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FAMILY HOUSE WITH EXCELLENT STYLE AND BEAUTIFUL BRIGHT OAK PARQUET

by Lana Lovrić | Aug 23, 2021

We are taking you to a beautiful house in Zagreb where a young family lives and who has finally fulfilled her dreams. We talked about their experience of buying real estate, decorating, as well as how they met and loved the Mopar brand.

Initially, our interlocutors were tenants and they were in no hurry to look for a home that they could fully call “their” own. So for 10 years, with some interruptions, they were looking for something that would suit them perfectly. In the meantime, their daughters grew up, so in the process of searching, their needs changed, but they often ended up dissatisfied with excessive and unfavorable offers. All of this has led them several times to the need to take a break from searching for the ideal property for months or even years.

It is true that each of us has a list of priorities in our search, but also of a compromises that we are willing to agree to and perhaps speed up the buying process a bit. So this family of ours would often encounter something that did not suit them, but for which they would have to make a bigger compromise that they did not want to agree to. In addition, their satisfaction with the rented apartment in which they had lived all these years provided them with an anchor with which they were satisfied at the time. The rented apartment was really great for them, and the landlord was like a dream – tolerant and approachable. They decorated it according to their wishes, with their furniture, and even in that apartment they moved some walls, changed the color of the carpentry and settled in it until the moment when they outgrew it. As the girls grew, so did their needs. Thinking that their current apartment was great, they became aware that they were missing just one room.

From the need for another room, looking at ads for a larger apartment, they came to buy a spacious house and then realised their dream. One day they noticed an ad for the perfect house that suits them, it was located in the current neighborhood, which suited them very well, because all activities and life were related to it (school, kindergarten, sports activities). The house was in relatively good condition, “a little painting”, they thought it would be enough and that they would move in quickly. But their main condition during the purchase of the house was that the windows could be slightly expanded. The owners started from the window and ended up with only the walls left, and under the pretext of “now that we are changing this, we could only do this”, they got an almost completely new house! As for the compromise – there were none. With this house they got a lot of potential and they did a lot more than what they were looking for.

“The adaptation process lasted a year. We hired an architect who helped us a lot. From changing schedules to practical tips. She also recommended us the construction workers she normally collaborates with and it was a complete hit. I think that we are one of the few who have only words of praise for the construction workers about the renovation process! ”, the owner tells us about the adaptation process itself.

Their renovation took a couple of months longer due to delays in carpentry and solving documentation, so the masters were waiting for them, and not the other way around… It was the paperwork and solving the building permit that was the biggest challenge when decorating the house.

How did the parquet selection process go? Where did you meet the Mopar brand and what did you first start with when choosing the best parquet for you: from the color, shape or way of stacking?

“Since our whole house is decorated in the Scandinavian style, I knew right at the beginning that the parquet must be bright and large. For Mopar, I received a recommendation from the architect, but also from a couple of friends. So that was my first destination to choose from. I’ve already seen parquet on the web that would suit us, and in the showroom I looked at them live and realised that’s it! It was one of the easier choices!” Said the owner who opted for Mopar parquet from the Trend collection in the color Design. In addition, she stated that another practical item for the parquet was the paint for the steps. Namely, the carpenter who worked on their staircase took the same color of parquet from Mopar and repainted the treads with it. This is definitely an advantage because they get a uniform color of the floors throughout the house. Also Mopar parquet is suitable for the installation of underfloor heating, which was a great wish of our interlocutors.

During our visit to the house, we were strongly impressed by the large glass door with wrought iron frames that separate the entrance area from the living room. The large “open space”, which was preceded by the demolition of the load-bearing wall and the implementation of greater support, convinced us that all the effort around it really paid off. The left side of this large space is reserved for a spacious and comfortable light-colored set opposite the TV sole and a wall adorned with detail, decor with wooden slats. The living room has a large glass wall overlooking the garden, and is separated from the kitchen by a small area for reading, drinking coffee and a short break. A large, non-standard window with 2 comfortable rattan armchairs and a couple of designer details definitely caught our attention the most. In the second part there is a symmetrical white kitchen with a worktop in white marble decor with gray details. A large bar with a pair of wooden bar stools and a round dining table are a place where the family happily gathers around the table.

The upper floor of the house is reserved for bedrooms, but already from the stairs the view extends to the beautiful bathroom with a free-standing bathtub that takes your breath away. Parquet continues its story on the upper floor and is perfectly connected with the bright Scandinavian style of decoration. Upstairs, we liked the bedroom the most. In addition to the built-in wardrobe with sliding doors in black glass that every woman would like, the central place is occupied by a bed with excellent indirect lighting and side hanging lamps that are very effective in copper-pink color.

When asked how they maintain the parquet and how grateful it is, they answer that two new “family members” have moved into the house with them: robotic vacuum cleaners with which the maintenance of the floors is really easy and undemanding. While one vacuums daily, the other wipes the parquet once a week with a little liquid and keeps them clean. This help with cleaners came in handy given the brightness of the parquet, but especially on the large area of the house.

After a few months of living in this house, the owners would not change anything at all! They are very happy with everything and are enjoying their new home to the fullest, and we are glad that we are taking a part of this story.

Enjoy in the pictures for which Sanja Bistričić is responsible and explore our products:: www.mopar.hr

BARBARA NOLA: ADAPTATION DIARY PART 2

by Lana Lovrić | Apr 8, 2021

The apartment is finished, everything has fallen into place, and Mopar parquet suits perfectly. Barbara Nola chose it from the Herringbone collection in a beautiful natural wood color. It turned out that forming in fishbone pattern is in the spirit of the old town apartment and that it certainly follows the character of the furniture, but also the owners themselves.

Although she says that she is not a great talent for space, has a hard time deciding and is afraid of earthquakes, but she has her husband Lukas with her, who is the complete opposite in that respect. They are both lovers of design, beautiful things, art… making their new apartment truly radiant.

After the first tired day of moving, Barbara experienced her first awakening in a new apartment and realized how wonderful it is and how quickly a person adjusts to better. This was followed by several days of unpacking, several chaotic days in which one you try to balance between private and business obligations, and assembling furniture and storing. Although the first days passed in anticipation of the kitchen, everything fell into place when she arrived. “Now that main room, where we cook, eat, talk, lie on the sofa and learn texts, has come to life wonderfully,” says Barbara enthusiastically. Although she eventually got very tired of it all, she says it paid off.

“Our neighbors are wonderful, the building withstood the earthquake well, but we are still going to arrange and strengthen the attic and that is great. I hope that in time we will work on strengthening the building, because I think that all the buildings in the center, except for the facades, need a good reinforcement. I would love for this beautiful city to shine with full splendor again, because it truly depresses me as it is now.” Barbara shared with us.

First of all, she learned from this adaptation: “that you need to be patient, because everything takes longer than you imagined and longer than promised. The proverb “promise is a crazy joy” is definitely valid here. You need to be patient but active, and constantly call and ask when something will come that is late and when the people who work will come and finish the job. You need to be present as much as possible while the work is going on and say clearly what you want and what is important to you, but don’t reassure people that they can’t do their job. Then you need to think carefully about what is important, ie what you will not be able to do once you move in.”

The apartment truly exudes character on every corner, from the parquet itself, to the little things that enrich the home. The spacious and large rooms with high ceilings with lots of sun have housed original pieces of furniture from the family heritage. Large and heavy chests of drawers several decades old, as well as beds and antique closets, have found their place in an apartment that already at first matched the owners with its layout. The apartment is old-fashioned, and yet somewhat slightly modernized, and radiates a pleasant peace. A few new details, purchased modern pieces of furniture, discount chairs and green armchairs, and industrial pendants, gave a great balance. The eclectic interior that radiates warmth and comfort undoubtedly reveals the character of our famous theater, film and television actress, and the home has finally got its own backdrop that we have no doubt the whole Nola family will enjoy.

In the end, Barbara is happy that she listened to the advice from Mopar, and that they changed all the parquets, not just one room and the hallway as originally planned. Everything can change later, but the floors – very difficult. Barbara says for Mopar parquets that they are world class and of Croatian production, and that they deserve a top master – Mr. Radiković, who did his job of laying parquets excellently.

In the end, Barbara wishes everyone who embarks on adaptations and relocations “a lot of happiness, patience, mutual understanding and love, and as little expenses as possible.”

Fotografije: Sanja Bistričić

WHY IS HUMIDIFICATION IMPORTANT FOR PARQUET?

by Lana Lovrić | Nov 4, 2020

You have beautiful parquet in your apartment or house and are you thinking about its durability? Have you ever thought about the impact of humidity on the quality of wooden floors? This topic is often completely neglected and we do not take enough care of it. In this article, we bring you information on how you can improve the quality of wooden floors, but also the quality of the air in your home.

What you need to know is that wood is a hygroscopic material, that is it absorbs moisture from the air. We wrote recently about the importance of proper cleaning and maintenance, paying special attention to just sufficient draining of the wiping cloth, as well as the bad effects of steam cleaners on wooden floors. But with the arrival of colder days, space heating also enters the “story”, so a new question arises – how to ensure enough humidity in the room at the same time.

If you are more often tired, irritable, sleepy or have less concentration during colder days, this may be due to a lack of moisture in the space in which you live and stay. It is the dry air that will cause your skin to dry out and itch, and with the drying of the airway mucosa, we are more susceptible to various infections that we have been trying to avoid lately.

If dry air can harm your skin, have you thought about it being an enemy to your parquet as well?

All wood materials, including floors, react to the amount of moisture in the air, behaving literally like a sponge. Any change in humidity will cause changes to the wooden floors, and too much and too little moisture in the air can also cause damage. When the air is dry and the wood dries out, it reduces its volume, just like a sponge, and the wood can also crack and burst. A sure sign that the air in the room is dry is the appearance of “joints” and / or cracks between the parquet slats. To preserve the integrity of wood floors in the months when you heat the room or the air is dry for some other reason, it is essential to ensure that the room is humidified. It should be noted here that low temperatures do not mean higher relative humidity, and in winter, low temperatures are often the culprit for the appearance of cracks and “joints” between individual parquet slats.

How to humidify the air in the rooms during the winter months?

The optimal humidity indoors throughout the year is between 45 and 60% relative humidity, at a temperature of 18-22 C. All MOPAR wooden floors are manufactured just for these conditions and will be optimal with them. During the winter, that is, even more so during the days and months when we heat the space, the relative humidity in it is very often too low and should be increased. You can do this in several ways and very easily with the help of handy tools. We bring you a few ways and tips to achieve this, thereby improving the comfort of your stay in the space and even contribute to your overall health.

If you are not at all sure about the relative humidity in your rooms, be sure to look for a device that will show you this. Today, many such devices can be found in stores at very affordable prices, and most often these are temperature indicators that measure the relative humidity.

2. Indoor plants significantly contribute to the maintenance of relative humidity in the room and the air quality itself. In addition, we feel calmer with them, and they have a positive effect on our health. The selection of houseplants is really diverse and there are species that are not at all demanding to maintain, so it would be a shame not to have at least two in most rooms. In addition, they are also a good indicator of the air condition of your rooms – if you notice that the plants dry out quickly, the air is definitely too dry, and this will quickly be seen on wooden floors.

3. Place a bowl of water on the radiator. With the presence of a high temperature radiator, the water will evaporate and humidify the space faster, and you can add a few drops of essential oil to the same container to improve air quality.

Cooking on the stove in the winter months releases moisture into the air and thus increases the relative humidity of the air.
By releasing the accumulated steam and moisture after showering by opening the bathroom door, the moisture will flow quickly through the nearby rooms in your home and very easily bring in the necessary moisture.
Get a humidifier. The primary criterion by which you will choose this product should be the size of the room to be humidified. For smaller rooms, bedrooms, table humidifiers will be enough for you. But there are higher capacity humidifiers that require less frequent charging. Although you will think that larger humidifiers will solve the problem, you should be careful because they will produce too much moisture in smaller rooms, which is again the basis for the possible development of bacteria, and the wood in the room will have a bad effect. When choosing, you will come across different humidifiers with different tank capacities. The size of the device does not necessarily correlate with the size of the tank, so pay attention to this. You will also choose between a cool mist and a warm mist. Cool mist humidifiers consume less electricity and work on the principle of ultrasound (quieter and better quality) or a fan, while warm mist humidifiers heat the water in the tank with a hot mist and consume a lot of electricity.
Get a diffuser with essential oils. In doing so, pay attention to the importance of the quality of your diffuser, as well as the high quality of the essential oils you will use. Essential oils should not be heated to the evaporation temperature as this will break down their compounds. Ultrasonic diffusers do not heat the essential oils, but spray them cold into the space in the form of tiny droplets and mists. Precisely such diffusers work on the principle of mixing water and essential oils.Water will have the effect of moisturizing your space, and a diffuser will help the well-being of your health. It is known that some essential oils have antimicrobial activity, as they contribute to strengthening the immune system, improve sleep quality and general psychophysical health. Although such diffusers consume a certain amount of water during their operation, they are not basically humidifiers. While humidifiers consume several liters of water, water diffusers measure water consumption in decilitres.

Finally, it should be mentioned that the relative humidity in the room is too high (in relation to the temperature) – although it is somewhat rarer in homes and workplaces, care should be taken that this condition does not last too long, because the wood will receive this moisture, and thereby swell or increas the volume like a sponge. As a consequence, damage can occur on the parquet, but also elsewhere.

With this we have given you only a brief description of the connection between wood, humidity and temperature and the most basic tips for solving the problem. If you are interested in more about this topic or have questions, write to us at a info@mopar.hr

THE LATEST TRENDS IN THE WORLD OF MODERN WOODEN FLOORS

by Lana Lovrić | Jul 2, 2020

Find out why Nataša Janjić and Andrea Andrassy chose MOPAR floors for their homes…

Despite the development of technology and the new building materials we have available today, there is actually no material that can bring as much warmth and texture to our home as wood! Natural patterns and shades of wood can enliven cool spaces, make them comfortable and attractive, and it is also a beautiful, adaptable and durable element of decoration that you can’t go wrong with. If you follow the current trends, you have certainly noticed that more and more often in the interiors there are walls covered with wood, while wooden floors have never really gone out of fashion, and what trends currently prevail in the world of wooden floors, we reveal below.

Trend no. 1: Geometric shapes

Geometric shapes have long inspired the world of interiors, so there is no doubt that such a pattern is in demand in the domain of modern wooden floors. The Shape collection hides an element of trapezoids and rhomboids, the combination of which provides inexhaustible possibilities for stacking patterns.

By combining two trapezoids, you will get a hexagon pattern, and in a combination of hexagons and a few rhomboids – you will get a unique parquet pattern, a decor with which you will truly impress others. When you add the ability to combine different colors, there is no end to the creative game. The decor that you will not go wrong with even if you implement it on the floor, as well as on the wall, has recently really found its popularity both in homes and business premises. In the Mopar showroom in Zagreb that you can arrange a completely individual approach to your story that you want to tell in your interior.

Trend no. 2: Chevron

You will find a chevron pattern in the Castle collection, which delights at first sight, inspired by history and filled with charm. Although it resembles a fishbone at first, the main difference is that the shorter side is at an angle of 45, 52 or 60 degrees and is symmetrically arranged in the shape of the letter “V”. This interesting pattern is proof that it can traditionally fit perfectly into modern interiors.

Trend no. 3: Oil coatings

Another variant of parquet protection that is used today is – oil coating. This option offers a lot of freedom in creating new ways of processing and colors. Today we have completely new generations of oiled parquets in which the oil allows the wood to breathe, and the parquet has its own resistance. Also, the time has passed for parquets to be chosen according to “class”. For some time now, it is desirable that the parquet comes with all its small irregularities and has more pronounced natural characteristics of wood, so it looks natural, not monotonous and completely uniform.

Brushing wooden floors has become most popular with the increasing use of oil as a finish. The oil itself leaves the warmth and texture of the wood to the touch, and brushing expresses that texture even more. It only takes a little courage, listening to your own intuition and faith in your creativity, and the parquet will turn out fantastic in any space.

Trend no. 4: Parquet even in the kitchen

With the modern way of life, kitchens are often associated with the living room or become truly part of that space. Wood tended to be practical in application, easier to maintain and leave the impression of an open space. It so happened that the parquet slowly pushed the ceramics out of the kitchens and hallways, and this was facilitated by the fact that today wood veneers are produced that have a stronger resistance to wear and moisture.

Whichever of the trends you choose when decorating your new project, an interior that you plan to truly enjoy, we believe you will not go wrong. Especially when we know that Mopar floors are chosen by people who want their interior to tell a story. Tell your wishes to our sales consultants in the showroom in Strojarska Street, Zagreb, and we will do our best to turn your wishes into a beautiful reality.

MODERN & STYLISHLY DECORATED APARTEMENT IN ZAGREB

by Lana Lovrić | Jun 10, 2020

Last week we had the opportunity to visit a luxury apartment on Sveti Duh in Zagreb. Already when arranging the shooting, we were sensing that this is a truly special apartment from the conversation with owners who are very proud of it. The cordiality and smile of this young married couple await us upon entering, but we look forward to look at the apartment, which already leaves a strong impression on us. At the end of the entrance hall, our view reaches towards the “walk-in” closet, and the photographer Sanja Bistričić and I are already thinking about the angle of the shooting and admiring the overall impression.

The hallway is divided in this place and while one part leads to the sleeping / working part of the apartment, the other leads us to the living room connected to the dining room and surrounded by a glass wall and terrace with one of the most beautiful views of the city we had the opportunity to see. They immediately tell us enthusiastically how they were introduced to the Mopar brand through the architect and admit that they chose the parquet before the apartment itself. They knew exactly what they wanted. Already during the tour of the apartment, we notice that the owners are looking for a modern, simple design and clean lines. The parquet they chose is from the Trend collection and in a lacquered finish in the shade Intuition, gray-brown colour. They are extremely satisfied with the maintenance of this lacquered parquet, indicating its durability and wear resistance.

Pale-gray, simple and comfortable corner sofa has taken a central place in the apartment, and the striking large glass surfaces give the apartment a lot of light. Precisely because it comes from various sources, from the west and the north, creating a perfect play of light in the center of the apartment. Carefully selected pieces of design furniture, a combination of Scandinavian and Dutch style, striking and unique details and decorations, and various works of art, have ennobled this space and given it a special modern expression.

At that moment, we notice the kitchen, connected to the dining room, which, with a roof window and cashmere-colored decor, leaves an impression of beauty and warmth. This is where we notice how the owners followed the trends when it comes to parquets even in the kitchen, thus creating the impression of large areas, open space and stylistic uniqueness.

The real pearl of this apartment is the bedroom with a designer bed, an art reading corner and another panoramic view that extends across the terrace.

Enjoy in photos…

Photo: Sanja Bistričić

NATAŠA JANJIĆ – ADAPTATION LOG / PART 2

by Lana Lovrić | May 28, 2020

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It has been some time since Nataša Janjić, then still pregnant for the first time, was decorating her apartment. In the first part of the adaptation blog, we brought you a story about the choice of parquet and all the dilemmas and wishes of the apartment owner that needed to be satisfied. This time we bring her apartment in its entirety, from the perspective of the famous actress, the owner of this beautiful old-town apartment in the center of Zagreb.

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Writing: Nataša Janjić

The living room is the central room in the apartment through which all the others branch. It is 18 square meters in size and is separated from the kitchen by a load-bearing wall with beautiful cassette stock and a door for intimacy as needed, located to the south. Although not the largest room in the apartment, connected to the kitchen in this way, it forms over 35 square meters of the main living space with 3 seating points. Enough for one fair party, right?

In it we kept an old tiled stove, the only one of the three from the remaining rooms that was connected to the chimney. I dismantled the others and kept them in the woodshed. Somehow I even had the idea that one day, in case of a change of interior, I could put a fireplace in its place. But the tiled stove fit in wonderfully with the style, and around it I decided to form a small reading nook, with a comfortable dark green armchair and a coffee table. The main element of the living room is a large gold-colored corner sofa, which, despite its large dimensions, did not visually endanger the squares, and which we warmed with green pillows and connected to the armchair of the reading corner.

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When removing the old paint in this room during the renovation, we were reminded of one fantastic salmon shade of the walls that had opened up in the background, which we then decided to replicate anew. Fearing that we would not be able to hit it faithfully, and with the certainty that we definitely do not want white walls after it, we turned to the ‘safe’ variant and painted them gray. We didn’t regret it because the gray warmed the room, accentuated the white stucco, and soothed all the other color games. Gray curtains also fit into it. Three-meter-high windows provide so much light, and given the old protected construction and the requirements of the existing facade, blinds were out of the question.

Libraries are my true fetish in apartments and although I have always dreamed of walls full of books, we opted for breathable glass shelves in metal construction, not at all expensive, but high to the ceiling and very functional. All the memories, books, gramophone and records took place there.

I brought in a large tree and a small double metal-gold coffee table, complete for enjoying movie nights.

We renovated and refreshed all the doors in the apartment with paint, and we did the same with the beautiful cassette stocks that everyone is in love with when they enter the apartment. We even kept the antique brass door handles we found upon moving in, polishing them to their former beauty.

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We have come to the most important part of my apartment, the one I call my empire. Although I do not present myself as a great housewife, what brings me closer to that title is a beautiful and well-organized kitchen. You know for yourself that in small and dilapidated kitchens you don’t have much inspiration or will to cook. Well, I decided to prevent that. It’s no secret that the best parties, as well as all house gatherings, always end up in that part of the apartment, and I had that in mind when furnishing.

The 17-square-foot room to the north with access to a 4.5-square-foot balcony, overlooking a quiet courtyard and garden, was a dilapidated but functional warm kitchen with a dining area and I decided to keep it that way.

I mentioned to you that an important factor in my purchase was that I didn’t have to move it. I knocked down only a small pantry, which I decided to turn into a third kitchen row, and use a pull-out element to replace that pantry. I also envisioned a place for an oven and a refrigerator there. In the middle is a dry island, intended as a work surface, but also as a bar with two bar stools for gathering or morning coffee.

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At the very beginning, I was in favor of new trends: all pastel, lavender and mint colors. I admired all those open kitchens without the top elements from Pinterest, and then I tried to think longer term and regularly went back to basic colors and non-colors and a classic proven design.

I decided to bring a plant into every space, thus gaining warmth and life. Impressive lighting, as well as paintings on the wall, which, they say, are the last to be placed, so it won’t be any different here.

Finally, I take you to the bedroom, to the room where I tried to fulfill all those desires that had accumulated and shaped in my 18 years of living in rented apartments. In it, I sublimated all those unfulfilled needs of us who are prone to collecting and accumulating things, which in my case was conditioned by the fast (and public!) rhythm of life…

I therefore intended for bedroom the largest room in the apartment, 30m2 in size, and although many tried to persuade me to place a representative living room, and some even a dining room and living room, I did not give up the picture that in an intimate room such as a bedroom, I have everything that is intended for personal use and routine, and it turned out that it will serve comfortably for the baby while she is still quite small to sleep with her parents.

Undoubtedly, the Mopar parquet fit perfectly in this interior. The charming French style pattern leaves no one indifferent, and more about the Castle collection, you can find out at link.

Photo: Sanja Bistričić

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