Moscow Houzz Tour: A Studio Fit for a Rock Star Princess
Bright colours and a touch of comic book whimsy pop in this fun Moscow apartment
Before it was renovated, this apartment in Moscow, Russia, had comic-book-themed wallpaper, which both set the tone and served as a warning for the new interior. The owner wanted the new apartment to be just as lively but less childish. “I like rock and superheroes, and I’m also a bit of a princess,” she had said to the designer when they first met.
Milovzorowa suggested using bright colors in areas where the owner spends little time and softer hues in the bathroom and kitchen.
Furniture and decor pieces serve as colour accents. They can easily be replaced without having to renovate the apartment, should the owner get tired of the constant riot of colour. The hallway walls are turquoise, on the other hand, because the young woman wanted to be immersed in colour from the moment she first steps into the house.
Furniture and decor pieces serve as colour accents. They can easily be replaced without having to renovate the apartment, should the owner get tired of the constant riot of colour. The hallway walls are turquoise, on the other hand, because the young woman wanted to be immersed in colour from the moment she first steps into the house.
The shoe rack and the golden mirror with its lighted frame contrast well with the walls. “We call it the selfie mirror: A social media producer just cannot do without it. It’s very popular with the owner’s friends, and Instagram is already filled with pictures taken in this mirror,” Milovzorowa says.
Shoe rack, console and shelf with coat rail: by Lavval Wood; paint: Little Greene
Shoe rack, console and shelf with coat rail: by Lavval Wood; paint: Little Greene
A hydraulic mechanism under the mattress allows it to be lifted easily by pulling on a fabric loop, revealing storage space for seasonal clothing, shoes and even suitcases.
The owner turns on the lights on the “Rock Star” inscription to create the right atmosphere when she hosts parties. The painting above the bed is by Mikhail Nikatin.
The owner turns on the lights on the “Rock Star” inscription to create the right atmosphere when she hosts parties. The painting above the bed is by Mikhail Nikatin.
There are two closets on either side of the couch. The closet on the left has a clothes rack, and the one on the right has drawers.
The apartment also has a small walk-in closet in the laundry room. “The owner’s parents are conservative: They were afraid that it would have been hard to resell the apartment after a large-scale renovation, so the only [structural change] they agreed to was the creation of a separate storage area,” the designer says.
The apartment also has a small walk-in closet in the laundry room. “The owner’s parents are conservative: They were afraid that it would have been hard to resell the apartment after a large-scale renovation, so the only [structural change] they agreed to was the creation of a separate storage area,” the designer says.
The love seat is from the owner’s old apartment. She liked its functionality and size, but its colour and texture did not fit the new interior. In the end, the couch was reupholstered with yellow fabric to match the colour of the balcony walls.
The client bought the coffee tables herself. They go well with the painting by Elena Fuks, which features an armchair and a console table and was added later.
The client bought the coffee tables herself. They go well with the painting by Elena Fuks, which features an armchair and a console table and was added later.
The balcony walls were painted yellow because the designer wanted to give the interior a sunny feel, especially as its windows are the only source of natural light in the living-bedroom space.
The ceiling lights are located in the main functional areas: above the bed, the desk, the couch and the TV. Like the Rock Star inscription, the central chandelier helps create the right atmosphere and is turned on only during parties.
The ceiling lights are located in the main functional areas: above the bed, the desk, the couch and the TV. Like the Rock Star inscription, the central chandelier helps create the right atmosphere and is turned on only during parties.
Desk and shelving unit by Lavval Wood
Except for the kitchen table and chairs, all the furniture in the apartment was custom-made from the designer’s sketches. The client asked to minimise the amount of open shelves, so they mainly opted for cupboards with plain doors. They left two open bookcases: One is inside the bed structure, between the bed and the closet (marked on the plan with a dotted line), and holds most of the owner’s books; the second is above the desk, where books alternate with decorative figures by Vitra from Design Boom.
Except for the kitchen table and chairs, all the furniture in the apartment was custom-made from the designer’s sketches. The client asked to minimise the amount of open shelves, so they mainly opted for cupboards with plain doors. They left two open bookcases: One is inside the bed structure, between the bed and the closet (marked on the plan with a dotted line), and holds most of the owner’s books; the second is above the desk, where books alternate with decorative figures by Vitra from Design Boom.
Placing the guitar where it would be easily accessible was another of the client’s requests. The solution was simple: The guitar has been worked into the wall decor, while the combo amp now has a place in the TV console.
Clock: Vitra; painting: Elena Fuks, from the Art Brut Moscow gallery
Clock: Vitra; painting: Elena Fuks, from the Art Brut Moscow gallery
The long wooden counter on the balcony is especially handy for parties – it can seat about 10 guests. When it’s not needed, it can be folded down against the wall.
Painting from the Art Brut Moscow gallery; armchair from Kreslo
Painting from the Art Brut Moscow gallery; armchair from Kreslo
While a rock feel dominates the bed- and living room, the owner wanted the kitchen to be fit for a princess. Originally the whole kitchen was supposed to be painted a soft pink, but the lower cabinets ended up being a light-blue colour.
The painting by artist Ksenia Ermakova was brought in by art director Daria Soboleva for the photo shoot, but the owner was so in love with it that she could not let it go, as the image reflects her perfectly.
Soboleva is also the one responsible for the blue bananas and pink pears in the kitchen. “Daria saw the apartment and came up with the idea of painting fruit as part of the decor,” Milovzorowa says. “It is a pity that such decor doesn’t last long – the colours go well with the kitchen doors.”
Soboleva is also the one responsible for the blue bananas and pink pears in the kitchen. “Daria saw the apartment and came up with the idea of painting fruit as part of the decor,” Milovzorowa says. “It is a pity that such decor doesn’t last long – the colours go well with the kitchen doors.”
The same colours are repeated throughout the apartment. The tiles in the bathroom are exactly the same colour as the shoe rack in the hallway, and the sink cabinet echoes the entryway walls.
“When they were putting in the red tiles, the builders thought that we were insane. In fact, the cabinet and tiles in the bathroom act like colour accents: One of the four walls and the floor are a shade of white, softening the whole look,” the designer says.
Ceramic cactus: Design Boom
“When they were putting in the red tiles, the builders thought that we were insane. In fact, the cabinet and tiles in the bathroom act like colour accents: One of the four walls and the floor are a shade of white, softening the whole look,” the designer says.
Ceramic cactus: Design Boom
Apartment layout
Photo shoot art director: Daria Soboleva
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Photo shoot art director: Daria Soboleva
TELL US
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Moscow, Russia
Size: 366 square feet (34 square metres)
Who lives here: A young social media producer for a large company
Designers: Natalia Milovzorowa and Olga Tsarevskaya from Salmon Lair
The designers mostly avoided light wood in this project, because the owner doesn’t like it. However, the dark flooring fits well with the bright interior. The floors in the hallway, the bathroom and kitchen feature the same flooring to avoid dividing the already small space.