A Colorful 83 m2 Family Apartment with a Home Office: Photos, Video, and Interior Estimate
This interior was designed for a creative family who knew exactly what they wanted: a warm, inviting home for relaxing and finding inspiration together. The clients were highly specific about their color palette, insisting that not a single trace of gray should be present in the design. In response, we crafted a nostalgic interior that subtly references their Soviet-era childhood—vibrant in color and defined by fluid, organic forms. Crucially, we also addressed their two main practical priorities: achieving excellent soundproofing and ensuring continuous fresh air circulation.
Our company handled both the design and the full renovation. We prepared a detailed estimate and secured the construction costs during the design phase. From procuring all materials to custom-designing and manufacturing the built-in furniture specifically for this space, we managed the entire process. The agreed budget remained fixed from start to finish.
| Size |
83 m2 |
| Type |
A two-bedroom apartment |
| Years |
2025–2026 |
| Features |
Load‑bearing pylon in the center, low ceilings |
A narrow, cramped bathroom
A dark, irregularly shaped hallway
A load-bearing pylon in the center of the apartment
A dedicated laundry room carved out of the bathroom
A second bathroom integrated into the primary bedroom
The children’s room expanded by borrowing space from an adjacent bedroom
The window sill removed to make way for full-height French doors
The partition between the kitchen-living area and the hallway removed to bring in natural light
Despite its vintage charm, the apartment is equipped with top-notch ventilation and soundproofing. To maintain the original ceiling height, we opted for wall-mounted ventilation units that filter and pre-heat incoming air, eliminating the need to open windows. For acoustics, we implemented maximum soundproofing measures across all floors, ceilings, and walls, complemented by high-performance acoustic glazing. Together, these upgrades keep the home clean and quiet.
We began by completely reconfiguring the layout. The family required a comfortable bedroom for their daughters, a home office integrated into the primary suite, and a welcoming open-plan kitchen and living area for relaxing evenings. The original floor plan simply couldn’t accommodate these needs: there was no space for a proper children’s room or laundry area, the living zone felt cramped, and a dark, awkwardly shaped hallway connected the rooms.
One of the clients' key requests was the inclusion of glass blocks. We incorporated them high on the wall between the kitchen and the guest bathroom, creating a distinctive architectural feature reminiscent of mid-century interiors. Below this glass-block transom sit low-profile oak-veneer cabinets, topped with an amber-toned mosaic tile backsplash and paired with base units featuring colorful hardware.
Rather than being pushed against a wall, the kitchen functions as a freestanding island unit. While it appears to lack full-height storage, we cleverly concealed two built-in refrigerators behind pistachio-green fronts. By recessing these tall units into the footprint of the adjacent children's room, the cabinetry looks deceptively shallow from the living area.
Every piece of furniture was carefully selected or custom-designed to make a statement. Rather than blending into the background, the pieces boldly assert their presence through color, texture, shape, and detailing. As a result, the interior reveals itself in layered, visually rich vignettes that invite closer exploration.
A door to the right of the kitchen leads to a compact laundry room, cleverly carved out of the previously elongated bathroom. It neatly houses a washing machine, a tumble dryer, a drying cabinet, and open shelving for household supplies.
For the dining area, we selected an extendable table large enough to accommodate family and friends. Its curved silhouette is mirrored in a striking pendant light and a sculpted plaster wall panel. The panel deliberately lacks dedicated lighting, allowing natural daylight to gently highlight its textured, organic form.
In the lounge area, an olive-green upholstered sofa with a curved backrest takes center stage. Opposite, we reimagined a familiar interior piece from the clients’ childhood: a glass-front display cabinet. It features a mix of clear sliding doors and fluted hinged panels. Underfoot, oak-veneer flooring is laid in a classic herringbone pattern; the varied direction of the grain catches the light, adding a subtle layer of texture to the space.
The open-plan design allows for an engaging sightline from the living room directly into the hallway. By removing doors and partitions, natural light now floods the entrance. From the sofa, one can spot a substantial cabinet elevated on slender legs, set against a wall clad in small-scale green and turquoise tiles that subtly echo the kitchen cabinetry.
In the hallway, we installed coat hooks at a lower height, perfectly accessible for the younger family members. The ceiling here, as well as in the guest bathroom, is painted in a rich terracotta—one of the clients' favorite hues.
Upon entering, the family is greeted not only by natural light but also by a striking tapestry titled Birds on a Tree, set against a golden background and crafted by the Lieba brothers. The clients acquired two additional tapestries as the project progressed, and they integrated seamlessly into the design. We added a frosted-glass sconce above the hallway piece, while another tapestry, Tsaritsyno Island, hangs gracefully above the headboard in the primary bedroom.
After reallocating space for the laundry room, we expanded the remaining footprint of the guest bathroom by borrowing a few inches from the hallway. We opted for small-format tiles with a charmingly irregular, handcrafted feel and a naive pattern. Vintage-style fixtures and a delicate sconce complete the look, while a shallow mirrored cabinet cleverly conceals electrical outlets.
To create a spacious room for the girls, we took over part of the adjoining bedroom, resulting in a generous 18-square-meter space.
We arranged two beds and two desks symmetrically, ensuring ample storage with wardrobes, open shelving, a bookcase, and drawers. One wall features rhythmic floral wallpaper, the circular motifs of which are playfully repeated in the cabinet hardware. We selected two brightly colored beds that easily transition into daybeds when friends visit, leaving the center of the room entirely open for play.
Following the layout adjustments, we introduced an en-suite bathroom to the primary bedroom. A section of the dividing wall is constructed from glass blocks that run along the ceiling and cascade down to the floor, washing the bathroom in natural light and beautiful reflections. The space is finished with a fluted-glass shower screen, brass-toned fixtures, and an ornate wall sconce.
We custom-designed a freestanding chest of drawers, intentionally misaligning the wood grain on the drawer fronts for a dynamic look. The floor is clad in porcelain tiles featuring a geometric floral motif, while one accent wall showcases large-format porcelain stoneware with a tactile, knitted texture.
In the primary bedroom, the curved headboard mirrors the silhouette of the living room sofa. A small nightstand sits to the left of the bed, paired with a low shelving unit on the right. This deliberate asymmetry breaks the conventional layout and injects a sense of vintage charm.
Against a deep green accent wall, we created a dedicated workspace for the client. Floating above the desk is a custom-designed, rounded bookshelf manufactured by our team.
For wardrobe storage, we built two custom closets: one wrapped in warm oak veneer, and another finished in white with natural rattan panels.
A separate home office was designed for the homeowner. The walls are wrapped in wallpaper featuring green circular motifs that subtly reference the plaster wall panel in the kitchen. We installed extensive shelving and wall-mounted units to elegantly display his collection of antiques.
Originally, the balcony entrance featured a standard window sill unit. We removed this to install elegant, full-height French doors. To the right of the entrance, we placed a cozy bench with an upholstered seat and backrest, while a spacious floor-to-ceiling wardrobe occupies the left side.
At the design stage, we meticulously selected all objects and materials. Our attention to detail ensured the final interior closely matched our original sketches.
?autoplay=1"
title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0"
allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"
allowfullscreen>
In our full video walkthrough of this interior, we discuss these technical and design solutions in greater detail. The video is available on our YouTube channel.
