Sunny Mint Brings Art and Colour Together in a Family Home

Some homes are designed around a colour palette. Others begin with architecture. The aptly named Sunny Mint apartment in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, tells a different story altogether — one where treasured artworks, cherished family memories and thoughtful design come together to create an interior that feels deeply personal.

Designed by interior designer Ainur Kenzhegulova, the 140-square-metre apartment was created for a family who values art, music and objects with history. Rather than chasing fleeting trends, the brief focused on creating a calm, timeless home that would continue to evolve alongside its owners while maintaining its distinctive identity.

A Colour Palette That Evolves Throughout the Home

The name Sunny Mint emerged during the design process and perfectly captures the home's atmosphere. Gentle mint green becomes the defining thread, flowing seamlessly from the apartment's social spaces into its more intimate rooms.

In the open-plan living area, soft mint walls feel fresh and uplifting, particularly when paired with warm honey-toned timber veneers and clean architectural lines. The restrained backdrop allows furniture, artwork and decorative objects to take centre stage without competing for attention.

As the home transitions into the private quarters, the mint tones gradually deepen into richer greens, creating a cocooning atmosphere in the principal bedroom while maintaining visual continuity throughout the apartment.

An Open-Plan Space Designed for Connection

The kitchen and living room were combined into one generous open-plan environment, allowing natural light to travel freely through the apartment.

At the heart of the space sits a round dining table — a deliberate choice that encourages conversation and togetherness. It's where family meals, celebrations and everyday moments naturally unfold, reinforcing the home's emphasis on connection rather than formality.

Natural materials further soften the contemporary architecture. Warm timber, tactile finishes and carefully balanced proportions create an understated backdrop that feels elegant without becoming overly minimal.

Art Tells the Story

Perhaps the most striking feature of the apartment is its art collection. Rather than sourcing pieces solely for decorative purposes, many of the artworks already belonged to the family, becoming the foundation around which the interiors were developed.

The living room is anchored by a large painting created by the client's uncle. The artwork had previously been exhibited in Dubai — a city where the family lived for several years — and now serves as a daily reminder of that chapter in their lives.

The narrative continues in the entrance hall, where another painting gifted by the same uncle on a birthday has found a permanent home. More than simply decorating the walls, these artworks preserve family history while adding emotional richness to the interiors.

Alongside the paintings, the family's vinyl record collection introduces another layer of personality, celebrating their love of music while reinforcing the apartment's curated, lived-in character.

Personality in Every Room

While the home's overall aesthetic remains cohesive, each bedroom reflects the individuality of its occupant. The principal suite embraces deeper shades of mint, with a green upholstered bed echoing the portrait displayed opposite it. The palette feels restful and sophisticated, creating a peaceful retreat from daily life.

The adjoining bathroom continues this calming narrative through materiality. Warm travertine forms the foundation, while mosaic tiles introduce subtle movement across the surfaces. Gold tapware provides refined accents, bringing warmth and quiet luxury without overpowering the natural finishes.

The children's bedrooms introduce playful personality through colour. The son's room features vibrant orange accents across furniture, textiles and finishes, injecting warmth and youthful energy.

Meanwhile, the daughter's bedroom adopts a softer approach with powder pink tones, delicate floral murals and sculptural plaster butterflies that create an imaginative, dreamlike atmosphere.

Designing a Home That Lasts

Sunny Mint demonstrates that timeless interiors aren't created by avoiding colour—they're created by using it with intention. By combining a restrained architectural framework with meaningful artwork, carefully chosen materials and a palette inspired by nature, Ainur Kenzhegulova has designed a home that feels both contemporary and enduring.

Rather than relying on statement trends, the apartment celebrates the everyday rituals of family life through spaces that are comfortable, expressive and filled with personal significance. It's a reminder that the most memorable homes are often those that tell the people who live there's story — one carefully considered detail at a time.

Credits

Interior Designer: Ainur Kenzhegulova, @ainur_interiors

Photographer: Mila Lototskaia, @mila_interiophoto

Stylist: Yulia Metsger, @juli.mtfbwu