Elena Rybalkina Designs a Vibrant Siberian Residence Complete With Art Studios

OBRIY.architects has completed the 'PORTAL' apartment in the center of Kiev, Ukraine, an ample residence designed to maximize natural light and offer stunning city views. The design approach emphasizes a harmonious blend of natural materials and a warm-toned color palette, creating an organic and earthy atmosphere throughout the 1130 sq ft (105 m2) space. A key design element is the intentional emphasis on the apartment's windows. To highlight these openings, OBRIY created a gallery feature with timber-covered shelves and walls, strategically positioned between the windows. This gallery serves as a visual connector, linking the kitchen and dining areas with the lounge zone. Further enhancing the clean lines of this gallery, heating elements beneath the windows are concealed within custom-built wooden boxes, which also integrate additional storage drawers. The material selection extends to the flooring and walls, where a warm grey concrete floor complements decorative plaster applied to effect walls. The remaining walls are painted in an off-white hue, contributing to the overall organic and earthy color scheme that pervades the apartment. The kitchen, a creation by Steininger, presents a monolithic aesthetic with precise lines. A distinctive feature of this kitchen is a stainless steel element incorporating a herb garden. The designers opted for a white finish for the kitchen island, introducing a pure accent that seamlessly integrates with the apartment's broader color palette. The dining area is furnished with a large table crafted from bleached American ash, accompanied by minimalist chairs that echo the table's clean lines. Lighting fixtures in this area are sourced from Australian designer Amee Allsop. In the lounge zone, a modular sofa by Paola Lenti offers versatility, with independent units allowing for various layout configurations. The television stand is uniquely fashioned from substantial wooden beams with natural edges, while the wall behind the television is treated with natural plaster to create a textured, organic backdrop. This plaster effect is consistently applied in the bedroom, fostering a cozy and relaxing ambiance. The bedroom also incorporates the same design principle of boxing heating elements and integrating drawers for a cohesive look. The master bathroom, adjacent to the bedroom, features walls adorned with tiles from Sant’Agostino Ceramics' ‘set’ collection. The flooring utilizes the same microcement found in the kitchen and living room. Washbasins by Ceramica Galassia, with their cylindrical shape and thin edges, offer a blend of geometrical precision and elegance. All ceramic fixtures in the bathroom are rendered in black, serving to emphasize their forms against the neutral backdrop. The project was conceived and executed by OBRIY.architects, reflecting a thoughtful integration of natural aesthetics and functional design. #apartmentDesign #naturalMaterials #warmTones #KievArchitecture #interiorDesign #modernLiving #timberElements #concreteFlooring #minimalistDecor

This article highlights a unique property, described as a pristine "Byrd house," located in a prime Studio City location. The residence, reminiscent of Robert Byrd's architectural style from the 1920s to the 1950s, offers an enchanting cottage aesthetic, ideal for an artist. The approach to the home features a charming stone pathway, leading to a facade adorned with window planters, lush vegetation, shutters, and original lead windows, contributing to its historical appeal. Upon entering, the living space is characterized by a stunning fireplace and a window seat equipped with storage and original built-ins, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The dining room, which allows direct access to the kitchen, is designed for ease of entertaining. The home includes two bedrooms, both featuring ample closet space and charming decorative touches. An additional finished attic provides significant extra storage capacity. Further into the home, the den showcases architectural details such as wood beams, original paneled detailing, and a brick wood-burning fireplace, adding to the rustic charm. Descending from the den, a marvelous sunroom awaits, enveloped by large windows and opening skylights that fill the space with natural light. Outdoors, the property boasts an oversized pool, mature landscaping, and private seating areas, leading to a dedicated artist's sanctuary. This sanctuary is a two-story studio/office space featuring a vaulted ceiling and skylights. It offers gorgeous views of the property and ample room for creative pursuits or expansion. The article emphasizes the property's unique characteristics, making it a one-of-a-kind offering. The post was contributed by Alan Taylor, an Estate Agent. #HomeDesign #StudioCity #RealEstate #ArchitecturalStyle #ArtistRetreat #VintageHome #PropertyDescription #UniqueHomes

This blog post explores the Los Angeles home of artist Hannah Polskin, renowned for her distinctive wave-like patterns. Polskin’s residence serves as a vibrant canvas, where her signature aesthetic permeates almost every surface, including an unexpected focal point: the kitchen island. The article delves into how Polskin integrates her artistic vision into her living space, transforming functional elements into unique pieces of art. The kitchen island, a central feature of the home, is detailed as a prime example of this artistic immersion. Instead of a traditional, utilitarian surface, it is adorned with her characteristic wave patterns, making it a sculptural and visually dynamic centerpiece. The home tour highlights the seamless blend of art and interior design, illustrating how Polskin's artistic practice extends beyond her studio to define her personal environment. The wave motif, a recurring element in her professional work, is shown to be a foundational design principle within her home, creating a cohesive and immersive artistic experience. The article emphasizes the personal and unconventional approach Polskin takes to interior decoration, moving beyond mere ornamentation to an integrated artistic statement. This extends to various aspects of the home, showcasing how furniture, walls, and even unexpected surfaces become integral parts of her artistic narrative. Further insights are provided into how this unique design philosophy impacts the overall atmosphere of the home. The consistent application of her wave patterns creates a fluid and rhythmic environment, reflecting the artist's personal style and creative spirit. The article details specific instances where her art enhances functionality and aesthetic appeal, offering readers a glimpse into a home that is both a living space and a dynamic art installation. The integration of her art into daily living spaces demonstrates a departure from conventional interior design, offering a bold and personal expression of creativity. The narrative also touches upon the practical considerations of living within such an art-infused environment, showcasing how Polskin balances artistic expression with everyday living. Her home is presented as a testament to the idea that personal spaces can be profound extensions of one's creative identity. The article encourages readers to consider how they might infuse their own homes with personal artistic touches, drawing inspiration from Polskin’s daring and cohesive design. It acts as an inspirational piece for those looking to personalize their spaces with unique artistic elements, rather than adhering to conventional design trends. Ultimately, the piece illustrates how an artist’s home can be a true reflection of their craft, providing a unique and personalized aesthetic experience. Hannah Polskin’s Los Angeles residence stands out as an example of how art can be lived in, transforming a house into a deeply personal and continuously evolving work of art. The home exemplifies a holistic approach to design where the artist's signature style is not just displayed but woven into the very fabric of the living environment. #HomeTour #ArtistHome #InteriorDesign #ArtisticExpression #KitchenDesign #WavePatterns #HannahPolskin #LosAngelesHomes #UniqueInteriors

The Designer Show House, a biennial event sponsored by the Village Improvement Association in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, showcases diverse interior and exterior design inspirations across its 6,000 square feet of space and nearly an acre of outdoor areas. This event serves as a platform for regional designers to present their expertise and offers visitors a wealth of ideas for their own homes. One featured space is a sunken living room, designed by Kate FitzGerald-Wilks of Timeless Design in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. This room embodies a West Indies aesthetic, characterized by bold lines, soft sandy hues, and rich textures. Key elements include vintage stick bamboo chairs painted black, adorned with Kuba cloth and Ralph Lauren zebra-stripe pillows on a slipcovered camel-backed sofa. A mid-century hutch is repurposed as a cocktail bar, complemented by sculptural metal and glass console tables flanking the fireplace. Wood mirrors with faux tortoise shell lean against textured wallpaper, while modern sculptures and art blend with antique books and global treasures. FitzGerald-Wilks also designed the dining room, aiming for a dramatic effect with a backdrop of 200 wine bottles and a striking Dolcetti chandelier crafted from shells and crystals, evoking sea glass. An 8-foot-long reclaimed wine rack sits atop a buffet. The room's color palette consists of soft creams and tans, punctuated by emerald green accents in the chandelier and wine bottles. Windows are framed with woven ikat print panels. An airy sunroom, conceived by Alfred Wolf Home (a new venture from Design Center of Rehoboth or DCOR), was designed to create a light-filled, contemporary transition between the house and garden. This involved removing existing French doors and window grills, painting the room in various shades of white and French gray-green, and incorporating textural elements of white canvas, iron, and marble. The family room, also by DCOR, maintained the warmth of its original paneling and fireplace stone, setting the foundation for a soft khaki and cream palette. The room is furnished with herringbone, tweed, and leather fabrics, offset by tortoise shell wood finishes and local tidal scene artwork. Mary Stewart of M. Stewart Interiors in Bear designed the upstairs hobby room, named "Just Us," intended as a shared family space for various pastimes like painting, photography, reading, chess, and Lego building. The room features updated cherished family heirlooms and is painted simply white to highlight paintings by Nadia Zychal. Nile Johnson of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, designed the second-floor paneled library, drawing inspiration from Rehoboth's laid-back yet cosmopolitan atmosphere. This space offers an updated interpretation of a classic library, decorated in layers of sandy tans. Cyndi and Ron Oronzio and Cathie Sheetz of Dreamweaver Interiors of Rehoboth Beach decorated a bedroom and bath, inspired by vibrantly patterned fabrics. They utilized Robert Allen fabrics as wallpaper for an accent wall, building the room's design around this print. The team selected fabrics for their depth, crisp patterns, contrasting textures, and detailed embroidery, incorporating a bright coral pink accent color and rhinestone embellishments for a feminine touch. Brenda Carder of blcINTERIORS of Rehoboth Beach designed a small guest bedroom, combining natural cotton and linen fabrics with metal and reclaimed wood. Crown moldings add formality. To compensate for limited sunlight, the room was kept light and bright, with a deep navy blue accent wall and touches of bright yellow for warmth. The second floor features art by Libby Zando of Zando Designs and Art Affects in Milton, alongside works by award-winning regional artists. Boardwalk Builders of Rehoboth transformed a hallway into a gallery space by adding wainscot paneling, creating an updated cottage aesthetic that visually broadened the hallway. Mark A. Polo of The Urban Dweller in Boonton, New Jersey, designed the master suite, aiming for comfort with soft textural colors ranging from taupe to blue. The furniture is upholstered to enhance the room's softness, featuring taupe draperies of embroidered sheer linen and silk edged in leather and freshwater pearls. Blonde floors are softened by a long-fiber rug. Outdoors, Erin Walls and Justin Bartels of Bella Terra Landscaping in Lincoln repurposed existing flagstone patios and walkways, adding new stones to create a Celtic-inspired design. The layout divides the space into a grand area for social gatherings and secluded nooks for quiet retreats. Creative Concepts Furniture of Lewes and Ocean View furnished the patios as outdoor rooms with bright coastal colors, including a sectional, loveseat, dining area for six, and lounge chairs, inviting visitors to envision themselves in the setting. #DesignerShowHouse #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #RehobothBeach #DelawareDesign #LuxuryInteriors #OutdoorLiving #DesignInspiration