placuta surpriza pe care mi-ai facut-o sa vad un designer roman pe blogul meu preferat!

I was just telling Anna that I'm very pleased to find a romanian designer on my favourite blog. I will certainly go visit that place the next days. Congrats!