How a dated Prague flat became a chic urban home

It’s hard to call Prague your home until you find a place to hang your hat, and that journey can last long after arriving, as you navigate the difficult real estate market. Housing prices are at record highs, and those who can afford to buy often opt for properties that need renovation, where lower upfront costs come with added work.

Buyers are often drawn to Prague’s historic apartments for their beauty, but ownership often involves compromise, especially when dealing with structural challenges. Many buildings from the First Republic era and beyond have only seen piecemeal updates every few decades or so. 

That was the experience of one expat who purchased a two-bedroom fixer-upper in Holešovice. Fortunately, CASA MODERNA brought the skills and experience to transform the client's old-school Prague apartment into a new retreat of modern design. The family-run interior design atelier specializes in complex solutions primarily for the interiors of new houses and apartments as well as exteriors, including reconstructions of existing buildings. Here’s how they approached the renovation, and what to keep in mind if you’re considering a similar move. 

The apartment was in rough shape. It had not undergone any significant renovation for more than 60 years, and the layout, comfort, and aesthetics left much to be desired. The uneven walls, typical in older buildings, added structural issues.  

“From the very first in-person meeting, it was clear that the space required a major transformation,” says Tingting Shan, interior designer at CASA MODERNA. “The original electrical wiring, outdated bathroom, impractical kitchen layout, and minor damage showed that the change was not only about aesthetics, but also safety and comfort.”

It was clear that the space required a redo, far more than the new vinyl flooring already laid down. Until completed, the apartment could not be called home. Together, the owner and Shan made a plan. The client would vacate the apartment for the summer while CASA MODERNA went to work. 

The apartment makeover had two main goals: enlarging the kitchen and creating a second bathroom. 

For the first, the kitchen was connected to a previously unused part of the hallway, naturally unifying the entire area. The layout also introduced an island with bar seating, but the cherry on top was the new window nook, ideal for a cozy read with morning tea. 

“A former storage room was transformed into a new shower bathroom, significantly improving living comfort,” Shan adds. The existing bathroom was refreshed, too. By removing the partition between the toilet and the bathtub, CASA MODERNA opened up the space, making it much more airy and appealing. 

Practicality played a part in the new layout. Throughout the renovation, every square meter was used efficiently. Built-in benches and bookcases provided storage, and other functional elements were added to enhance everyday comfort.

To unify these new spaces and upgrades, CASA MODERNA applied a modern aesthetic with timeless materials, preserving the parts that gave the home life when it was first built.

The original fireplace was replaced with a modern, bioethanol one. It created a more sustainable heat source, producing a clean flame without smoke or soot. The easy-to-use, low-maintenance bioethanol fireplace required no chimney or complex construction.

In the kitchen, the emerald-green color of the cabinetry mingles with white ceramic surfaces, accented by splashes of bronze and other metallics. “It became the main visual element of the entire concept,” Shan explains. “We complemented it with neutral tones and subtle metallic details that add depth to the space.”

Above, track lighting illuminates the space while adding flexibility. This helped harmonize the modern design with the uneven walls.

In the living room, the white ceramic and bronze continue to flow, wrapping around an ocean-blue sofa and other durable textiles. The two bathrooms contrast each other, the larger embracing light natural tones and subtle metallic accents, and the smaller leaning into darker shades and an anthracite finish.

The project was time-intensive, as construction, production, and installations had to be completed within a few months. Thanks to detailed planning and smart coordination by CASA MODERNA, the project was finished on schedule.

As Shan sums it up: “The result is a timeless, functional, and safe home that meets modern living standards while respecting the character of the original space.”