Design story: furnishing a timeless city apartment
Apr 9, 2025
As part of ELKE Mööbel’s interior design consultation service, an elegant and cozy city apartment was recently completed, featuring a variety of timeless design classics combined with functional, well-thought-out solutions.
Photos: Märt Lillesiim
The interior design of the apartment was done by interior architect and project manager Seili Laidmaa, who, on a daily basis, helps ELKE Mööbel’s residential clients in furnishing their homes.
According to Seili, one of the influences on the selection of furnishings was the apartment's location. “The surroundings of the apartment building are industrial, and the building’s architecture reflects that as well. Therefore, the interior of the apartment ended up being rather streamlined, featuring just the right amount of furniture with nothing excessive,” Seili explains.
The chosen products emphasize the client’s design awareness and refined taste. “The furniture and lighting are timeless, yet full of character and personality. Among the pieces, you’ll find many design classics that create an elegant, balanced, and quietly luxurious atmosphere.”
Foreground: GUBI Dining Table, GUBI Violin chairs and GUBI Multi-Lite pendants; background: GUBI Flaneur sofa, WOUD La Terra coffee table, &TRADITION The Moor rug, TREKU Lauki sideboard and GUBI Pacha lounge chair
In this very sunny and light-filled apartment, creamy and natural tones take the lead. To add a touch of vibrancy, mustard yellow appears here and there, while black window frames, selected details of furniture and lighting, and black blackout curtains provide contrast and accent.
Creamy GUBI Flaneur sofa, WOUD La Terra coffee table, &TRADITION The Moor rug, TREKU Lauki sideboard and and GUBI Pacha lounge chair
Yellow Madison sofa bed by SOFTLINE
Seili highlights the timeless Multi-Lite pendants by Gubi above the dining table, known for their movable shades. The client already had these lights in their previous home and wanted to use them again in the new apartment. As a result, these pendants became the foundation for the entire interior concept, guiding all other design choices.
GUBI Dining Table, GUBI Violin chairs and GUBI Multi-Lite pendants
“Pacha lounge chair with a swivel base, perfect for relaxing, and the slender Stem floor lamp by Gubi are both design icons with beautifully organic, rounded shapes that serve as eye-catchers in the interior,” says Seili.
“They’re complemented by the ultra-soft Gubi's Flaneur sofa, Woud's La Terra coffee table with an asymmetrically rounded travertine stone top, and The Moor wool rug by &Tradition with a silvery pearl sheen. Together, their shapes and textures subtly enhance the presence of the Pacha chair and Stem lamp without stealing the spotlight.”
GUBI Flaneur sofa, WOUD La Terra coffee table, &TRADITION The Moor rug, TREKU Lauki sideboard and and GUBI Pacha lounge chair
AUDO COPENHAGEN Wire plant pot and GUBI Stemlite floor lamp
Gubi's Dining Table and Violin dining chairs on the kitchen side add a touch of elegance and timelessness to the interior.
GUBI Dining Table, GUBI Violin chairs and GUBI Multi-Lite pendants
GUBI Dining Table, GUBI Violin chairs and GUBI Multi-Lite pendants
Seili points out the Kutxa console table by Treku, placed next to the front door, as a great find.
“Kutxa is a very practical choice for the hallway—it offers ample storage, yet thanks to its dimensions and design, it doesn’t feel bulky in the airy apartment,” she explains.
TREKU Kutxa console table and FERM LIVING Pond mirror
On the balcony, there is robust, industrial-style metal outdoor furniture from HAY's Palissade collection, which fits perfectly with the apartment building’s architecture.
In the study, a spacious modular shelving system by New Works has found its place—one that can be expanded over time with additional modules as needed.
On the balcony: HAY Palissade chairs and Palissade table
NEW WORKS New Works shelving system
Seili sõnul oli sisustamisel üheks oluliseks märksõnaks paindlikkus. „Lähtusime mõttest, et vähem on parem ja just seetõttu leiab korteris palju selliseid tooteid, mida saab kasutada mitmes kohas. Magamistoas on öökappideks Nichba Stool istmed, mida saab vajadusel kasutada kas täiendavate toolidena söögilaua juures või abilauakestena rõdul. Korterist leiab ka juhtmevabu Kizu lambikesi New Worksilt, mida saab kasutada magamistoas öökapil või hubasuse lisamiseks elutoas ja söögilaual,“ räägib Seili.
According to Seili, flexibility was one of the key concepts in the design. “We started with the idea that less is more, and that’s why you’ll find many products in the apartment that can be used in multiple places," Seili says.
"In the bedroom, the Stool chairs by Nichba serve as nightstands, which can also be used as extra seating at the dining table or small side tables on the balcony if needed. The apartment also features portable Kizu lamps by New Works, which can be used on the nightstands in the bedroom or to add coziness to the living room and dining table,” Seili explains.
NEW WORKS portable Kizu lamp, NICHBA Stool stool and BIBA SALOTTI Teo bed
NB! See more photos HERE.
Learn more about ELKE Mööbel’s interior design consultation service and let us know if we can help you with furnishing your dream home. Come get inspired at our store in Järve Towers (Järve 2, Tallinn) or browse our online store for ideas.
