Architect Lukáš Kordík gave his own 516-square-foot flat in Bratislava a modern makeover. For just a little more than $23,000, he transformed his home from a thicket of small rooms into a continuous, light-filled abode. Busting through a few walls took up much of the scant budget, but Kordík—who works for the Bratislava firm Gut Gut—also managed to redo the electrical, pipes, sewage, and heating while imbuing the place with a hip, old-meets-new vibe. Photo 5 of 8 in 7 Historic Ceilings in Modern Homes That Have Been Beautifully Preserved from A Little Apartment Gets a Solid Renovation

7 Historic Ceilings in Modern Homes That Have Been Beautifully Preserved

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In the architect's own home in Bratislava, Lukáš Kordík took advantage of his 1930s apartment's undulating, raw-concrete ceiling by exposing it. Contrasting with pops of color throughout the apartment, the structural vaults provide textures and an industrial flair to create a unique space.