How Did Hana Salley Modernize a 19th-Century Vienna Apartment?

December 13, 2024

Returning to her roots in Vienna from London, Hana Salley, an interior designer, embarked on an exciting and transformative journey to rejuvenate her family’s 19th-century apartment. Nestled in Vienna’s third district, this 1,000-square-foot space had been in her family for generations and was originally owned by her grandfather’s uncle, a Holocaust survivor. The apartment had most recently been occupied by an elderly opera singer who left behind layers of eclectic and ‘kitschy’ decor. With a keen eye for design and a strict budget, Salley saw the potential to see beyond the existing decor while carefully selecting elements to preserve. Her vision encompassed refreshing the apartment with a modern touch while respecting its historical character.

The apartment’s fascinating history and unique architectural features provided Salley with an inspiring backdrop to commence her work. She approached each room with meticulous consideration, blending old and new elements to create a harmonious living space that reflects her personal taste and professional expertise. By preserving key historic aspects and introducing contemporary elements, Salley ensured that the apartment retained its charm while becoming a functional and stylish haven. Let’s delve into the specific transformations she made to this remarkable space.

Revamping the Kitchen

Modernizing a Cramped Space

The kitchen, a vital yet often overlooked space in many older apartments, was Salley’s first major project. It was originally cramped, dark, and outdated, evoking the ambiance of an old pub rather than a warm, inviting culinary space. Recognizing the potential for a significant transformation, Salley envisioned a modern and bright kitchen that aligned with her Scandinavian aesthetic preferences. The decision to adopt a monochrome scheme was pivotal in achieving the desired look and feel.

Salley’s choice of custom grey cabinetry from Nowak Design Küchen brought a sleek and sophisticated touch to the kitchen. She complemented this with oak herringbone flooring, which not only added visual interest but also enhanced the room’s sense of space. Bentwood chairs by Fameg and a solid oak table by Made contributed to the kitchen’s welcoming and contemporary ambiance. Struggling to find affordable artwork that matched her vision, Salley took matters into her own hands, painting an ultramarine piece herself. This personal touch injected a vibrant contrast into the otherwise subdued design, reflecting Salley’s innovative spirit and individuality.

Adding Personal Touches

Beyond the essential structural changes, Salley’s personal touches in the kitchen underscored the importance of attention to detail in any renovation project. Her decision to create and incorporate her own artwork not only ensured that the space resonated with her unique aesthetic but also showcased her talent and creativity. This approach set the tone for the rest of the apartment, where every corner bore her signature blend of modern functionality and personal flair.

The thoughtful selection of furniture and finishes bridged the gap between old and new, creating a cohesive look that honored the apartment’s history while making it suitable for contemporary living. Salley’s renovation of the kitchen exemplified her ability to balance aesthetics with practicality, resulting in a space that was as beautiful as it was functional. This careful deliberation and meticulous execution would go on to influence the rest of her renovation journey, turning a dated apartment into a stylish family home.

Navigating Unique Architectural Features

Living Room Challenges

Old Viennese apartments are renowned for their distinctive architectural features, such as arches and double doorways, which present unique challenges in terms of layout and design. Salley’s living room, for instance, needed to function both as a corridor and a social gathering space, requiring strategic furnishing placement to maintain this dual purpose. She masterfully arranged her pieces to ensure a seamless flow while preserving the room’s multifunctionality.

By placing a mustard sofa from Westwing facing a fireplace, Salley created a cozy focal point that invited conversation and relaxation. Ensuring ample walkway space, she balanced functionality with aesthetic appeal. The living room’s mixture of design elements paid homage to various historical movements prominent in Vienna, including mid-century, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco styles. A vintage bar credenza by Miroslav Navratil and a pendant light by HouseOf further enhanced the room’s charm and character. These choices not only respected the apartment’s heritage but also demonstrated Salley’s expertise in curating a space that felt both timeless and modern.

Embracing Retro Aesthetics

Initially hesitant, Salley found inspiration in the living room’s original red ceiling wood paneling, using it as a starting point to explore retro aesthetics. Recognizing the potential to integrate this feature rather than conceal it, she decided to embrace it wholeheartedly. This led her to choose jewel-toned furniture that harmonized with the paneling and complemented the mid-century style prevalent throughout the room.

This creative decision also provided an opportunity to incorporate elements of Art Nouveau and Art Deco, reflecting Vienna’s illustrious design history. By blending these styles, Salley crafted an eclectic yet cohesive look that underscored her respect for the apartment’s legacy while injecting her modern sensibilities. The living room ultimately became a testament to her ability to harmonize old and new, showcasing a skillful blend of historical reverence and contemporary design. This thoughtful approach set a precedent for how Salley would handle the other unique architectural features throughout the apartment.

Bedroom Transformation

Integrating Existing Elements

The bedroom, like the rest of the apartment, presented its own set of challenges and opportunities. Salley worked around the pre-existing drama and glamour-focused wallpaper left by the former tenant, a task that required a delicate balance of retaining the room’s unique charm while making it her own. She integrated a dusty pink rug and repurposed a desk into a vanity, channeling a French boudoir vibe that elevated the room’s elegance.

Salley’s thoughtful integration of vintage elements, such as the mysterious lemon tree tiles, played a crucial role in maintaining a sense of continuity throughout the apartment. By pairing these tiles with a print by The Dybdahl Co., she created a visually cohesive space that tied different rooms together through color and design. This meticulous attention to detail ensured that each room felt connected and harmonious, reflecting her overarching vision for the apartment. The room’s transformation was further enhanced by the careful demolition of additional built-ins around the fireplace, which opened up the space and highlighted the refurbished mantel and hearth.

Opening Up the Space

The decision to demolish the additional built-ins around the fireplace had a profound impact on the bedroom’s aesthetic and functionality. This change drew attention to the beautifully refurbished mantel and hearth, making them focal points in the room. The resulting open space was more inviting and usable, aligning with Salley’s goal of creating a living space that was both practical and stylish.

Throughout the renovation, Salley’s ability to integrate existing elements and introduce new ones with equal finesse was evident. Her approach in the bedroom exemplified this skill, as she retained the kitsch essence with globe-shaped bedside lamps and a pendant by Made that complemented the existing dusty pink wallpaper. The once-polarizing floral wallpapered built-ins became a celebrated highlight, often admired by visitors for their uniqueness. This transformation demonstrated Salley’s vision and success in merging eclectic vintage charm with contemporary sensibility, creating a bedroom that felt both timeless and modern.

Complete Gut Renovations

Kitchen Overhaul

Salley’s influence was particularly visible in the intense renovations of the kitchen and bathroom, both of which underwent complete gut renovations. Returning to her signature monochrome palette for the kitchen, Salley worked closely with Nowak Design to create a custom build that showcased her modern Scandinavian inclination. The inclusion of oak herringbone floors by Parkett Agentur added a sense of timelessness while reflecting Vienna’s rich design history.

The selection of thoughtfully chosen furniture helped bridge the gap between old and new, creating a harmonious space where historical elements and modern design coexisted. The custom grey cabinetry echoed the sleekness seen in her previous projects, but combined with the wooden elements, it paid homage to the apartment’s past. These choices not only updated the space visually but also ensured that it functioned efficiently for daily life. This meticulous planning and execution underscored Salley’s prowess in transforming spaces, making a small and outdated kitchen into a modern masterpiece.

Bathroom Modernization

The bathroom, another space that underwent a dramatic transformation, showcased Salley’s ability to combine style and practicality seamlessly. She opted for Gierer Stein terrazzo tiles for the floor and Aparici simple white tiles for the walls and backsplash. These elements created a clean and modern aesthetic, providing a stark contrast to the previously dated look. Functional modernity was brought in with IKEA’s vanity unit, mirror, and sconces, which were not only stylish but also perfectly suited to the needs of a family.

Expanding the bathroom by utilizing space from the entryway was a strategic move that enhanced usability without compromising the apartment’s overall design. Minimalist fixtures ensured an uncluttered look, contributing to a sense of spaciousness and tranquility. This transformation demonstrated Salley’s ability to reconfigure spaces creatively, making them more functional while maintaining an elegant and sophisticated appearance.

Balancing Preservation and Modernization

Harmonizing Old and New

Throughout the renovation, Salley expertly balanced preservation and modernization, ensuring that the apartment’s historic character was respected while introducing contemporary elements. The living room, for example, featured a mustard sofa and a sage green armchair by Made, referencing mid-century styles while integrating seamlessly with the overall design. The vintage Miroslav Navratil credenza-turned-bar tied the space together, highlighting Salley’s deft touch in combining different eras and styles.

This careful blend of old and new was a consistent theme throughout the apartment, showcasing Salley’s commitment to preserving its historical essence while making it a living space suited for modern needs. Her ability to identify and enhance key architectural features, such as the distinctive arches and double doorways, further exemplified this delicate balance. By honoring the past and embracing the present, Salley created a home that was not just aesthetically pleasing but also rich in historical and personal significance. This thoughtful preservation and modernization encapsulated her approach, resulting in a harmonious and dynamic living space.

Eclectic Vintage Charm

Returning to her roots from London, interior designer Hana Salley embarked on an exciting journey to rejuvenate her family’s historic 19th-century apartment in Vienna. This 1,000-square-foot space, located in the city’s third district, had been in her family for generations and originally belonged to her grandfather’s uncle, a Holocaust survivor. The apartment’s most recent occupant, an elderly opera singer, had left behind layers of eclectic and kitschy decor.

Salley, with a sharp eye for design and working within a strict budget, envisioned transforming the space while preserving its historical significance. She aimed to refresh the apartment with a modern touch without losing the essence of its past. Each room was approached with meticulous consideration, blending old and new elements to create a harmonious living space reflecting her personal style and professional expertise. By keeping key historic aspects and adding contemporary features, Salley ensured the apartment retained its original charm while evolving into a functional and stylish haven. Let’s explore the specific transformations she implemented to rejuvenate this remarkable space.

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