Notes from our desk
Journal
From villa projects to renovation permits, from office design to caring for natural stone, we write plainly about what people want to know about architecture and interior design in Istanbul.
- Guide
· 3 min read
Bathroom renovation guide: the right order, from waterproofing to fixtures
The most expensive mistake in a bathroom renovation is made where you cannot see it. Waterproofing, falls, plumbing, ventilation and fixtures, in the right order.
- Guide
· 3 min read
Small apartment interior design: 9 ways to make a small space feel larger
In one- and two-bedroom apartments you cannot add square metres, but you can enlarge the perception of space. Layout, storage, colour, light and multi-purpose furniture.
- Guide
· 3 min read
Children's room design: a safe room that grows with the child
Needs that change from infancy to the teenage years, safety, storage, colour and light: how to plan a children's room that will not date in a few years.
- Materials
· 3 min read
What is microcement? Pros, cons and where to use it
Microcement is the material behind seamless floors and one-piece bathrooms. How it is applied, where it works and what to watch out for.
- Materials
· 3 min read
Choosing flooring: solid wood, engineered wood, SPC, tiles and microcement
Which floor suits which room? We compare floor finishes for durability, water resistance, sound, underfloor heating and look.
- Guide
· 3 min read
Bedroom and walk-in wardrobe design: a calm main suite
Bed placement, light and blackout, acoustics, wardrobe layout and the link to the en-suite: the principles of a bedroom designed for rest.
- Office & Commercial
· 3 min read
Café and restaurant interior design: how to design a place guests want to stay in
Flow, seating, acoustics, lighting and brand identity: how to think about guest experience and operational efficiency together in café and restaurant design.
- Architecture
· 3 min read
Garden and landscape design: making a villa's outdoor space part of the home
Terrace, decking, pool surround, planting, irrigation and night lighting: how to design the garden as a second layer of the home's architecture.
- Architecture
· 3 min read
How to get a building permit in Türkiye: documents, process and occupancy permit
What to know before building a villa or detached house: the permit requirement under the Zoning Law, application documents, legal time limits, work that needs no permit, and the occupancy permit.
- Local
· 3 min read
Renovating an older villa in Göktürk and Kemer Country, Istanbul: what to watch for
The area's first generation of villas is now being renovated. What to watch for in plan, services, energy, earthquake safety and site rules when adapting an older villa to life today.
- Architecture
· 3 min read
Energy-efficient homes in Türkiye: insulation, windows, heating and the Energy Performance Certificate
What is the Energy Performance Certificate (EKB) and what is it for? How to reduce a home's energy demand through design, including the 2026 regulation change.
- Trends
· 2 min read
Smart home systems: how to plan them in a renovation or new build
Lighting scenes, motorised curtains, climate control, security and audio: treating the smart home not as devices added later but as infrastructure built in from the start.
- Trends
· 2 min read
What is Japandi style, and how do you apply it to an interior?
The colours, materials and furniture of Japandi, where Japanese simplicity meets Scandinavian warmth, and the most common mistakes.
- Trends
· 2 min read
Quiet luxury: what it means in interior design
Spaces without logos or show, but with flawless detail. The material, colour and detail language of quiet luxury, with examples from our CB House project.
- Materials
· 3 min read
How to choose a wall colour: an interior paint guide
Light, orientation, materials and use: how to choose the right wall colour, sheen levels, low-VOC paints and why testing matters.
- FAQ
· 2 min read
Open kitchen or closed kitchen? Pros, cons and in-between solutions
An open kitchen offers spaciousness and sociability; a closed kitchen offers control of smells and mess. We explain which suits you and the in-between solutions that combine both.
- Guide
· 3 min read
Home office design: how to set up a productive workspace at home
Location, daylight, ergonomics, acoustics, cabling and your video call background: the principles of a productive workspace at home, whether a separate room or a small corner.
- Architecture
· 3 min read
Villa facade design: exterior cladding materials and how to choose
Stone, wood, render, composite and glass: material choice for a villa facade, its relationship with insulation, maintenance needs and the effect of climate.
- FAQ
· 3 min read
The renovation process step by step: can you live at home during a renovation?
The stages of a renovation from survey to handover, the order of work, dealing with neighbours and site management, and the pros and cons of staying at home during the works.
- Guide
· 2 min read
What is architectural and interior design consultancy, and when do you need it?
Before buying a home or plot, before starting a renovation, or when a project gets stuck: what consultancy is, when it helps and how to make the most of it.
- Architecture
· 4 min read
How to build a villa in Istanbul: 7 steps from plot to turnkey
For anyone planning to build a villa: the steps of the architectural process, from plot analysis and permits to construction drawings and turnkey handover, in plain language.
- Guide
· 3 min read
How to choose an architect or interior designer in Istanbul
Portfolio, professional registration, scope of the quote, communication and build experience: the questions to ask when choosing an architect or interior designer.
- Architecture
· 2 min read
Architectural design stages: preliminary design, final design and construction drawings explained
The differences between preliminary design, final design, construction drawings and details, and which decisions are made at each stage, with examples.
- Guide
· 3 min read
Can you knock down a wall when renovating in Türkiye? Structure, earthquakes and permits
Removing walls, touching columns and beams, renovations that do and do not need a permit: what you need to know for a safe renovation in Istanbul.
- Office & Commercial
· 2 min read
Office interior design: how to design an office people actually use
Air quality, daylight, focus areas and shared spaces: research-backed principles of office design.
- Office & Commercial
· 2 min read
Showroom and retail design: how to build a space that puts the product on stage
Entrance, circulation, light, materials and display: the decisions in showroom and retail interior design that affect sales and brand perception.
- Guide
· 2 min read
What is 3D visualisation, and why does it matter so much in interior design?
Photorealistic 3D images let you see a space before it is built and make material and lighting decisions in advance. The process and its benefits.
- Materials
· 2 min read
Custom furniture or ready-made? A guide to help you decide
When made-to-measure furniture makes sense, where ready-made is enough, and how the custom production process works.
- Materials
· 2 min read
Natural stone and travertine: where to use them at home and how to care for them
The properties of natural stones such as travertine, marble and limestone, where to use them and how to protect them from acid stains.
- Guide
· 2 min read
Home lighting design: how to plan layered lighting
General, task and accent lighting, daylight, colour temperature and choosing LEDs: how to build the right lighting scenario at home.
- Cost
· 2 min read
Interior designer fees in Istanbul (2026): how interior design services are priced
Per square metre, a percentage or a fixed fee? How interior design fees are calculated in Istanbul, what drives the price and what to check when you get a quote.
- Guide
· 2 min read
7 things to know before renovating your home
A renovation does not start by knocking down a wall; it starts by asking the right questions. What to put on the table before you begin.
- Cost
· 2 min read
Turnkey home and villa renovation in Istanbul: what drives the cost in 2026?
Two renovations of the same size can differ tenfold in price. The items that make up the budget, common mistakes and how to set a realistic budget.
- Local
· 2 min read
Personalising your newly delivered home in Göktürk and Kemerburgaz, Istanbul
New projects are being handed over quickly in the area. What to prioritise in the first 90 days after you get the keys, step by step.
- Guide
· 2 min read
Kitchen renovation and kitchen island design: dimensions, materials, common mistakes
How much space does a kitchen island need? What should the worktop be made of? The dimensions and decisions to know before renovating your kitchen.
- Trends
· 2 min read
Interior design trends 2026: warm colours, local materials and craftsmanship
Cold minimalism is giving way to characterful, warm and personal spaces. The leading interior design trends of 2026 and how to adapt them to your home.
- Materials
· 2 min read
Burgundy, brass and travertine: the material language of a warm interior
A space speaks through its materials. Why the warm palette we often use in our projects works.
- FAQ
· 2 min read
Villa interior design in Göktürk, Istanbul: frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions before starting a villa or residence project in Göktürk, Kemerburgaz and the surrounding area.