An endless budget and an expansive interior are not luxuries that many homeowners are afforded with when it comes to home renovations and makeovers. Most of us tend to work with a pretty tight budget cap and are always on the lookout for that elusive ‘additional room’ that we feel would be the end of all our decorating problems. Chmielna Apartment in the gorgeous city of Gdansk is an example of one such brilliant project that saw Raca Architekci shape a captivating contemporary apartment with a budget of $ 10,000. The sparkling new interior of the 41-square-meter apartment is all about black, white and gray laced with an intricate pattern in the form of exotic mandalas.

Showcasing an urbane industrial vibe, the apartment uses exposed brick walls along with a cold color palette in a surprisingly warm, inviting fashion. The many shades of gray, white and black ensure that one room flows into the next visually, with ‘naked bulb lighting’ adding that distinct industrial flair. The extensive use of white for the backdrop gives the interior an airy appeal and reduces visual fragmentation, even as the complex patterns of mandalas borrowed from the Hindu world become the showstoppers in each room. A large owl format printing on PVC board in the living room draws your attention instantly, while the décor is kept minimal and unassuming.

Despite the minimalist take on the color palette, smartly placed raw wooden accents in the bedroom and master bathroom turn these spaces into pleasant and relaxing settings. Lighting plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the affordable apartment transformation does not seem sterile and dull because of the excessive use of gray – A home where industrial style meets contemporary refinement!