Custom Plywood Furniture Totally Transformed This Tiny “Typical New Build” in Oslo
Two years ago, Frida, an architect, and her partner, Petter, bought this newly built apartment in Oslo, Norway. The small space — only 475 square feet — started out as a typical builder-grade space: “white walls, a gray standard kitchen, and no character yet,” something Frida says was a big challenge. “It almost would have been easier to start from scratch,” she admits.
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“We wanted to add personality without wastefully tearing things out, so we’ve made gradual changes as we’ve lived here and saved up,” Frida continues. “The kitchen was the biggest project: It was brand-new but not functional, with space for only one person to cook. Eventually, we removed a tall cabinet, added a small extension, swapped the black laminate countertop for solid oak, and painted the gray cabinets an earthy yellow.”
Of course, the home’s petite size has also been a design challenge for the couple. “[S]mall spaces can sometimes help narrow design choices, but with so many ideas in mind, it’s been tricky to fit everything in,” Frida writes. “All the projects we’ve done ourselves, sourcing materials from our local hardware store, even the oak countertop, which ended up being cheaper than wood laminate from IKEA. Taking it slow has made the home feel truly ours while keeping the budget low.”
Despite what these photos might imply, Frida says the most unique thing about their home is just how standard or typical, and new-build, it was before they added their own style. “Hopefully people find it surprising to see how much warmth and personality can be added to a space like this.”
Resources
PAINT & COLORS
- Living room/kitchen — Jotun Lady “Kokos”
- Bedroom — Jotun Lady “Laurbær”
- Kitchen cabinets — Repainted from gray to Jotun Lady “Earthy Yellow”
- Hallway — Jotun Lady “Fresh Pasta”
LIVING ROOM
- Sofa — Custom DIY plywood build
- Pillows — Custom-made by Maaho
- Shelving system — Fogia Bond
- Stool — 1960s/70s brutalist oak stool (secondhand)
- Floor lamp — Akari 24N by Isamu Noguchi
- Ceiling pendant — Akari 26A by Isamu Noguchi
- Rug — “Grand” by Nordic Knots
- Armchairs — IKEA Klinte (vintage)
DINING ROOM
- Dining table — Vintage brutalist table (secondhand)
- Dining chairs — Alvar Aalto for Artek, Chair 66 Exclusive Edition walnut stain (link)
- Dining chair — Vaarnii 001 (link)
- Wall shelf — Frama Library Shelf (link)
- Table lamp — Akari 1A by Isamu Noguchi (link)
- Poster — Vintage 1974 Picasso exhibition poster, Henie-Onstad Kunstsenter (flea market find)
KITCHEN
- Stainless steel shelving system (above counter) — Kriptonite
BEDROOM
- Bed frame — Custom DIY plywood build
- Stools — Artek Stool 60 (stacked)
- Nightstand — Frama Rivet Box Table
- Pendant lamp — Vintage Fog and Mørup (found for free secondhand, stripped of paint to reveal stainless steel finish)
Thanks, Frida and Petter!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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