When a house is truly beyond repair, the best thing to do is to tear it down and start again. Fortunately, most homes don't make it to that point. This Porto home is a stunning example of what can be achieved with a little innovation and faith.
Before being remodelled by Germano De Castro Pinheiro, this suburban apartment was livable, sure, but in dire need of a style boost. The Portuguese architect stepped up to the challenge, and what he created was truly remarkable. It's a true phoenix from the ashes story – let's take a closer look…
Oh dear – what a sad little living space. The paint is peeling off the walls, that tiled floor is doing the room no favours, and the furniture is badly placed and horribly outdated.
There's potential here, for sure – just look at that outstanding fireplace! – but it has been neglected for far too long.
SO. MUCH. BEIGE. Seriously, this kind of colour scheme hasn't been fashionable anywhere since the mid-seventies. And that muddy brown? Awful.
This kitchen is spacious and clean, with a lot of natural light. It's just a shame that the plain and boring decor has been allowed to remain for decades.
boudoir
Ouch! This room is a decent size, but it feels dark and cluttered thanks to all of that heavy wood, clunky old furniture and those ugly blinds on the French doors.
Everything is in good condition, but it definitely feels like this home is stuck in the past – despite the newly laid laminate flooring!
We can't look! This bathroom is just too bad! Carrying on the grubby terracotta vibe from the living room, the previous owners of this home opted for the most disturbingly oppressive ruddy brown tiles… and then covered their tiny bathroom with them. What on earth were they thinking?
Let's not even talk about that wonky toilet and tacky, clashing shower curtain. Enough already, let's see the makeover!
Crisp, clean, and modern – that's more like it! Germano De Castro Pinheiro gave the lacklustre living room a complete overhaul. Those terrible tiles are long gone, replaced instead by a sleek and shiny laminate wooden flooring.
The furniture is all new, and blends together seamlessly. However, Pinheiro wasn't silly enough to get rid of everything from the old layout – the fireplace is still intact, but has been given a streamlined new look to fit the vibe of the rest of the room.
As we step back and take a look at the space as a whole, we can see how much the room has been improved by the new furniture arrangement. Bookcases line the entry walls, and the space is split evenly between a living and dining space.
The furniture is modern, stylish, but unimposing. Clean lines and simple shapes are the order of the day, a strategy that lets the statement lamp, fireplace, and antique trunk do all the talking.
The beige has gone, and we couldn't be happier! In its place is this whiter-than-white, hyper modern kitchen – what a sight for sore eyes this must be.
The glossy cupboards reflect the ample light coming through the windows and makes this space look even bigger than it did before. Everything has its proper place; utensils hang on the wall in size order, the kitchen roll is attached to a dispenser, and all of the plates and cooking pots are safely stashed away.
This might just be the most epic transformation of all – that cramped little bathroom has been turned into an oasis of relaxation.
The tiles have gone, replaced by smooth white walls and a panel of large white tiles in the shower. Two jumbo mirrors light up the windowless room, and those tired old bathroom fixtures have been thrown out in favour of a distinctly 21st century bathroom set.
This home was fit for nothing, but is now the perfect home for a stylish young couple. To see another amazing transformation, check out the radical revamp of a tragic home!