COLOUR BLOCK CODE

A pair of creatives renovated their apartment for their young family and the result is a masterclass in colour and small-space style

-  GEORGIA MADDEN

Colour code The colours may be playful and bright, but the classic rules of colour proportion are still evident in this dining room, giving it a wonderfully balanced feel. A bright-blue resin floor and curtain form the backdrop of the room (60 per cent), paired with oyster-toned walls (30 per cent) and pops of rust and burnt orange in the island and dining chairs (10 per cent).

AT FIRST GLANCE, this 110-square-metre apartment in the northern Italian city of Turin appears like a freeform of colour, but closer inspection reveals that careful thought has been given to balancing every vibrant detail. CHOSEN ONE Hyemin Ro and Davide Barreri viewed many properties before deciding on their home in this 1960s building. While it didn't have every feature they were after, they felt confident that, with their creative skills, they could transform it into a delightful family home. FLIP IT The first step was overhauling the awkward layout to maximise light, outlook and liveability. They flipped the positions of the bedrooms and living area and moved the service areas (kitchen prep zone, bathrooms, laundry) to the centre of the plan, to free up space. COLOUR PLAY Then came the fun part - unleashing their love of colour. Working from a base of primary shades - red, blue and yellow - in their furniture and soft furnishings, and adding splashes of forest green and candy pink. The result is a joyful kaleidoscopic rainbow, expertly executed.