u/RonsonPereira

Most renovation posts only show the final photos.

What they rarely show is everything that had to be fixed before the design could even begin.

This 500 sq.ft. 1 BHK apartment had been home to the family for over 10 years. Like many older apartments in Mumbai, it had gradually developed problems that couldn’t simply be covered up with new furniture or fresh paint.

Before discussing Scandinavian interiors, colour palettes or furniture layouts, we first had to understand what the home was telling us.

The major challenges included:

Persistent seepage caused by the external building walls.
Plumbing leakages that had developed over years of use.
Termite infestation due to prolonged moisture exposure.
Limited water storage for periods of water rationing—a reality many Mumbai residents can relate to.

Only after addressing these issues could we begin designing a home that would actually last.

The renovation started with:

• Waterproofing and treating the seepage.
• Replacing ageing plumbing lines to eliminate hidden leakages.
• Using wall finishes better suited to moisture-prone areas.
• Invasive anti-termite treatment before any new furniture was installed.
• Planning concealed water storage without compromising the home’s usability.

Only then did we move on to the design brief.

The clients wanted a home that felt calm, bright and easy to maintain.

Their requirements were simple:

• A Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic.
• A soft blue colour palette.
• Minimalist interiors.
• Low-maintenance finishes.
• Better storage without visual clutter.
• A home that felt larger than its actual 500 sq.ft.

Every design decision—from the materials we selected to the colour palette, furniture proportions and storage planning—was made only after the underlying issues had been permanently addressed.

The before-and-after images show much more than a visual transformation.

They represent the difference between covering up problems and solving them first.

I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts:

If you were renovating an older apartment, what would concern you the most?
Which transformation surprised you the most?

Most renovation posts only show the final photos.

What they rarely show is everything that had to be fixed before the design could even begin.

This 500 sq.ft. 1 BHK apartment had been home to the family for over 10 years. Like many older apartments in Mumbai, it had gradually developed problems that couldn’t simply be covered up with new furniture or fresh paint.

Before discussing Scandinavian interiors, colour palettes or furniture layouts, we first had to understand what the home was telling us.

The major challenges included:

Persistent seepage caused by the external building walls.
Plumbing leakages that had developed over years of use.
Termite infestation due to prolonged moisture exposure.
Limited water storage for periods of water rationing—a reality many Mumbai residents can relate to.

Only after addressing these issues could we begin designing a home that would actually last.

The renovation started with:

• Waterproofing and treating the seepage.
• Replacing ageing plumbing lines to eliminate hidden leakages.
• Using wall finishes better suited to moisture-prone areas.
• Invasive anti-termite treatment before any new furniture was installed.
• Planning concealed water storage without compromising the home’s usability.

Only then did we move on to the design brief.

The clients wanted a home that felt calm, bright and easy to maintain.

Their requirements were simple:

• A Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic.
• A soft blue colour palette.
• Minimalist interiors.
• Low-maintenance finishes.
• Better storage without visual clutter.
• A home that felt larger than its actual 500 sq.ft.

Every design decision—from the materials we selected to the colour palette, furniture proportions and storage planning—was made only after the underlying issues had been permanently addressed.

The before-and-after images show much more than a visual transformation.

They represent the difference between covering up problems and solving them first.

I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts:

If you were renovating an older apartment, what would concern you the most?
Which transformation surprised you the most?

One of the biggest challenges with compact Mumbai apartments is finding enough storage without sacrificing openness.

This 550 sq.ft. 2 BHK was delivered as a bare shell, and the brief was simple:

1. Maximise storage.
2. Keep circulation comfortable.
3. Make every room feel larger than it actually is.
4. Avoid the “wall of cupboards everywhere” look.

Some of the design decisions included:

1. Full-height wardrobes with sliding shutters.
2. A neutral palette to visually expand the space.
3. Hidden storage integrated into almost every room.
4. Minimal furniture to keep walkways unobstructed.
5. Layered lighting instead of relying solely on ceiling fixtures.
6. A compact yet functional kitchen with ample storage.

I’ve paired each completed room with its corresponding “before” photo so you can see the transformation.

I’d genuinely love to hear your feedback:

1. Which room works best?
2. Is there anything you would have designed differently?
3. Any questions about the planning or storage solutions?