OLD MEETS NEW

Contemporary and sculptural pieces coexist beautifully with the period architecture of this duplex in a historical Moscow building走進莫斯科新舊交融的複式單位，透過現代傢具及藝術勾勒出建築物的歷史細節

Contemporary and sculptural pieces coexist with the period architecture of this duplex in a historical Moscow building莫斯科複式單位套，透過現代傢具及藝術勾勒出建築物的歷史細節

Inga Arshba and Daria Shirokova, of Moscow-based interior design studio I.D. Interior Design, have transformed what was formerly the second and third floor of a historic Moscow revenue house into a stunning duplex apartment with a carefully curated selection of eye-catching sculptural furnishings.

The interior architecture of this 5,188 square-foot two-level residence was in very good condition, so much of the existing stucco walls were retained. I.D. Interior Design had plenty of attractive spaces to work with as both levels have bright voluminous rooms with ceilings that are more than four metres high, along with many tall windows, some of which provide gorgeous views of one of Moscow’s most beautiful streets.

Its clients were a couple with three children who entertain frequently. Their request was for large entertaining areas, and also additional living and sleeping areas for a nanny, and for their parents when they come to visit.

“Our clients adore eclectic and French-style interiors, so we combined classic sideboards and dressers with bright and bold modern furniture and lighting,” Arshba says.

When Arshba and Shirokova walked through the space to develop the design plan, it became immediately apparent to them their client’s preference for an eclectic style, with a reference to French aesthetics, would work well within the space.

The public areas, which include an entrance hall, a guest bathroom, the living room, dining room, main kitchen, and a laundry room, are located on the first floor. Also located on this level is a master en suite bedroom and large dressing room where guests can stay.

“The owners love to host parties and dinners with friends, so we created a large living lounge with a grand piano and a dining room with a fireplace,” Shirokova says.位於莫斯科的這套5,188呎複式單位曾經是稅務大樓的二樓和三樓，歷史悠久，經過室內設計公司I.D. Interior Design兩位設計師Inga Arshba和Daria Shirokova的創意改造，化身成充滿藝術細節的優雅家居。

雖然建築物歷史悠久，但單位的結構良好，保留了大部分灰泥牆。設計團隊發現單位擁有不少先天優勢，房間寬闊明亮，加上超過四米高的天花板，為設計師提供了不少創作空間。單位更設有不少高大的門窗，部分窗戶能夠遠眺莫斯科美麗街景。

為了讓三名孩子擁有足夠活動空間，屋主夫婦希望住所擁有寬闊的娛樂空間，還有可供保姆和他們父母探訪時使用的客廳和睡房。

Inga表示：「客戶喜歡混搭風及法式裝潢風格，因此我們採用經典邊櫃和梳妝台，配以明亮大膽的

現代傢具和燈飾。」

Inga和Daria很快便認同屋主偏好的混搭風和法式設計美學將在這個空間中發揮得淋漓盡致。家居

的主生活區設於一樓，包括入口大廳、客廁、客廳、飯廳、主廚房和洗衣房。主人套房以及為客人而設的更衣室都位於此層。

Daria解釋：「屋主喜歡招呼親朋戚友，所以我們特別設計了一個放有三角琴的大型客廳和一個設

有壁爐的飯廳。」

The private areas are located on the second level, and these include the couple’s bedroom, bathroom, dressing room and a private kitchen; a small living room and three bedrooms and bathrooms for the children, and a home office.

The project’s pièce de résistance is a grand staircase that connects the public and private levels.

“Initially, we had planned on including an elevator to connect the two levels, but in the end, we decided on an elegant staircase that gives the space old-world grandeur,” Arshba says.

Arshba and Shirokova spent a lot of time choosing the design of the staircase railing. They eventually chose a forging pattern, which they adapted with complex spirals and swirls to create a historical look.

Another challenging task was choosing the chandelier that hangs above the staircase.

“It took a particularly long time to choose a chandelier above the stairs, the total height of the span of the two levels is almost eight metres, so we needed a beautiful, large, but not overly ostentatious chandelier. We finally decided on a modern design from Barovier & Toso – a family brand founded about 700 years ago – with a shape and size that fits the hallway,” Arshba says.

Most of the furniture, lighting and accessories were ordered from Europe and America, while the built-in cabinetry was custom-made in the right dimensions for the bathrooms and walk-in closets.

私人區域位於二樓，包括屋主夫婦二人的主睡房、浴室、更衣室和私人廚房。另設小客廳和三間睡房，以及孩子們的浴室，還有一個書房。而家居的亮點之一，是連接上下層的典雅樓梯。「我們在初期規劃時曾打算用電梯去連接兩層，不過最後還是決定採用

一條優雅的樓梯，使空間更具昔日的宏偉感。」Inga解釋說。

Inga和Daria花了很多時間去設計樓梯的欄杆。她們最終挑選了螺旋和

漩渦的鍛造圖案，藉以構建一種歷史感。設計項目的另一挑戰，在於物色樓梯上方的吊燈。

「兩層樓的總高度幾乎達8米高，實在需要一個華麗又不過分張揚的吊燈。我們花了很長時間物色，最終決定採用Barovier & Toso的吊燈。它是一個擁有約700年歷史的家族品牌，其現代的外形設計和呎吋都適合用於走廊中。」Inga說。

家居大部分傢具、燈具和配件都是從歐洲和美國訂購；而睡房和步入式衣櫃的嵌入式衣櫥都是特別訂製的。

建築物中歷史悠久的灰泥牆成為了襯托傢具的背景，配以金色的

Me rid iani陳列櫃、圓形的Impe rf et to真皮扶手椅、Za not ta梳化、Cur rey & Company吊燈和Arte Brotto餐桌，華麗時尚。

Inga和Daria只有十個月的時間完成項目。由於時間緊迫，她們不得不

在裝修工程還在進行期間已經開始設計規劃的工作。

“We were already looking for dining chairs and half-chairs for the dining table at the very early stage of the project”

The building’s historical stucco wall panels were retained as atmospheric backdrops for striking furniture pieces such as a gold Meridiani display case; a round leather Imperfetto Lab armchair; a Zanotta couch; a chandelier by Currey & Company; and a dining table from Arte Brotto. It took Arshba and Shirokova 10 months to complete the apartment – a much shorter time frame than usual. To meet the tight deadline, they had to start work on the design planning while the construction crew were still doing the renovations.

「我們必須迅速作出決策，並清楚傳達指示。猶幸屋主在設計過程中非常投入，亦有幫忙協調，所以很快便完成項目。」Daria說。

Inga補充：「雖然我們要預先進行不少規劃，例如在項目的早期階段已經在為餐枱配襯餐椅。但總括而言，整體過程進行得非常順利。」

“Decisions had to be made quickly and instructions delivered clearly. Thankfully, our clients were very involved in the design process and helped us with the co-ordination so everything could proceed quickly,” Shirokova says.

Adds Arshba: “In general, the work process was very smooth and easy, though we had to do a lot of forward planning. We were already looking for dining chairs and half-chairs for the dining table at the very early stage of the project.”

While the staircase, grand piano, fireplace and the tall gilded bevelled mirror in the dining room evokes the spirit of period Russian manors, contemporary artwork and décor, and furniture with bold shapes and rich colours, imbue the interiors with a distinctly modern feel.

“Though the dimensions and interior architecture are clearly historical, by using contemporary pieces we’ve created a space where old and new exist harmoniously,” Shirokova says.

雖然樓梯、三角琴、壁爐和置於飯廳的鍍金斜面鏡均散發強烈的俄羅斯莊園氣息，但配合了當代藝術品和現代傢具，為空間帶來極富玩味的視覺衝擊。

Daria總結：「雖然單位呎吋和內部建築仍然留有明顯的歷史痕跡，但我們透過時尚的現代作品，成功打造出一個新舊並融的生活空間。」

“We’ve created a space where old and new exist harmoniously”