“As soon as I saw the apartment, I knew it had potential, but the thing I really fell for was the light,” says Kristine Aarflot, CEO and managing partner of Bryn Aarflot, an intellectual property law firm based in Oslo, Norway.

The 1,440 square-foot apartment, illuminated by large windows and skylights, is set on the fifth and sixth stories of a 1892 neoclassical building on a tranquil street in the city’s upscale Frogner district. “This is central Oslo, and I’m less than a 20-minute walk from the office,” says Kristine. “But up here, it’s totally quiet.”

Before: Entry

After: Entry

All the living space is on the main floor, which is mostly open, apart from three enclosed bedrooms. A staircase at the center leads up to a landing that opens to a 184-square-foot rooftop terrace.

“The apartment had been intended to look a little industrial, but it was very, very cold,” Kristine says. Although she initially planned to move in right after making some cosmetic changes, a closer look revealed that most of the surfaces, as well as the staircase, the floors, and the kitchen were in poor shape, and needed to be replaced or restored—so she reached out to architect Vibeke Jenssen, a partner with local firm Rintala Eggertsson Architects.

Before: Kitchen

After: Kitchen

“When I first saw it in pictures, I thought it looked very nice—exciting and spacious, with an unusual floor plan,” says Jenssen. “Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed when we saw it in person and realized that the actual condition of the property was very different from the pictures.”

Before: Kitchen Skylight

After: Kitchen Skylight

“We both thought the steel-and-glass staircase looked a bit too corporate for a private home,” says Jenssen. Although they initially considered updating the stair, they ultimately decided to rebuild it from scratch. “By constructing a new staircase, we made it the way we wanted, while also improving the flow and functionality of the apartment.”

Before: Living Area

After: Living Area

The flooring also proved more worn than expected, so Kristine and Jenssen opted to install fresh hardwood with underfloor heating from Danish brand Dinesen. This presented yet another challenge, as the new floor was two inches higher than the original, and ran the risk of blocking the entrance.

“In the end, we managed by less than 0.2 inches (after raising the entrance door by 0.8 inches) but the result turned out quite marvelously” exclaims Jenssen. “I was really stressed during that period because everything took two months longer than planned, and I was so eager to move in” recalls Kristine. “Was it worth the wait? Absolutely!”

“The curtain allows the living area to be opened up or closed off in all kinds of different ways, and gives it more warmth and better soundproofing,” says Jenssen." layout="wide" credit="Photo by Rintala Eggertsson Architects" photoUserId=""/>

The space Jenssen is most proud of is the living room, which can be sectioned off from the surrounding areas with a deep saffron curtain for a cozier feel.

She also admires Kristine’s eye for combining contemporary and vintage design. The apartment contains several statement pieces from her previous home, including a Steinway piano that once belonged to her grandmother, that blend well with the warm wood tones.

As for Kristine, her favorite spot is the kitchen. She says that, while her weekdays tend to be quite hectic, weekend mornings often find her relaxing on the kitchen bench under the skylight and the Soren pendant lamp by Pinch Design London.

The space is still bright as ever. “Sometimes, it’s even too light!” exclaims Kristine, showing off the semitransparent remote-controlled blinds that dim sunshine from the diagonal skylights without blocking it out completely. They’re especially handy during the summer months when near-constant daylight beats down on the south-facing windows.

She is also pleased with the revised guest bedroom. The space used to be one big room, but Jenssen borrowed 20 inches or so from the kitchen to create two smaller bedrooms so that Kristine’s grown sons can stay with her from time to time.

After: Dining Area

In the summer, the rooftop is the place to be. “I have lots of people coming over because I have the best terrace,” she says with a laugh. “I like to cook sometimes, but I also like to just invite people over for something easy. And sometimes I like to have breakfast up there, too.”

After: Library

Esther Maria Bjørneboe." layout="wide" credit="Photo by Rintala Eggertsson Architects" photoUserId=""/>

Before buying her new apartment in March 2023, Kristine lived in a large house, but she says she quickly got used to her new accommodations.

“Living in the city center, it’s so nice to have everything on your doorstep. And it’s much easier to keep it tidy; I don’t have to clean three floors anymore,” says Kristine. “I think I’ve adapted well; I have everything I need.”

More Before & After stories:

In Spain, an Architect Restores an Iconic Home Built by His Grandparents

You’d Never Guess This Tiny Oasis Is in the Middle of São Paulo

A Tiny Copenhagen Flat Now Hosts DJs, Art Openings, and Plenty of Friends

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Vibeke Jenssen, Rintala Eggertsson Architects / @rintalaeggertsson

Builder/General Contractor: Sindre Solberg, Lohne & Lauritzsen AS

Lighting Design: Tore Nistad, SML-lighting

Cabinetry Design: Rintala Eggertsson Architects

Cabinetry Maker: Janne Tobiassen, Hamran Snekkerverksted AS

Flooring: Dinesen AS