This is how our clients described the interior of a very old, over-a-century-old house, whose interior design they entrusted us with: “Something’s not right—this just doesn’t feel livable.”

They turned to professional design in the hope that the interior layout would become an organic, integrated part of their everyday life.

For them, establishing a home isn’t possible without a sense of connection. In this spirit, they chose a building with a story—a house with a rich past and a “colorful” personality, so to speak. Equally important was that the design process itself be an enjoyable experience: imagining the furniture, planning the layout of movable pieces, and shaping the home together.

We love nurturing the seed of an idea that lies within each client, which is why we carefully reviewed every detail of the space together—discussing what elements would truly make it feel like their own. Their imagination took flight, and once we were in sync, it resonated beautifully with the interior designer’s thorough professional expertise.

The family knew from the start that they wanted to transform the winding attic space into a livable upper-floor area. We understood that this would be a beautiful yet challenging task—one that designer Kata Pallaghy handled with both creativity and confidence.

How far will an interior designer go to make the most of a space? Quite far—boldly stepping beyond conventions and embracing inventive solutions. For instance, instead of placing the small attic shower-and-toilet directly above the downstairs bathroom (the more straightforward mechanical solution), she chose a more efficient use of space and positioned it in the central area of the upper floor. The plumbing was cleverly routed through an old chimney stack that had been partially dismantled but preserved within the living area.

From the perspective of wall cladding and storage solutions, the attic was one of the most exciting parts of the design. Its original structures and gable walls were never intended for everyday living spaces. Wherever possible, the interior designer kept the wooden structural elements exposed, highlighting their character. For the roof sections, she used a perforated patterned drywall—a special type chosen not only for its decorative, light-filtering quality that softens the sense of isolation but also because it accommodates wall heating.

Maximizing storage capacity without overwhelming the space was a key priority. Kata explored the geometry of the roof structure to find recessed areas, designing built-in wardrobes and hidden storage rooms that blend seamlessly into the wall surfaces. This thoughtful integration allows the attic’s visual atmosphere to be defined by more expressive, movable furniture and accessories, keeping the space both functional and full of character.

As the family settled into their home, they grew to love every color and shape of it. When asked about the most successful result of the interior design process, they confidently name the kitchen on the lower level. They say its ergonomic design is unmistakable—every movement feels so natural, it’s as if someone had thoughtfully planned each step in advance.

Positioned at the heart of the ground floor, the kitchen offers a clear view of the surrounding interior spaces—and even key areas of the garden where the children play. With the family having grown, this visibility became especially important, as did the experienced mother’s eye in shaping storage and spatial connections.

Kata altered the line of one of the house’s original partition walls and used the opportunities created by the split levels to design hidden, deeper storage units—integrated seamlessly into the space without sacrificing flow or comfort.

And what is the overall atmosphere of the interior? As you move through the spaces, you can feel that natural, high-quality materials take center stage—particular attention was given to the appearance of the ground floor parquet. Kata chose to leave the exposed ceiling beams visible, emphasizing the subtle differences in the structure: in the kitchen and dining area, white-painted wooden panels fill the spaces between beams; in the playroom, the panels are treated with a clear varnish; and in the living room, a smooth, white-painted surface defines the ceiling.

Natural-toned furniture stands out beautifully against the white or light-colored walls, while bolder colors appear precisely where they can shine on their own—like in the guest restroom. The green hue of the kitchen cabinetry clearly defines the working area and brings a sense of cohesion to the storage units within the large, open space.

And just how well does the interior designer’s layout and living concept work? In the words of the client: “I love it!”

Designers: Kata Pallaghy – Project Lead, Benjamin Falus – Design Assistant, Fanni Fieszl – Design Assistant
Photography: Zsolt Hlinka