Bright classic apartment in the historical center of Moscow

Interior designers Maya Guzovskaya and Yana Bykova were approached by a young family eager to gift a fully renovated apartment to their parents. "We had only basic information about the future occupants; no specific desires were communicated. However, we quickly realized that trendy designs would be inappropriate here. Instead, the focus was on traditional solutions that ensure a comfortable living environment for a couple," the designers explained. Spanning 75 square meters, the apartment is situated in a Stalinist Empire-style building in the historic center of Moscow.
The primary aim of the project was to breathe new life into this old apartment, which had seen multiple owners. Emulating the approach of many developers and homeowners in historic European cities, Maya and Yana sought to preserve the original classic foundation—like the layout and moldings—while modernizing the interiors with contemporary finishing materials, furniture, and lighting.
The apartment retained its grand high ceilings and enfilade layout from its construction in 1940, which naturally imposed certain limitations on furniture placement. Unable to alter the layout, the designers merely restored the original volume of the bedroom, which had been divided into two smaller zones with a dedicated dressing area by previous owners.
Thanks to a generous budget allowing for the use of high-quality natural materials, the apartment transformed into a respectable, aesthetic, and modern living space.
To avoid repeating the designers' names, it could be rephrased as: "A particular source of pride was the fireplace surround, which became the living room's focal point. The idea of a fireplace was immediate once the clients approved the French pied-à-terre concept proposed by the designers. Crafted from natural marble with a striking texture, it became a central element in setting the mood for a "Parisian" living room.
The bedroom exudes coziness, achieved through a tasteful combination of natural materials. The walls are adorned with exquisite linen-textured wallpapers from French manufacturer Pierre Frey, while the bedside tables feature an exotic veneer, and the wardrobe fronts are embellished with silk. The bathroom draws particular attention with its Italian Calacatta Viola marble, specially ordered for the project, paired with stylish vertical tiles from 41zero42, creating a striking effect.
Early in the design process, it was clear that lighter shades were preferable due to some issues with natural light. The relatively large rooms had small windows all on one side of the apartment. Additionally, the dark shade of the preserved and restored parquet flooring was taken into account.
"In selecting furniture, we offered the clients a sensible combination of pieces from the finest European factories and custom-made items by reliable Moscow partners. For example, the entrance hall features a wardrobe from Poliform, living room chairs from &Tradition, a marble table from Ferm Living, a pouf and a coffee table from Minotti, and lighting from Visual Comfort," Maya noted. All doors, wall panels, and the kitchen in the apartment, along with a large bedroom wardrobe with silk-clad facades, bedside tables made from Macassar veneer, a living room sofa, and a striking bed, were custom-made by a domestic furniture manufacturer according to the designers' sketches.
Art seamlessly complemented the space. The living room is adorned with a delicate painting titled "Three Sisters" by Boris Kocheyshvili, from Tamara Vekhova's collection, which perfectly matches the gentle palette and mood of the entire apartment.

Interior designers Maya Guzovskaya and Yana Bykova
Instagram @mayaguzovskaya
@yanabykovainteriors

Photo credit Mikhail Loskutov
Instagram @loskutoff

Style by Yes We May
@yes_we_may