Inside a Serene Family Apartment in Astana Designed Around Quiet Luxury

Designed for a family of five, this elegant Astana apartment proves that the most luxurious interiors are often the quietest, where curved forms, natural materials and thoughtful architecture shape everyday life.

By Catherine Mo | June 24, 2026 | Category interiors/house-tours

Located within the Garden View residential complex in Astana, Kazakhstan, this 188-square-metre apartment by Aidesign Studio embraces an architecture of restraint, creating a home where wellbeing, family life and understated luxury take centre stage.

Custom joinery, integrated shelving and a sculptural fireplace establish a sense of architectural order, while layered textures and a muted palette bring warmth and softness to the contemporary living space.

Designed for a family with three children, the project explores how thoughtful architecture can support daily routines without overwhelming them. Rather than relying on decorative statements, the designers focused on proportion, materiality and carefully choreographed spatial relationships to create an environment that feels both elegant and deeply personal.

A modular sofa anchors the living room, positioned to maximise natural light and views across Astana. Black-framed glazed partitions maintain visual connectivity between spaces while preserving a sense of intimacy.

A palette inspired by calm and comfort

The interior is grounded in a muted palette of ivory, beige, smoky brown and soft olive tones. Natural materials, tactile finishes and layered lighting contribute to an atmosphere that feels warm and restorative throughout the day.

Contemporary minimalism provides the foundation, while softer modern influences introduce warmth and approachability. Curved forms, arched openings and finely detailed glass partitions appear throughout the apartment, creating a sense of flow while softening the geometry of the architecture. Every element feels considered, allowing the materials themselves to become the defining decorative language.

The arched glazed partition between the kitchen and living room was designed to maintain sightlines across the home, allowing family members to remain connected while each space functions independently.

Designing around family life

Central to the project is a clear distinction between public and private zones, bringing a sense of order and tranquillity to the home.

At the heart of the apartment, the living room functions as a multifunctional gathering space, bringing together a fireplace lounge, family seating area and sculptural television wall. A mirror positioned above the fireplace reflects both daylight and views from the surrounding windows, visually expanding the room while reinforcing the importance of natural light within the design.

A cosy reading nook overlooks the city skyline, while the adjoining kitchen combines pale cabinetry, natural stone and soft green accents to create a serene backdrop for daily family life.

A kitchen designed with connection in mind

One of the apartment's most distinctive architectural gestures emerged from a deeply personal request by the homeowner. While working in the kitchen, she wanted to maintain visual contact with her young daughter playing in the living room. Rather than separating the rooms with traditional doors or fully opening the plan, the designers introduced a refined glazed partition that preserves sightlines, natural light and spatial continuity.

The intervention allows both spaces to function independently while remaining connected, demonstrating how thoughtful design solutions can respond directly to the realities of family life.

The daughter’s bedroom balances playfulness and sophistication through blush tones, curved detailing and whimsical lighting, creating a nurturing environment designed to evolve with her over time.

A special room for a long-awaited daughter

The project was completed shortly after the arrival of the family's long-awaited daughter, a milestone that subtly shaped many of the design decisions throughout the home.

Geometric wall panelling, layered textiles and a built-in window seat bring character and comfort to the son’s bedroom, where muted greens and warm neutrals foster a sense of calm.

Particular care was devoted to creating environments that balance practicality with emotional warmth. Nowhere is this more evident than in the daughter's bedroom, conceived as a gentle and imaginative retreat.

Soft forms, seamless transitions and playful details create an environment that encourages creativity while maintaining the overall sense of calm that defines the apartment. The room feels connected to the home's wider design language while offering its own distinct character.

A custom study area combines open shelving, oak detailing and sculptural furniture, providing a practical yet imaginative workspace designed to encourage creativity and learning.

Sculptural details that soften the architecture

Although the project embraces restraint, carefully placed focal points introduce moments of visual interest. Among the most striking is a sculptural veneered panel positioned in the entrance hall. Its flowing silhouette brings movement to the otherwise disciplined architecture, acting simultaneously as a zoning device and an artistic statement.

Throughout the apartment, similar gestures demonstrate the studio's ability to balance functionality with refinement. Decorative elements are never excessive; instead, they emerge naturally from the architecture itself.

Rich timber wall cladding, arched doorways and sculptural lighting transform the entrance hall into a welcoming architectural statement, introducing the home’s recurring language of curves and soft geometry.

Where luxury is found in simplicity

Rather than relying on grand gestures or overt displays of opulence, Aidesign Studio has created a home that celebrates clarity, proportion and thoughtful design. It is a project that prioritises how a home feels to live in, proving that the most enduring interiors are often those designed not to impress at first glance, but to support everyday life beautifully over time.

In the bathrooms, natural stone, fluted timber cabinetry, arched mirrors and soft pink accents continue the project’s refined aesthetic, demonstrating how thoughtful detailing can elevate everyday rituals.

Credits

Designers: Aibike Smagulova and Irina Fomina of Aidesign Studio

Photography: Mila Lototskaya

Styling: Yulia Metzger