Closer To The Sun

A wonderfully original space that was just calling for some whimsical touches to turn it into a dreamy sanctuary – filled with light, love, and harmony.

This attic bedroom was designed for a newlywed couple, Albana and Ardian. Albana is also my sister, which made the project even more special. We grew up in this very neighborhood of Prishtina, often dreaming about what it would be like to live in the attic rooms of “white buildings” as we used to call them, a group of apartments built in the 1980s. She always imagined having a bed under an attic window, while I imagined what kind of furniture and little objects might live inside those low and high-ceilinged spaces. Years later, her dream came true and so did mine.

The space is full of natural light that shifts throughout the day, bringing warmth, shadow, and softness. One of the first design choices was a whimsical wallpaper inspired by French Toile de Jouy, setting a nostalgic and romantic tone for the entire room.
Custom pieces reflect that vision: the zigzag details on the bed and wardrobe recall patterns from our childhood furniture, reimagined in a fresh way. I also included two of my own designs – the Leka wall lamps, made from dried gourds we grow in our family orchard, and the Ajo Mirror, inspired by the ancient Albanian symbol of the Goddess on the Throne, a tribute to strong women and our cultural roots.

The rug, Smile at Me by Muza Rugs, carries a traditional Albanian motif in a contemporary form.

On the other side of the room, a soft blue–framed entrance separates the bedroom from the bathroom, an intentional, artistic division that allows each space to feel distinct, yet still connected. Since the bathroom has a lower ceiling, we added a rounded window between the two rooms to bring in more natural light and create a gentle visual link. This circular window not only brightens the space but also gives a sense of openness and belonging between the rooms.

Year of Completion: June 2024

Location: Prishtinë, Kosovë

Size: 30m²