Bright studio apartment with a library
Staraya Kupavna, Russia
Year of design: 2018
Size: 29 m2
Building type: Monolithic brick
Bright studio apartment in a new building, with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows.
Planning solution
Initially, two layouts were conceived, both requiring space for a library:
- The first option proposed an enlarged kitchen area – corner-shaped with a large refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher.
- In both options, a partition is added to separate the kitchen area.
- Zoning is also achieved with a bar counter-island, designed not only for breakfasts but also as an additional food preparation surface.
- The library is essentially placed in the kitchen area.
- The living room-bedroom was proposed to be placed by the window, with a TV unit opposite the sofa bed.
- The balcony was organized as a workspace.
- In the hallway, a built-in wardrobe and bench were placed in a single line.
- In the bathroom – a sink mounted on the washing machine, and a wall-hung toilet installed.
The room’s drawback, its elongated shape, was turned into an advantage by adding partitions and placing furniture to visually divide its volume into zones.
Materials used in the design project
Materials and colors from a natural palette: grassy green, gray concrete, natural wood, jute and rattan, linen, copper and gold-colored metal.
Color and style options
The interior is in a laconic modern style, without bright accents.
The apartment was purchased without finishing, so every centimeter of the small space could be utilized. All niches from the developer became functional and decorative. They ultimately settled on the second layout option.
In the second option (on the right in the plan) – the kitchen is small and straight, fully recessed into a niche. The addition of a partition effectively and visually increased the hallway area.
The apartment was fully soundproofed throughout its volume. Floor soundproofing was applied in the floor screed, with a coniferous underlayment laid on top. All partitions were also lined with soundproofing, including within the apartment itself. Soundproofing was also applied to the ceiling.
Waterproofing was done in the bathroom, hallway, and kitchen area. All wet areas are tiled, which additionally zoned the space.
On the balcony, the metal partition was removed to further open up the view through the beautiful panoramic windows. The brick masonry on the balcony, like all walls in the apartment, was plastered, leveled with putty, and painted white. The ceiling was decided to be finished in a decorative manner — concrete-like. The ceiling height allows it to be darker than the walls. Visually, white walls and a gray ceiling create a sense of even wider space. A white ceiling would not have given such an effect.
Bedroom-living room
The bedroom-living room area is divided by a grey-green carpet with a pattern and an architectural niche, which will later be highlighted with colour. Opposite the sofa bed with internal storage is a TV unit. It was assembled from a TV stand and bedside tables from the same series. On either side of the TV are speakers from the Swedish company Audio Pro.
The area is brought together by a basket table, where blankets are stored, and a coffee table, illuminated by a metal geometric chandelier with warm lighting.
The density of furniture and decor placement is compensated by a light background.
All walls are painted with moisture-resistant interior paint. The floor is laid with natural solid pine boards. In the TV area, a Benjamin fig tree in a woven basket is illuminated by a ceiling light made of black metal and a retro Edison lamp. All lighting fixtures in the apartment add graphical elements to the interior.
Kitchen
Despite occupying a very small area, the kitchen accommodates all necessities: a small refrigerator, cooktop, small appliances (even a planetary mixer for homemade dough), and pull-out waste sorting systems. The washing machine is also placed in the kitchen niche to make the bathroom more spacious. Glossy facades help visually deepen the space and additionally reflect light from the windows.
There was enough space even to decorate the room for children’s parties. With a little textile decoration, the addition of balloons, gift boxes, and the apartment transforms into a play space.
Workspace and library
To the left of the window, two spacious bookcases were placed. Opposite the window is a work desk with a computer. Additional storage in the form of a woven basket fits nicely under the table. To the right of the work desk are two spacious wardrobes for clothes, on top of which sits a whole orangery in woven baskets and an air humidifier.
Geometric details are evident in the decor: pendant lights, candleholders, floor mats. The color scheme is based on a combination of warm and noble shades of green, gray, and wood. These serve as the base colors, always echoing in the details.
Hallway
The artificially enlarged hallway is tiled with patterned flooring featuring warm stone textures. A spacious floor-to-ceiling wardrobe was built from drywall and louvered doors, coated with gray fumed oak colored oil. A shoe bench was placed at the entrance. The entrance door was installed with a mirror to save space.
Balcony
On the balcony, a bar counter with stools was placed and a coffee machine was installed, where the work surface can also be used for remote work. Kitchen and tea herbs grow well here too.