This compact 80m2 apartment in Cape Town was initially developed as a spec buy-and-sell. But our client, who lives abroad, wanted a tasteful and efficient lock-up-and-go for when he travels to Cape Town, as well as a welcoming space where his extended family – who all still live in South Africa – can get together and enjoy. We were given a relatively open brief to create a small space with a big, but gentle, personality. In response, we stripped out the original cheap finishes, redesigned the kitchen and bathrooms, installed beautiful new oak floors, subtle lighting, automated blinds and curtains, and layers of comfort in the form of beautifully-designed pieces and tactile soft finishes.