Residential Interiors

Coastal Minimalism

Malindi, Kilifi · 2023

Category: Residential Interiors
Location: Malindi, Kilifi
Year: 2023
Status: Completed
Area: 178m2
Client: Private
Service: Interior Design

A coastal apartment interior in Malindi built around white plaster walls, arched openings and dark slate tile floors. Timber furniture throughout — cane chairs, open wooden frames, rattan elements — keeps the material character warm and natural. An arched niche in the living room holds a hanging planter; a rooftop terrace above has a rattan pergola ceiling and views over the town and coast. The scheme treats the archway as its primary architectural gesture, repeated consistently across doors, niches and corridor openings.

The Brief

Design the interior of a 178 m² coastal apartment in Malindi around a calm, organic palette — white plaster walls, natural timber furniture and dark slate floors — with strong indoor-outdoor connection and a rooftop terrace as an extension of the living area.

Our Approach

Arched openings were used consistently throughout to give the apartment spatial character without introducing colour or pattern. White plaster on all walls and ceilings provides the neutral ground; dark slate tile floors anchor each room. Timber, cane and rattan furniture are the only materials introduced beyond the plaster-and-stone palette. The rooftop terrace is finished in terracotta tile with a rattan pergola ceiling, extending the material logic of the interior upward. Sheer white curtains at all windows allow coastal light in while maintaining privacy from the city views below.

Coastal Minimalism — open-plan living room with white plaster arched walls, dark slate floor and natural timber furniture, Malindi, Kilifi

Coastal Minimalism — rooftop terrace with terracotta tile floor, rattan pergola ceiling, swing seat and coastal city views — Rooftop terrace — terracotta tile, rattan pergola and coastal views

Coastal Minimalism — covered outdoor terrace with rattan slatted ceiling, built-in plaster daybed and city views through full-height glazing — Covered terrace — rattan ceiling, plaster daybed and city views

Coastal Minimalism — living room with arched openings, dark timber arched door, multiple seating areas and dark slate floor — Living room — arched openings and dark timber door

Coastal Minimalism — living room arched corridor view with gallery wall of framed art and cream furniture — Arched corridor into the living room — gallery wall beyond

Coastal Minimalism — dining room with long white table, brown leather chairs, woven pendant and arched wall niche — Dining room — white table, leather chairs and woven pendant

Coastal Minimalism — entrance corridor with two plaster arched openings and wall sconces leading to the living room, Malindi, Kilifi — Entrance corridor — arched openings and wall sconces

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