Lofty Beauty
THE HOME OF A HIGH-FLYING RUSSIAN BUSINESSWOMAN, THIS LOFT-STYLE APARTMENT EXUDES ELEGANCE AND FEMININITY
Walk through this airy abode in Moscow that exudes elegance and femininity
When Moscowbased studio Oleg Klodt Architecture & Design approaches a space, one of the first things it considers is the personalities and preferences of those who will use it. Its latest project at Nagorniy Boulevard is not only an impressive example of maximising functional space, it also captures the essence of the people living there. This compact 17th floor apartment, which overlooks a park and the Moscow State University, is the abode of a strong and determined businesswoman who runs one of Russia’s largest advertising agencies, and her young daughter who loves all things British. Anna Agapova, the studio’s partner and head of interior design, is used to working on expansive Russian houses. But the relatively small size (by Russian standards) of this apartment presented a challenge when it came to fitting in all of the functional zones—a kitchen, a living lounge, a master bedroom, the client’s daughter’s bedroom, a bathroom, powder rooms, as well as a laundry area and a study.
UNITY OF STYLE
To avoid overcrowding the space, Agapova thought carefully about each and every piece of furniture and decorative object that she used. “Our client wanted an American loft style look. We accomplished this by creating a ‘living’ space where rooms flow into each other, leaving a feeling of astonishing integrity. We used light and bright colours in the lounge, and minimalist furniture that evokes the feel of the Swinging Sixties. The overall result is a restrained and elegant apartment that combines Belgian motifs and the atmosphere of London with the style of a New York loft,” says Agapova. For a sleek and uncluttered aesthetic, the floors were constructed with poured concrete. Plenty of metal panels, wooden window frames, paintwork, photo-wallpaper and mirrors were also used to create the illusion of voluminous spaces within the home. “This all contributes to an atmosphere reminiscent of a top-floor Manhattan highrise apartment,” says the designer.
TACTILE ELEGANCE
To create a balance of contrasts, Agapova used a palette of colours based on a monochromatic combination of black, grey, and light-grey tones, offset with splashes of brighter shades such as yellow, turquoise for the chairs, and orange on the cushions. “There are levelled concrete floors throughout the apartment, and almost no textile is used in the decoration. Instead, comfort and softness comes in the form of plush carpets, which make for a harmonious combination with the tactile surfaces,” explains the designer. Agapova allowed the design and shapes of the furniture pieces to inform much of the design direction. She picked up furniture and decor from American brands Plantation Design, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and Restoration Hardware, along with pieces by British designers Tom Faulkner, Julian Chichester, and Joanna Bibby and Harriet Maxwell Macdonald of Ochre. A number of European items were also selected.
CONNECTED SPACES
The different zones in the apartment blend smoothly into each other, and the overall feeling is one of holistic integrity. At the entrance, MDF panel walls, a globe-shaped chandelier from Troy Lighting and a Soane Britain mirror create a hotel-like preface to the space. The living lounge, with two sofas—a larger piece from Henge and a smaller beige Autoban212—and a Riviera rug, is a cosy and chic space for parties and intimate gatherings. From the lounge, one gets a clear view into the kitchen dining area, where Agapova created an elegant yet relaxed composition. Key pieces include a tornado-like Restoration Hardware dining table made from circular sections of plywood with a black top and a textured metal apron, which is accompanied by transparent Magis chairs that are fitted with royal blue upholstered seats.
PERSONAL TOUCH
As for the master bedroom, Agapova furnished the space with distressed glass panels, a headboard tailor-made by the studio and Art Deco-inspired bedside lamps. The clean, sharp corners together with the grey and blue palette convey masculine overtones. Yet like its owner, the space still exudes feminine grace.
Sharp corners and cool colours in the home convey masculine overtones, while its elegant proportions exude a strong air of feminine grace
The daughter’s room was designed to fit the British theme that utilises the colour palette of the Union Jack. Above the bed, the individual wall-mounted lights are fused together in the pattern of the London Metro system. The wall across from the bed is decorated with wallpaper that shows views of Westminster Abbey, while her bedroom door resembles the doors of London’s double-decker buses. Some of the smaller decorative items were picked up at flea markets in London and Paris. The artworks in the apartment include a series of abstract paintings by Muscovite painter Olga Shagina, as well as artworks drawn by the owner herself. “What inspired this project was our client’s unique personality, her strength and determination. The interiors are a reflection of her style, a fusion of hard and soft elements that come together to create something wonderful,” concludes Agapova.