Apartment Design: A Reflection of Your Style

Introduction: A Design That Tells a Story

In the world of interior design, residential spaces are more than just functional areas they reflect the personalities and values of their inhabitants. This is precisely what Russian designer Yulia Babintseva from Yuhome Design Studio achieved in an 812 sq ft (75 sq m) apartment overlooking the green landscapes of Petrovsky Island in Moscow.

Yulia designed the apartment for a couple seeking a peaceful retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle, infused with the elegance of a five-star hotel. The result? A space that narrates a story through details, where sophistication, emotional symbolism, and natural materials intertwine to create an immersive experience.

A Tour of the Apartment: How Vision Became Reality

1. The Entryway: A First Glimpse of Tranquility

The entryway sets the tone for the entire apartment. Here, Yulia struck a perfect balance between:

Contrasts: A dark wooden console against soft white walls.
Lighting: A round mirror with a slim gold frame reflects light and visually expands the space.
Rhythm: The console’s subtle design adds visual movement without overwhelming the area.

“An entryway isn’t just a place to take off your shoes it’s a promise of what awaits inside.” Yulia Babintseva.

This entryway feels calm and confident, with just the right mix of texture and polish. The dark console adds depth and contrast against soft white walls, while its fluted design gives a quiet rhythm to the space. A round mirror in a thin gold frame reflects light and subtly opens up the space.

2. The Living Room: Where Walls Speak

The living room becomes an emotional canvas, featuring:

A Statement Mural: A stork (symbolizing family and happiness in European cultures) meticulously painted as a focal point.
Narrative Furniture:
A Audo Copenhagen coffee table with a carved base resembling reeds, nodding to the bird’s natural habitat.
A Filis Danish sofa paired with a handwoven rug for warmth.
Lighting: Danish lamps cast a soft, sunlit glow.

Why the Stork?

In European folklore, storks symbolize fertility and good fortune, making the mural more than decor it’s a daily reminder of what matters most to the residents.

In the living room, a bold stork mural sets the tone, a symbol of happiness and family. A sculpted wood coffee table echoes the bird’s natural habitat, while soft light, a Felis sofa, and Danish accents complete the calm, layered look.

3. The Dining Area: Simplicity with Depth

Designed for shared meals and slow conversations, the dining space includes:

A Round Wooden Table: Encouraging equality and connection.
Miniforms Chairs: Sculpted for comfort without compromising elegance.
Lighting: Pale pendant lights with marble accents for an artistic touch.
Custom Cabinetry: Carved doors showcasing artisanal craftsmanship.

“Natural materials like wood and marble breathe life into a space, even in the smallest details.”

Soft neutrals and layered textures create a serene dining nook. A round wood table adds warmth, while curved chairs invite lingering. Pale pendants with marble accents bring a touch of whimsy, and subtly patterned cabinet doors add texture to the space.

4. The Kitchen: Where Beauty Meets Function

Sliding glass doors separate the kitchen from the dining area, offering flexibility. Highlights include:

Natural Marble: Countertops and a kitchen island exuding luxury.
Custom Cabinetry: Tailored to fit seamlessly, with hidden ASKO appliances.
Strategic Mirrors: Amplifying light and the illusion of space.

Design Tip:

Herringbone wood flooring adds movement and visually elongates compact spaces.

A sculptural, custom-designed kitchen blends function and elegance with seamless cabinetry, natural marble, and sleek Asko appliances. A mirror subtly enhances the light, while a matching island with minimalist stools creates a casual gathering spot. A sliding glass partition offers flexible separation from the dining area.

5. The Bedroom: A Sanctuary

Transformed into a haven of calm with:

Custom Wall Art: An abstract cloud painting for relaxation.
Danish Lighting: Soft-glowing bedside lamps.
Handcrafted Furniture: Unique pieces adding character.

In this bedroom, tranquility takes center stage. A custom wall panel that acts as a headboard and a dry-brush fresco of drifting clouds create a dreamy, atmospheric backdrop. Every detail, down to the soft glow of Danish lighting and handcrafted furniture, feels curated for peace.

6. The Master Bathroom: A Functional Art Piece

The most poetic space in the apartment features:

A Freestanding Treesse Bathtub: Framed by a dried floral installation evoking riverbanks.
Hand-Painted Tiles: Meticulously customized to match the vision.
Arched Gold-Framed Glass Doors: Elevating the luxury quotient.

A pair of arched glass doors framed in brushed gold instantly elevate this ensuite bathroom, turning a simple transition into a quiet statement. Soft, sandy walls and pale wood flooring create a seamless flow from bedroom to bath, while the terracotta vanity brings just a touch of grounded color.

7. The Guest Bathroom: A Hint of Green

Designed with:

Vertical Green Tiles: Creating a sense of height.
Matching Shower Flooring: For visual cohesion.

The guest bathroom features elegant vertical green tiles and a matching shower floor that add a calming splash of color, perfectly complementing the soft powder tones and clean-lined fixtures.

Conclusion: More Than an Apartment A Lived Experience

Completed in just one year, this project embodies the soul of a luxury hotel while embedding personal symbolism. For Yulia, the biggest challenge was balancing aesthetics and functionality without compromise.

“Good design isn’t about following rules—it’s about creating spaces that tell the residents’ story.”

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