Houzz Tour: A Band of Yellow Unifies a Russian Apartment
Sunny counters and organic-looking light fixtures support a flowing new layout in a home with a tricky shape
“Moreover, the owner of the apartment is an energetic and emotional person. When we first met, he confessed that he does not like sharp angles and was always getting snagged on everything in the house,” Arapova says. “So we chose smooth lines. They are justified here, though I prefer simpler layouts.”
After. In the new layout, Arapova merged the kitchen and the living room, creating space for a proper entryway and a laundry room.
One of the walls in what used to be the hallway is now decorated with a mural. This was also a deliberate choice. The owner sells cars, and the pattern was designed according to his preferences. This wall is visible from the living room and goes well with the other black details throughout the apartment.
The mirrors conceal the electrical panel, parts of the smart home system and several storage shelves.
The mirrors conceal the electrical panel, parts of the smart home system and several storage shelves.
After the wall came down, it turned out that the windows in the kitchen and the living room are at different heights. That is how the idea of a line connecting the different levels came about. The bar counter, which is made of Corian, turns into the windowsill and acts as the focal point of the interior. “Initially we thought about making it blue like a river, but in the end, we picked yellow. In the [Ural Mountains], we have cold, short summers, so warm accents give the interior a sunnier feeling,” Arapova says.
Bright colors also can be seen on the floor. “The vinyl flooring was laid down like puzzle pieces. It’s a very durable material that is often used in airports and hotels. We chose it because of the low ceilings — wood would have taken away another [2 to 3 inches].”
Vinyl flooring: Bolon
Bright colors also can be seen on the floor. “The vinyl flooring was laid down like puzzle pieces. It’s a very durable material that is often used in airports and hotels. We chose it because of the low ceilings — wood would have taken away another [2 to 3 inches].”
Vinyl flooring: Bolon
Curved lines are echoed in the light fixtures, which look as if they are growing out from the ceiling. The plaster lights are mounted on the ceiling and shaped for an almost seamless effect.
Kapprofile ceiling lights: Flos; Luis sofa: B&B Italia
Kapprofile ceiling lights: Flos; Luis sofa: B&B Italia
The recessed wall light creates meditative evening lighting — that is why it’s next to the hammock.
“This chill-out area was the finishing touch. The hammock can be removed, but the owner is so in love with it that he lies on it constantly,” the designer says.
Teardrop wall light: Flos
Browse hammocks
“This chill-out area was the finishing touch. The hammock can be removed, but the owner is so in love with it that he lies on it constantly,” the designer says.
Teardrop wall light: Flos
Browse hammocks
Every piece of furniture in the living room was chosen based on availability because the owner didn’t want to have to wait months for delivery. The only imported element of the decor are the textured Italian branches adorning the wall between the windows.
Arapova is especially pleased that she was able to find the iconic DU 55 armchair, designed for Poltrona Frau in 1954.
Coffee table by Isamu Noguchi: Vitra
Arapova is especially pleased that she was able to find the iconic DU 55 armchair, designed for Poltrona Frau in 1954.
Coffee table by Isamu Noguchi: Vitra
The kitchen features two colors. The cabinet fronts are made of white frosted glass (they appear opaque in the photo) and seem to vanish in the space. Black columns with appliances are next to the area that used to be a balcony.
Kitchen cabinetry: Leicht
Kitchen cabinetry: Leicht
“We lowered the ceiling slightly to accommodate the built-in lights, but this is justified aesthetically, as the panel highlights the kitchen area,” Arapova says.
The wall of the former balcony is painted with chalkboard paint so the owner can draw on it or record the menu for the week.
The small table with two chairs is perfect for morning coffee.
15 Tiny Tables for Two
The small table with two chairs is perfect for morning coffee.
15 Tiny Tables for Two
There is a bright yellow floor in the otherwise more restrained bedroom. The neon inscription on the headboard livens up the simple walls.
Find novelty lighting
Find novelty lighting
The tall vanity designed by Philippe Starck is now the central element of the bathroom. It’s complemented by tiles that look like wood and stone.
Vanity: Duravit
Vanity: Duravit
The guest bathroom turned into an “adventure library,” Arapova says. Books occupy open shelves in a narrow niche, and the wall tiles imitate cargo crates.
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More home tours: Apartments | Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | All
Apartment at a Glance
Who lives here: A young businessman
Location: Yekaterinburg, Russia
Size: 1,227 square feet (114 square meters)
Designer: Olga Arapova
Designer Olga Arapova was asked to work on an unusual apartment in Yekaterinburg, Russia: The kitchen was triangular, and the long entry hall had no space for a closet. The layout evolved to deal with the difficult geometry. Curvy lines now connect zones and conceal structural features. The resulting design is light on frills — every bend and bright accent was motivated by a design need and carefully conceived.