I’ll admit the title might seem a bit dry at first glance, but trust me – this story is worth reading because there’s so much more to it than any headline could capture. Let me introduce you to Dacian Morar, a 36-year-old travel enthusiast with an interesting perspective on accommodation.
As a partner in a successful food trading company, Dacian enjoys both financial stability and the opportunity to visit numerous destinations. His work has taken him across Europe – from business meetings to personal getaways. But here’s what makes his story unique: during all his travels to cities like Rome, Paris, Madrid, and Barcelona, he consistently chose to rent private apartments rather than stay in hotels.
More specifically, he developed a preference for «hotel houses» – entire homes rented on a nightly basis. This accommodation style gave him firsthand experience as both a traveler and temporary resident in these vibrant cities.
Then came the pivotal moment: returning to his longtime apartment in central Cluj-Napoca, Dacian had an epiphany. After experiencing so many rentals abroad, he asked himself a simple but transformative question: «Why shouldn’t I rent out my own place in Cluj when I’m away?» This realization would mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Not one to waste time, Dacian – now brimming with inspiration from all the apartments he’d seen – dove headfirst into his new venture. He completely renovated his Cluj home, and the project ignited such passion that he’s since acquired five more properties.
Here’s how his unique approach works: He invests his food trade earnings exclusively in older, centrally-located apartments with those gorgeous high ceilings you only find in historic buildings. As he explains, «You save substantially compared to modern units, yet these classical spaces offer so much more character.»
But this isn’t just about flipping properties. Along the way, Dacian discovered an unexpected talent for interior design. Each renovation becomes a creative laboratory where he adapts and implements ideas collected during his travels. The apartment you’re seeing now? Entirely his vision.
For the color schemes, he collaborated with painter Florin Ștefan, a longtime friend who perfectly translated Dacian’s concepts onto the walls. And this is just the beginning – you’ll notice countless thoughtful details throughout the space, each with its own story.
Of course, not everything was like the wheels.
In those early days, Dacian cycled through multiple teams of craftsmen, facing frustrations, re-dos, and unexpected changes. But persistence paid off – he eventually assembled a dream team of skilled artisans. Take the kitchen’s striking centerpieces: the custom hood and sink crafted by Lali Gabor (yes, that Lali Gabor – the jovial, Facebook-famous Cluj craftsman who’s even made film appearances). They met serendipitously at a local artisan fair, and within just 3-4 days, Lali created these hand-beaten copper masterpieces for about 1,200 lei. The weight and texture alone reveal their artisanal quality.
The kitchen cabinets tell another story of craftsmanship – produced by a Cluj workshop specializing exclusively in solid wood. Though I won’t share their contact (their 3-4 month waiting list speaks volumes about their reputation).
Then there’s that showstopping «cozonac» luminaire – not Dacian’s original idea (he credits a local bar for the inspiration), but perfectly executed here. It’s these thoughtful details that transform spaces from ordinary to extraordinary.
To make all bright and more spacious, the old apartment has been modified
To brighten and expand the old apartment, the space was carefully reimagined, particularly where the living room meets the kitchen. While the original parquet flooring was lovingly restored in the living area, the kitchen required new flooring—a near-perfect match found at Groaterr, with an almost identical grain and tone. The living room furniture, crafted from Quandhin wood, features a Dalin sofa, matching chairs, and a round table, creating a cohesive look. A clever touch was repurposing an antique console, refurbished to serve as a modern TV stand, blending old-world charm with functionality.
The interior carpentry, including the bedroom beds, was painted in a custom shade recommended by Dacian’s painter friend. Meanwhile, the walls were intentionally finished with aged plaster, complementing the exposed brick accent in the kitchen—a detail that not only adds texture but also highlights the building’s original structure. Every choice honors the apartment’s history while elevating it with thoughtful, contemporary design.
One of the bedrooms features a particularly striking industrial-style pallet bed frame – don’t let the rugged look fool you, because the Fivestar mattress from Mobexpert (imported from the U.S.) makes it incredibly comfortable. I can personally vouch for its quality after testing it myself – worth every penny.
For lighting, Dacian collaborated with a local craftsman to create custom-made fixtures following his sketches. You’ll notice the unique bulbs aren’t typical Romanian finds – he sourced these vintage pieces online from UK suppliers at Vintage Lights, along with the stylish rope-wrapped cables used for the hanging lights throughout the apartment. Even the bathroom sink tells a story – salvaged from the street and restored by a skilled artisan, while all sanitaryware and tiles were carefully selected from quality suppliers.
While the apartment maintains a minimalist aesthetic, it’s perfectly suited for families or friend groups seeking an alternative to impersonal hotel stays. The reasonable rates (visible on clujaparts.ro) reflect Dacian’s vision of creating accessible yet distinctive accommodations.
This particular renovation represents one of Dacian’s passion projects, with costs ranging between €10,000-15,000. His signature touches – the high ceilings, international design influences tailored to tourist preferences, and thoughtful details – explain why the space attracts mostly foreign guests. But locals working in Cluj should take note too; it’s a hidden gem that proves functional design can be beautiful. Dacian’s success demonstrates what happens when business savvy meets genuine passion for creating special spaces.
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