A Lawyer’s Mancave-Like Studio Unit
Interior designer Kenj So brought his expertise and trademark industrial style into the compact space with flair
Some designers have signature styles, an aesthetic they have mastered after working on a few projects that feature the same look. How do they keep things fresh and interesting? For interior designer Kenj So, it’s about taking into consideration the size of the space, getting inputs from fellow design professionals, and looking into new suppliers.
“This unit highlights a play on distressed beauty by mixing raw and loud textures with simple clean lines and finishes. My client, who is a lawyer, was very interested in achieving the modern industrial style,” explains Kenj.
In photo: The owner enjoying the bright and inviting feel of his unit.
It helped that the client gave his complete trust to Kenj and only requested to make the overall look masculine and industrial. Given the limitations of the pandemic, the interior designer collaborated with skilled builders architect Marty Kau and interior designer Kendilyn Kau. Kenj also turned to OLIOHAUS Custom Furniture to help with the pieces that will complete the unit. “IDr. Cha Ignacio-Salcedo has always been a pleasure to work with and she is very familiar with how I want things done,” Kenj says.
Take a peek inside the 31sqm studio unit below:
Unit Overview from the Bedroom
Kenj decided to have an open layout given the size of the unit. “I had to lessen the void spaces and turn it into accent pieces,” he shares. From this angle, you can see how he installed a full-length mirror at the back of the main door facing the work/dining area and the accent sliding door that conceals the T&B.
View from Main Door
It helped that the unit has a big window to let in plenty of natural light to keep the unit from looking cramped. The interior designer also brought in a couple of houseplants to add to the airy feel.
Work/Dining Area
The bar table with pipe legs by OLIOHAUS is a statement piece on its own. According to Kenj, it’s a folding table and he designed it in collaboration with the furniture store. The leather bar stools complement the wooden table.
Kitchen
In making sure this cooking area blends well with the unit’s overall look, Kenj decided to paint the cabinets in matte black then he defined the space above the overhead cabinets with bricks. Tying it all together is a black backsplash.
Bedroom
To maximize the available space, the interior designer also had to be creative in incorporating functional and multipurpose pieces. “A good example is my metal sliding door. It’s common to see swinging doors, however, it takes up space whenever you open it so I decided to turn it into an accent sliding door to save space,” he explains. In the photo above, you can see the sliding door on the right which leads to the bathroom.
In the sleeping area, Kenj played with the irregularities of the overhead pre-existing cladding to hide the pipes that ran through it. “I made a headboard with bricks, wooden pallets, metalworks, and pendant lights to give it character,” he shares. To complete the look, he also designed a bed with a padded leather headboard and pullout storage.
To maximize the natural light streaming into the space, the designer added a comfy chair where the owner can simply hang out to relax after a long day at work.
There are many pieces that will capture your attention in this unit. In addition to the striking TV console with a polished wood finishing, the closet on the right also stands out. “It’s a piece I fell in love with while sourcing. It’s reasonably priced and beautiful,” muses Kenj. He replaced the pre-existing closet with the said piece to give the owner more storage space for his belongings.
Bathroom
Kenj made sure to replace the fixtures in the bathroom to give it a luxe upgrade. Floating shelves that mirror the ones in the living and sleeping areas are seen in the T&B to achieve a cohesive aesthetic. The partition between the toilet and shower areas came with the unit.
Ready for your own home makeover? You can get in touch with interior designer Kenj So through email at idr.kenjso[at]gmail.com. You can also message him at (0977) 837-6541.
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Have you recently spruced up your room or renovated your home? We'd definitely love to see the result! Send clear photos (with your full name, city address, and accompanying kuwento) to [email protected] with the subject "DIY Makeover" and we may just feature your DIY project!
