This Minimal & Modern 538-Square-Foot Ukraine Studio Apartment Feels Much Larger

This Minimal & Modern 538-Square-Foot Ukraine Studio Apartment Feels Much Larger

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Name: Mariia, Bogdan, along with Joser the cat, and Cooper the dog
Design professional names: Dubrovska Studio / Natalie Dubrovska
Location:
Kyiv, Ukraine
Size: 538 square feet
Type of Home: Studio Apartment
Years Lived In: 2 years, owned

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Bogdan, who works for a consultancy and audit company, and his wife Mariia, a former ballerina who now coaches barre and stretching, own this small Kyiv apartment located in a house built in 1966. Bogdan says it’s a “classic ‘stalinka’ — a colloquial name for apartment buildings constructed in the USSR from the late 1930s to the mid-’60s.” Previously owned by Bodgan’s family (he even lived here during school), the space was very different looking, and has an interesting past. “I know that long before this apartment was owned by a musician couple, who used to invite their friends, play piano, and have a lot of fun,” wrote Bogdan. “I believe this atmosphere stayed in the walls and is still very positive and welcoming.”

Bogdan and Mariia worked with designer Natalie Dubrovsk, owner of Dubrovska Studio, to turn this small apartment into a minimal and calm home, which was the original plan, anyway. “But after dismantling, we unexpectedly found a stucco decoration above the plasterboard ceiling, as well as a beautiful red brick on the walls,” explains Natalie. “Without much consideration, we decided to change the whole project towards a more natural and raw-looking space. We decided not just to fill the space but to show all the heritage of the last century. The main goal was to evoke senses of calmness and harmony by creating a warm, textured, intimate space with dim, cozy lighting, and the scent of cedarwood.”

The kitchen cabinet’s facade was made of un-lacquered copper that will age naturally, adding even more texture to the space after time. The bathroom was divided from the rest of the studio apartment by glass partitions that add separation but not heaviness. Beautiful wooden furniture like the Fritz Hansen table and Fredericia chairs complement the stunning herringbone floors. The piano was purchased by Bogdan and Mariia from a vintage market in Berlin, and it adds tons of personality while complementing the modern shelving, both contrasting with the brick wall. And artwork by Ukrainian artists was “meticulously selected for the space to make the look complete.”

Though Mariia and Bogdan were living in Berlin for awhile after the war started, they are back in Kyiv, even working on a new project with Natalie, who is based in London and continues to run her practice no matter what. Photographer Yevhenii Avramenko is in Kyiv, still doing interior photography in Kyiv and western Ukraine. And Nadia, the fantastic PR person I’ve worked with on this Ukrainian house tour (as well as the previous one) is also in Kyiv, learning how to work effectively in between the electricity going in and out. Nadia has said that folks looking for ways to continue to support Ukrainians can consider the volunteering foundation Eyes on Ukraine. “They collect money internationally, buy all the necessities in the Netherlands, and supply for their partners in Ukraine. They are really helpful and 100% trustworthy,” she explains.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

Homeowners Mariia and Bogdan’s Style: We like to keep things simple but also focus on high quality and details.

Homeowners Mariia and Bogdan’s Inspiration: Apartments seen in Germany, France, and Scandinavian countries. Particular inspiration also by the Birds Nest, home of a Swiss film director living now in Kyiv as well.

Designer Natalie Dubrovskas Inspiration: Aiming to bring mindfulness to interior design, we always focus on the personal needs of our client. But not only. We also think about what we can do for a space itself. This project, Cedarwood, is a bright example. Initially, the interior was planned to be minimalistic and calm. The owner had been already living in this apartment and his personal request was “to bring a sense of freedom and fresh air.”

After dismantling a plasterboard ceiling and walls we unexpectedly found around 20cm of extra space, as well as stucco decoration and a beautiful red brick. Our client was excited about the discovery, and so were we, so we decided to follow the principles of essentialism: clean up, restore, and save. The result is quite inspiring, as you can see it now. Having common values with our client helped us not only meet his needs but also save the architectural heritage of ’60s (Stalinka) from the merciless design of 2000s. Couldn’t wish for more!

Homeowners Mariia and Bogdan’s Favorite Element: Actually the whole place is our favourite. Everything is selected with care. We enjoy our dining table a lot. There’s always enough room for everything cooked or delivered. Our library has favourite books and always something to discover.

The piano has a separate story and of course we love it as well. We started lessons to get better but certainly we need much more practice. But in the end it’s all the small details that make this apartment one whole. And we love how those details match with each other.

Designer Natalie Dubrovska’s Favorite Element: Kitchen and dining area with dim light and lots of different natural materials in furniture. I aimed to plant the feeling of grounding in this small space, and to fill it with scents of burning candles, good wine, and cedarwood. For me, all these nice things whisper about inner peace and fulfillment when the world is going crazy on the outside.

Designer Natalie Dubrovskas Biggest Challenge: We worked on the layout for a very long time. The main goal was to create the most compact option for placing all the necessary household items. I wanted to not clutter up the common area, but to make it as spacious as possible. We thought for a long time how to harmoniously fit the storage amenities, how to get the most impact on the space without creating complex structures.

Homeowners Mariia and Bogdan’s Proudest DIY: My proudest design ideas are the rounded wall corners and the availability of a projector and a screen that can be rolled out just in front of the library.

Homeowners Mariia and Bogdan’s Biggest Indulgence: I think it was the combination of our dining table and the chairs. I had to think about it three times.

Is there something unique about your home or the way you use it? Mariia and Bogdan – It’s unique to be able to take a hot bath and exchange thoughts and ideas with your wife, who is just next to you in the bedroom. In summer we also like to get the chairs out to the open balcony and enjoy the afternoon sun. The apartment is even better when the sunset color fills the room. During this time we enjoy making tea (or choosing wine).

What’s your absolute best home secret or decorating advice? Designer Natalie Dubrovska – In order to create an ideal space, you don’t need just to fill it with objects, but show its features. Never forget about the context you have: location, construction elements, architecture, window view — every detail is important and can inspire for something special.

We always recommend to check out the flea markets in your city: you can find real treasures there. Uniting the new and the old under one roof always gives a fulfilling outcome.

Thanks Mariia, Bogdan, and Natalie!

A 135-Year-Old Loft Shows the Power of a Little Paint & Furniture Rearranging

A 135-Year-Old Loft Shows the Power of a Little Paint & Furniture Rearranging

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Name: Taylor (myself), my three cats, Talulah, Remi, Phoebe, and German Shepherd puppy Gwen
Location: Pioneer Square — Seattle, Washington
Size: 2500 square feet
Type of Home: Loft
Years lived in: Over 3 years, renting

Taylor, an interior designer and the owner of the plant shop, FRINGE, says this 135-year-old loft is everything she’s always dreamed of. “I remember watching movies when I was younger about creatives living in cool old New York-style lofts, and I couldn’t wait to find mine one day. I knew it was not going to be easy, and I wasn’t going to find it on Craigslist, and that was the charm of finding a diamond in the rough,” she explains. “I would walk past this old three-story gray building on the way to my job in the neighborhood I lived in 10 years ago when I moved to Seattle and always wondered what was going on inside the building. It always seemed kind of abandoned but years later there was a cool vintage furniture shop on the ground floor and that was my first time in the building. It was very historic, very raw, and I saw how much potential it had.”

This isn’t the first time that Apartment Therapy has shared a look into her stylish brick space; her first loft tour was three years ago, but today it’s a different space than it was then. “I have redone the entire kitchen, both bathrooms, and the overall design of the space including paint, lighting, fixtures, etc.,” Taylor explains. She’s updated some of the furniture — an orange couch has been swapped out for a more subdued gray one, for instance — and different living areas have been swapped (like the living room and dining areas), and a little bit of paint color has easily transformed the small bathroom. The space, which is sometimes used for photoshoot rentals, is proof that even small updates can make for a big transformation.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: Mid-Century Modern Minimalist, Historic Industrial 

Inspiration: The 1960s + 1970s

Favorite Element: That’s a tough question… I love everything about my home. I have spent the last three years restoring it and making it a beautiful place. I have redone the entire kitchen, both bathrooms, and the overall design of the space including paint, lighting, fixtures, etc. The entire place is my favorite!

Biggest Challenge: My biggest challenge with the space was a small budget. I have done everything on my own and with some help here and there. I’ve spent so many late nights in this old space jamming out to music, drinking wine, and painting or ripping up flooring and giving the space an overall new look. If I had an unlimited budget with this space I could REALLY do some damage!

Proudest DIY: My proudest DIY was the bathroom. I ripped out the previous flooring and installed penny tile and it was my first time grouting or tiling a bathroom. It was not easy, but very fun. 

Biggest Indulgence: All of the paint. I’ve painted, changed, and changed again the paint colors in the space over and over. I run a photo studio out of it as well, so I love to keep it fresh and new looking for clients to want to return over and over and not be bored.

Is there something unique about your home or the way you use it? I use the space as a photo studio and a way to inspire creatives and photographers around the area. It’s called That Brick Loft and it’s become a moody sanctuary for creatives, artists, and influencers all around the PNW.

What are your favorite products you have bought for your home and why? My furniture! It’s all either vintage or something I just couldn’t live without. Some pieces are new and were purchased locally, which I love as well. 

Finally, what’s your absolute best home secret or decorating advice? Purchasing items that you feel you love, or bring a sentimental value to your space. We all only have so much room in our homes, and you want each piece to be unique whether it may be an object, a plant, a piece of furniture, or art. Keep it fresh, not too cluttered, but make it you.

This house tour’s responses were edited for length and clarity.

Adrienne Breaux

House Tour Editor

Adrienne loves architecture, design, cats, science fiction and watching Star Trek. In the past 10 years she’s called home: a van, a former downtown store in small town Texas and a studio apartment rumored to have once been owned by Willie Nelson.

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A 575-Square-Foot Mexico City Loft Has the Dreamiest Floor-to-Ceiling Glass Wall

A 575-Square-Foot Mexico City Loft Has the Dreamiest Floor-to-Ceiling Glass Wall

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Name: Marc Bowers and a pup
Location: Roma Norte — Mexico City, Mexico
Type of home: Apartment
Size: 575 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, renting

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: I live in a penthouse loft in La Romita, a small neighborhood on the edge of Roma Norte. Built in 2019, the architects merged classic Mexico City design themes like floor-to-ceiling glass walls with a modern industrial interior. The furniture has been slowly collected over the past two years, largely from vintage dealers in places like La Lagunilla and from local makers. The plants have been sourced from Xochimilco Plant Market, the largest plant market in Latin America!

I also have a tiny art collection made up of Latin American artists, including originals from José Luis Cuevas, Carlos Mérida, and Francisco Toledo. Mexico City has a thriving design community — from textiles and ceramics to woodwork and stone carvings (and everything in between) — making it an inspiring and limitless place to design your home. I’ve been interested in interior design for going on half-a-decade, but it was only upon my move to Mexico City in 2019 from Washington DC that I began to take a deeper interest in my space.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Modern + Industrial + Mid-Century + Green

What is your favorite room and why? My favorite part of the loft is the indoor-outdoor living space. Mexico City has good weather year round, so I can fully retract the the balcony doors on most days. Plus, it allows my dog to be outside whenever he wants.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The most recent piece I bought was a custom-made charcoal-colored terrazzo table from a local Mexico City design shop called Azzo Studio. To complement the table, I bought a four-piece set of Cesca chairs from a vintage furniture shop in Roma Norte.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Take your time; there’s no fire. If you’re buying vintage and live in Mexico City, ask for the phone numbers of the dealers. They’re usually happy to send you their latest pieces upon request.