A New Year = The Perfect Time for an Interior Design Makeover

As the New Year always brings with it the possibility of reinvention, for this first blog post of 2024 I thought what better way to illustrate the power of interior design than by sharing some images of a B Squared Design project that showcases the incredible results of a well-executed transformation. By utilizing before and after photos, the post will take you on a visual journey that highlights the remarkable changes possible through new construction, bespoke furniture, and inspiring material and color palette choices. Scroll on to see the dramatic makeover brought about by the power of interior design. It was so good, in fact, that we even won an award!

Living Room:

Below is the original view of the living room space in the apartment. It had unflattering yellow-tinted paint on the walls, an outdated airconditioning system and lighting, and 80’s style high gloss stone flooring that made the area feel cold and uncomfortable.

Now check out the After:

We painted the walls a crisp, clean white, changed the tiles to wooden floors, redid the aircon and lighting, and chose new furniture and drapery that was both sophisticated and kid-friendly.

Dining Room:

The dining room felt like an afterthought (more of a place that you would pass through to get to the living room) rather than somewhere to linger and spend quality time with family and friends over a good meal.

Now check out the After:

We added a built-in bench to anchor the space, and a beautiful new expandable marble dining table. Comfortable armed leather chairs complemented the new wood flooring and pendant light fixtures. The wall storage unit was completely redone to take it out of the 80’s and into the present with a clean Scandinavian vibe.

Kitchen:

The kitchen was a cold, dark, uninviting space that did little to spark the culinary imagination.

Now check out the After:

Hong_Kong_B_²_B_Squared_Interior_Design_-_Kitchen_after_renovation_new_cabinets_herringbone_backsplash_corian_countertop_wood_floors_ventilation_system_eat_in_kitchen — AFTER

We did a complete gut renovation, changing the plumbing, electrical, HVAC, flooring, cabinetry, appliances, countertops, and backsplashes. Now the kitchen feels, clean, fresh and bright, and is somewhere that any gourmet chef would enjoy cooking up a delicious meal!

Study/Gameroom:

The layout and entry point of this room was very haphazard, so it ended up being a space that was primarily used for random storage.

Check out the After:

Hong_Kong_B_²_B_Squared_Interior_Design_-_Study_Game_room_after_renovation_custom_bookshelves_double_desk_floor_rug_with_gaming_controller_pattern_blue_white_gray_color_palette — AFTER

By moving the entryway, we were able to completely change the flow of the room. Now it has clearly defined zones for reading, working, lounging, and gaming. It feels much more comfortable and has become one of the favorite hangout spaces for the kids when they invite friends over for playdates.

Master Bedroom:

This room also needed a full renovation in order to be transformed into a space that the parents could call their own private oasis after a long day of work and taking care of the kids. We removed everything, stripped down the walls, got rid of the horrible sponge paint “mural,” changed the flooring, and took out the unnecessary window trim overhang that made the room darker.

Check out the After:

Hong_Kong_B_²_B_Squared_Interior_Design_-_Master_bedroom_after_renovation_custom_closets_gas_lift_king_size_storage_bed_makeup_vanity_wall_hung_bedside_tables_sconces_new_blackout_curtains — AFTER

Now the Client has a true primary bedroom, complete with a king sized bed, floating bedside tables with internal plugs for electronic devices, plenty of clothing storage in beautifully detailed bespoke cabinetry, and sumptuous soft furnishings in shades of brown, blue, and gray.

Master Bathroom:

The bathroom was outdated and drab with terrible lighting and bad ventilation.

Check out the After:

Hong_Kong_B_²_B_Squared_Interior_Design_-_Master_bathroom_after_renovation_double_sink_wall_hung_toilet_matte_gold_fixtures_and_finishes_walk_in_shower_new_vanity_towel_storage_oval_medicine_cabinets — AFTER

We designed a stunning modern bathroom for the Client, with all new fixtures and materials. The walk-in steam shower and wall-hung toilet are worthy of any 5-star hotel, as are the matte gold accents and towel warmer.

Kids’ Bedroom:

The challenge of this space (beyond updating the dark and outdated wall coverings and the stained and water damaged flooring) was how to make it usable (and fun) for 4 children to sleep in at once.

Check out the After:

Hong_Kong_B_²_B_Squared_Interior_Design_-_Kids'_bedroom_after_renovation_custom_upholstered_bunkbeds_new_wood_floors_new_curtains_floor_rug_painted_wall_navy_blue_gray_white_color_palette — AFTER

What a difference two custom-built velvet upholstered bunkbeds make! We maximized the usability of the room by adding the beds, and then also added a clever wall-hung desk, bespoke reading nook within the clothing cabinetry, and chose movable furniture to lounge on.

Kids’ Bathroom:

The bathroom needed to accomodate 4 kids, and the old layout could only handle (at most) 2 people at a time. Furthermore, the colors and fixtures were completely outdated, which also made the room seem much smaller that it actually was.

Check out the After:

Hong_Kong_B_²_B_Squared_Interior_Design_-_Kids_bathroom_after_renovation_double_sink_wall_hung_toilet_matte black_fixtures_and_finishes_ double walk_in_showers_new_vanity_towel_storage — AFTER

The bathroom, like the kitchen, got a full gut-renovation down to the studs. We then designed a bathroom space that could actually work for four children at once, with two showers, double sinks, specific assigned drawers for each child, and a color palette that was contemporary and that could handle the inevitable wear and tear over time.

So there you have it, a full apartment “makeover” for the New Year!

The "Before" photos revealed rooms that were lacking in character and personality, with outdated furnishings and a monotonous color palette. The layoutouts were also inefficient, making it difficult to fully utilize the spaces.

The "After" photos tell a different story altogether: The transformation showcases a home that is now filled with life, warmth, and sophistication thanks to the magic of interior design.

Do you have a favorite “After” space in this flat? Let us know in the comments. And if you are ready to get started on your own New Year’s interior design makeover, schedule a Discovery Call with us. We are so excited to create amazing spaces for our clients in 2024!