Part 3 - The Heart of the Home: Finishing the Kitchen & Dining Area

If the upstairs bedroom is where the light softens and the solarium invites you to breathe, then the kitchen and dining area is where the studio truly comes alive. This is the space where people gather, talk, cook, sip, laugh, and linger, so its transformation had to strike the perfect balance between function, warmth, and character.

Before renovation, the ground floor was a long, raw corridor of exposed brick and unfinished concrete. The staircase created heavy visual weight, the lighting was dim, and the room lacked a focal point. It was a blank canvas, with great bones, yes, but still waiting for a purpose.

Today, this once-empty strip has become one of the most inviting corners of the entire studio: a cozy bar-style kitchen paired with a warm, stylish dining space where friends and guests naturally gravitate.

Before: Industrial Bones, Untapped Potential

In its original state, the entire kitchen area was a typical construction-era shell. Exposed brick covered one wall, the other was raw cement, pipes ran externally, and the staircase dominated the vertical space without contributing much visually.

It was dark. It was echo-filled. And yet, it had charm.

The exposed brick held history.

The depth of the room provided possibilities.

And that long stretch of wall? Perfect for something bold.

We knew instantly that this space wasn’t just meant to be functional—it was meant to be a stage.

After: A Warm, Lived-In Gathering Place

The new kitchen and dining area embraces a curated blend of vintage warmth and modern functionality. At the center is the bar counter, painted in a calm, deep blue that anchors the entire level. The countertop extends into a welcoming L-shape, perfect for casual breakfasts, evening wine, or late-night chats.

Rattan bar stools line the edge, adding natural texture and an easy, relaxed feel.Above, pendant lights cast a warm glow that softens the concrete and brick surfaces.Behind the bar, vintage black-and-white photographs create a gallery wall that adds soul and storytelling to the room.

The original exposed brick wall was preserved but elevated; no longer raw and forgotten, but now a dramatic, art-worthy backdrop. The new wood flooring pulls the entire space together, creating visual warmth and a soft, comfortable underfoot experience.

Walking into the space now feels like stepping into a small bistro, a jazz bar tucked away in an old city, or a cozy European kitchen where memories are meant to be made.

Keeping the Old, Elevating the New

One of the most meaningful elements of this renovation is how the original structure wasn’t hidden—it was celebrated.We kept the brick.We kept the cement.We kept the steel.

But we layered them with:

• Warm lighting

• Hand-picked vintage furniture

• Textured materials

• Soft color palettes

• Art that speaks to the space

The result is a kitchen area that feels both modern and nostalgic, refined yet lived-in, stylish but undeniably comfortable.

More Than a Kitchen: A Social Heartbeat

What used to be an empty, industrial hallway is now the studio’s natural gathering point. It’s where conversations begin, where visitors stop to admire the artwork, and where morning sunlight pours in from the restored front windows.

This space didn’t just get renovated, it got a new identity. It became the heart of Resonance.