Design of a two-bedroom apartment in a Khrushev building with soft and cozy decor

Moscow, Russia

Year of design: 2015

Size: 55 m²

Building type: Khrushchev’s brick 5-storey house

A three-room apartment for a family with two teenage daughters underwent a complete renovation.

Planning solution

It was designed to include play areas, study zones, and workspaces, since both parents work remotely from home:

One elongated bedroom was divided into a smaller bedroom, a storage room was converted into a walk-in closet, and part of the space was allocated to the kitchen-living room.
The living room itself was also divided into an office, with part of it given to the kitchen-living room.
The kitchen, living room, and part of the bedroom were combined into one large kitchen-living area.
Light was brought into the other rooms through an interior window, glass doors, and glass block walls.
The bathroom was expanded at the expense of part of the hallway.
The children’s room was divided into two zones by a built-in wardrobe partition:
– a study area;
– a sleeping area, which features a bunk bed and a TV opposite it.
Additional storage was created from repainted IKEA shoe cabinets.

The result is a very cozy apartment where everyone has their own personal space.

Kitchen-Living room

The main room is rich in tactile, pleasant materials: the sofa, cushions, throws, chairs, and even curtains feature soft, pleasant-to-the-touch textiles; the floor is made of natural wood planks; and the dining set is finished with veneer. All this softness is contrasted with rough surfaces: brick walls, decorative plaster resembling concrete, and a contemporary reinterpretation of Soviet industrial glass blocks in the residential interior. A dark chandelier adds a dramatic touch.

Daylight from the window plays a crucial role for the workspace. The windowsill desk may look small, but it conceals hidden storage systems that conveniently house sewing supplies and the sewing machine itself.

Cozy loungers, hammocks, and a hanging cat house are also located here. Every interior detail was handcrafted: furniture upholstery and colorful accents. Bright prints and textured fabrics made of linen, wool, and leather set the mood of sunny Italy.

The light, multi-functional living room is unified by a ceiling cornice painted olive green. This color echoes the shades of the kitchen, the side surfaces of the desk, and the metal elements of the wall-mounted cat structures.

Massive wall-mounted furniture was avoided to prevent drawing attention to the low ceilings.

French windows bring even more light into the apartment, while the chair with an ottoman on the balcony creates a sense of extended space. Glass doors to the office-library and the window to the bedroom serve the same purpose.

Bedroom

The parents’ bedroom is small but accommodates a large bed and a pouf with internal storage. A full walk-in closet was created in place of the former storage room. A TV was mounted opposite the bed-there are four TVs in this apartment, one for each family member, as everyone has different hobbies and preferences.

Children's room

The girls’ room is decorated in powdery shades, with fabrics for the chair upholstery and curtains selected individually.

The large windowsill desk transitions into a children’s library. Additional storage space is organized in its lower units.

A very narrow space along the wall under the TV has been utilized for storing large canvases and other art supplies.

Cabinet

In the walk-through room, a home office, a small library, and a closet for storing seasonal items and sports equipment were organized.

The office was enclosed with tall, light-transmitting doors. There is also a small section of glass block wall leading to the bathroom.

Bathroom

Abundant daylight and increased space allowed for the addition of a luxury feature: a freestanding clawfoot bathtub adorned with a mosaic wall panel.

A carpet with koi fish was laid on the floor. The furniture finish in natural veneer was complemented by warm truffle-colored walls painted with moisture-resistant paint.