Time had indeed come for a 10-year-old, two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment to be renovated. Rented for a decade, a lot needed to be done to not only lighten the dark and positively drab interior but to add touches of modernity. Never one to shy away from a challenge, interior designer and property manager Eroleen Anderson-Powell was alas unable to pull a 24/7 (neighbours had to be considered). The completion date was nevertheless honoured.

SO was taken on a guided tour.

Entrance

The floor tiles chosen were porcelain planks in white, shades of grey.

In the entrance hall hangs an old Mediterranean dresser mirror. Repurposed by spray painting in stark white and used in this way to add depth and volume to a narrow entrance… why not glance at your beauty as you go and come?

Walls and ceilings, throughout, were painted in stark white. Opening up this unit to a fresh cool feel in the city. A perfect backdrop for ideas and choices to have a larger voice.

Painting walls in white is my signature go to colour, playing with a variety of whites on the colour wheel. Allowing my designs, choices in fabrics, elements, furniture and fixtures to make the statements they were intended to make.

Grey and white are often used in modern minimalist design. Also Scandinavian style. Used in this space for a monochromatic theme. Four colours were used: white, grey, blue and oak.

Dining Table

A black mid-century modern chandelier fixture was added over the dining table for a dramatic appearance.

The dining table, once an old Mediterranean dark polished table, was repurposed and sprayed in white and grey. Chairs were re-covered in a dark denim fabric. The denim works well with this modern minimalist look and also plays off the colours in the oversized indoor billboard art, manufactured by Caledonia Enterprises Limited for this project.

The indoor billboard is a masala of all the colours seen throughout this apartment and ties the look together.

Kitchen

The backsplash was tiled in a marble subway mosaic in Carrera marble. The epitome of marble, white marble with grey veins used by Michelangelo. This subway tile had accents of metallic sliver running through.

Kitchen counter is a white quartz, with glass shards ground into the material. This works well with the monochrome look. Both elements work well with the stained kitchen cabinets and floor tiles chosen to remodel this unit.

Master Bedroom:

The master bedroom’s padded bed head and frame were manufactured by Interiors by Eroleen Limited.

A dark grey faux leather was used to manufacture the design.

Play of grey and white tones continues through to the master.

Lamps are Art Deco in style.

Black and silver metal with crystal beads hanging and woven throughout. When on, the light refracts through the beads giving a beautiful design at night.

Brilliant white clock on the wall, modern minimalism used throughout.

Simple grey and white comforter set was used, as this unit is a rental property.

A pink padded tufted bench was made adding a bit of 2019/2020 fashion statement to the space. The pink drawn from my blouse added in all its glory.

The bedroom chair in yellow outdoor/indoor fabric used as cushions in the living room. Each area in the house speaks to something happening in another space. Continuity always works well with all the colour choices.

The roman shades made by my company adds all the colour elements and ties them in a bow. Fun, sunny and colourful.

White dresser was added to make the space appear larger and more modern.

Master Bathroom:

My next favourite space after the living room’s black and white décor is timeless.

Black accents, like mirrors and lighting, make an interior more eclectic. My monochrome bathroom.

Carrara marble mosaic in dramatic basket weave pattern was used on the shower floor to zone this area. Then a basket weave porcelain tile used on the wall; a cousin to the floor. This was done to add texture and reduce cost, without reducing the richness of the desired look.

White brick pattern porcelain white tiles were used to cover the rest of the walls.

Seamless glass frame, added to shower for that clean contemporary look. A strong chrome shower fixture and drain added to shower.

Black zebra slab used on the cabinets with white sinks and chrome faucets.

An industrial light fixture in black was added to the ceiling.

Bedroom Two-Transitional design theme:

A traditional bedroom set was used in this space. This was purchased a few years ago; we re-sided it.Traditional design is always great when trying to be budget-friendly.

We made new drapes in yellow to tie the space to the living room area that the bedroom is off.

Bed spread in black and white to add interest and energise the design.

Lamps match the furniture.

The Living Room

The jewel in the design. Sofas were designed and manufactured by Interiors by Eroleen Limited. The fabrics chosen were all outdoor fabrics because this unit is a rental. Four fabrics were purchased to create a vibrant fresh and cheerful look and feel.

White cushions were made to add a contemporary feel; yellow cushions were made to bring the sun in; bleached denim and navy fabrics were used for a touch of runway design; borrowing from lifestyle trends in the fashion world.

Then I added what I consider the shoes for the clothes. Canvas and espadrilles shoes are big in 2020. Chanel, Miu Miu, etc. Hence the rug, borrowing from the runways.

The coffee tables and end tables also play on this theme. The jewellery! Metallic with bleached wooden inlay table-tops, to close this design off.

Denim has taken over high fashion and street styles, making its way into interior design. Lifestyle trends in interior design are nuggets always close to my heart. I design in the way I dress and curate myself.

An indoor billboard was used in a navy and white design to add volume and drama to the space. Courtesy of Caledonia Enterprises.

Lamps in matte silver were added with pure white shades to add texture to the space, and add height and balance.

White drapes were manufactured by Interiors by Eroleen Limited, and added to the windows to make the denim a bit dressier. As we say in Jamaica: dressy-casual.

TV Stand

The television stand was an old overside bridge TV unit.The bridge was removed and metal car paint in sliver added in a variety of areas. Repurposed and purposeful design.

The Patio

The patio chairs, once old green iron chairs, were cleaned and resprayed in a flat black paint.

A planter was added and a garden created in the planter by our landscaping crew. A relaxing spot in the city.

Bathroom

The bathroom was gutted and new tiles chosen.

Pebble-style porcelain mosaics in a sea of colours borrowed from the Caribbean Sea. Drawing the blues from the living room into the bathroom. An accent wall was created over the sink area with white pebble mosaic used to wrap the rest of the bathroom.

I used black quartz with a fabulous white stripe to add a bit of elegance to the fun design.