A Contemporary Country Villa Inspired by the Five Elements

Set across two expansive storeys and designed by Ekaterina Yakovenko, this 1,640-square-metre country villa — aptly titled The Fifth Element — is a study in balance. Designed for a young, ambitious couple with a child, the home reflects a lifestyle shaped by travel, wellness and a desire for calm. From the outset, the brief was clear: “a light-filled space using soft tones to create an atmosphere of calm and harmony.”

The result is a residence that feels both grounded and elevated, where contemporary design meets natural beauty, and where every detail has been considered in service of a more serene way of living.

A Home Designed for Living — and Hosting

The home’s layout is carefully structured to support both everyday life and entertaining at scale. On the ground floor, the entrance hall leads into a series of thoughtfully arranged spaces, including a guest bedroom, home office and guest bathroom.

At its heart lies a generous 190-square-metre open-plan living area that brings together the lounge, dining space and formal kitchen. This central hub is complemented by a separate professional kitchen designed specifically for visiting chefs — a detail that speaks to the owners’ love of hosting.

From here, the home extends seamlessly outdoors onto a 150-square-metre terrace complete with a barbecue area, lounge seating and access to the garden. Wellness is also woven into the architecture, with a swimming pool, sauna and hammam forming part of the ground floor, alongside a laundry room and staff apartment.

Upstairs, the private quarters include five bedrooms: two children’s rooms, two master suites and an additional guest bedroom, allowing the home to accommodate both family life and visiting friends with ease.

Designing with the Five Elements

At the core of the interior concept is the philosophy of the five elements — earth, water, fire, air and ether — brought together to form a cohesive whole. This guiding idea informs not only the material palette, but the overall atmosphere of the home.

Earth is expressed through wood and stone, grounding the interior in natural texture. Water appears in soft blue undertones and fluid, organic lines. Fire is introduced through warm lighting accents, while air is felt in the openness of the layout and the abundance of natural light. Ether — the most intangible element — is reflected in the home’s sense of harmony and refined calm.

The effect is subtle rather than literal. It is a quiet interplay of textures, tones and light that creates an environment that feels composed, rather than overly styled.

A Palette of Softness and Light

The colour palette leans into restraint, with shades of white, beige, light brown and bronze forming the foundation. These soft, pastel tones allow the architecture and natural light to take centre stage, while also reinforcing the home’s calming atmosphere.

Natural light was a key priority from the beginning. Large panoramic windows dissolve the boundary between inside and out, drawing the surrounding landscape into the interior and filling the home with air and brightness throughout the day. In the evenings, this is balanced by soft, diffused lighting that enhances the sense of warmth and ease.

Materials That Speak Quietly

Materiality plays a central role in shaping the character of the home. Marble floors anchor the living spaces, while the fireplace — clad in natural stone — becomes a symbolic and visual point of gathering.

In the kitchen, a metallic bronze finish introduces depth and contrast, offset by cream-toned furnishings with warm undertones in the main living area. Burnished brass accents in a titanium finish add a layer of understated elegance, while travertine surfaces and oak detailing bring warmth into more intimate spaces such as the entrance and master bedroom.

The use of natural materials throughout ensures a sense of continuity, allowing the home to feel cohesive and timeless.

Contemporary Furniture with Purpose

In a home of this scale, functionality is as important as aesthetics. Every element has been selected with purpose, ensuring that the space remains both beautiful and highly livable.

The kitchen, designed by Key Cucina, is custom-made with integrated storage and the latest appliances, balancing sleek minimalism with everyday practicality. In the living room, furniture by Henge defines the seating area, while a round chaise lounge by Poltrona Frau in natural leather offers a sculptural focal point opposite the fireplace.

The entrance hall features a dresser by Emmemobili, paired with the Edamame bench from B&B Italia and a Murano glass light fixture by Henge — a composition that sets the tone for the rest of the home.

Elsewhere, bespoke details add depth and individuality. A decorative plaster panel in the guest bedroom was created from the designer’s sketches, while the study features oak-veneered wall panels with soft, semicircular forms.

A Living, Breathing Interior

More than anything, The Fifth Element is a home designed to be experienced. It is a space where architecture, interiors and lifestyle align — where functionality merges seamlessly with beauty, and where innovation supports comfort rather than overshadowing it.

As the designer reflects, the intention was clear: “to create a living, breathing space where functionality merges with aesthetics and innovation coexists naturally with comfort.”

Credits

Interior designer Ekaterina Yakovenko, founder of the JP Interiors design studio, Instagram: @caterina_yakovenko

Photo credit Sergey Krasyuk, Instagram: @skrasyuk

Style by Natalia Onufreichuk, Instagram: @onufreichuk_before_after