How DIY Enthusiasts Transformed Their Small Apartment with CNC and Sustainability

David Chapman, an industrial designer, and Jess Grunow, a graphic designer, purchased their two-bedroom apartment in Thornbury, being attracted to the area for its affordability and lifestyle aspects. The 1960s apartment provided a great base, with generous proportions, large glazing, and even city views.

David and Jess have always been spirited DIYers, often undertaking small projects, however Kemp Street offered them a larger scale to run away with their ideas and vision. Knowing they'll do most of the work themselves, their apartment is an ongoing renovation project.

David and Jess focused on the living area, kitchen, dining and hallway initially. Working within a constrained budget, they brainstormed ideas on achieving their brief while being cost-effective. David looked at plywood and CNC, allowing him to precisely design and cut panels into pieces.

The living area features a continuous joinery element that wraps around three walls. Avoiding furniture clutter, the joinery provides ample cupboard storage, a window seat with open shelving to display their objects, and a TV entertainment unit. Meticulous attention was applied to the joinery, ensuring even unsightly cables would be hidden from view.

The kitchen utilises IKEA cabinetry as a base, with plywood fronts and custom handles to bring their own personality to the space. A green ceramic tile was used for the benchtop, adding another layer of uniqueness. What may be the most prized possession is the painted fridge, an ode to Jess' favourite food, the tomato.

Jess would often misplace her keys, wallets and other things that we tend to dump out of our pockets. The renovation of the hallway cupboard was to ensure this would stop happening, and a cupboard with a sliding door allows coats to be hung out of view, and a mirrored nook provides David and Jess a place for their pocket things.

While David couldn't address major sustainability aspects, such as insulation, glazing and orientation, he focused his attention on the smaller wins. CNC production meant that David could lay out the panels to minimise the waste at the end of the cutting. It also allowed David to see there would be space left over on panels where he could create secondary products, such as their coffee cable, side table, record stand, coasters, and more.

Website article with photographs and the floor plan;

An Architect's Own Calming and Compact Family Home

This Small and Simple Apartment Has a Sense of Grandeur

David Chapman

Jess Grunow

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Simple Dwelling

Produced by Simple Dwelling
Filmed and Edited by Simple Dwelling / Anthony Richardson

Circle of Life by Letra

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[rebeccaw]

The trick to minimalism is having well designed storage, which is what this young couple have done👏👏.

[guydw]

Getting maximum use of every sheet of ply and every tile is really impressive.

[_scottysews]

I absolutely love how they have modernised the space whilst not making huge structural changes. They have kept hints of the apartment's original character whilst making it so functional!

[natashafigueroa]

So many things to love! The custom handles in the kitchen, the cosy dining area, the light infused cabinetry, the hall cupboard, the art collection, that fridge! Shout-out to that cool pink chair as well. Congrats on a beautiful home, you two!

[blackdunaway]

Can we talk about the man randomly walking through the apartment!

[Halbmond]

A part of me is a bit upset because I feel like I’ve played through NTS. Because this is it. My absolutely favorite NTS home! I love it! 🙌

[filausopoako]

Wrap around furniture is a good idea. Watching from Sydney

[anaalves]

What a genius use of materials 👏👏👏👏. The cabinetry looks beautiful, simple and timeless. I love how they tried to keep their carbon footprint to a minimum by using every last bit of the materials. I wish I had remembered to ask the company that cut my kitchen counter tops to finish off the edges of the stove and sink cutouts so that they could be used as trivets or as serving surfaces, I have done it before and the only drawback is that they are heavy. Love all of the ceramics as well 😍😍😍😍. And the cat is the perfect addition 🐱😍😍😍😍

[podpoe]

Absolutely stunning! The birch ply was such a good choice, and the craftsmanship is incredible. I'd love to live in a similar space.

[jensahawk]

Love this apartment, very calming feel to it. It is a very similar layout to mine, and im in Melbourne too. Given me great ideas for my lil place as well!

[danaesquires]

one of my favourite Simple Dwelling abodes.

[SimoneLeoni]

22, a million album on display, instant like and follow.

[iamleoooo]

If it were me i would remove the kitchen wall so the flat would feel more spacious. Love the style, i doesnt feel like a showoff flat but an actual place to live. Its subtle yet has the detail to avoid the boring empty space

[morticiag]

What a beautiful and calming aesthetic! Xx

[farkasambrus]

Love the concept, all the design decisions and that it's much more sustainable to build than with regular methods. It also looks much better than regular furniture. I would love to do something similar once I'll own my own place.
Would love to see a more in-depth video on this project, the actual design process, how different decisions were made, costs etc.

Also how does it compare to buying regular furtinture cost wise?

[auradb]

El gato da el toque de distinción y elegancia 👌💕😻

[MaraMara]

I thought that my brain died for a second when I've seen the "Chroń oczy, ręce, nogi..." poster - I wasn't expecting polish in that video XD I would love to see bathroom and more of bedroom (on the plan there is a wordrobe I haven't seen here) but I get that owners might not want to show some spaces ...

[Portefeuillefute]

Beautiful space! Does anyone know where the lamp at 0:23 comes from?

[LL-vkzc]

Dabbling in interior design produces dabbler results.

[bdavaakhuu]

Could you please tell me where to buy the giant fridge magnets? Thanks