A Designer’s Dream Home with Panoramic Views of Moscow

Olesya Gelman-Dobrovolskaya opens the doors to her light-filled, artfully curated Moscow apartment

When interior designer Olesya Gelman-Dobrovolskaya set out to create a home for her family, she knew it had to reflect more than just her aesthetic - it had to capture the soul of the city she loves. Located on the 9th floor of a new building in central Moscow, the 159-square-meter apartment looks out over Kutuzovsky Prospekt, the shimmering towers of Moscow City, and the graceful arc of the Presnenskaya Embankment.

“I wanted to design a space that didn't just overlook Moscow, but actually embraced it,” says Gelman-Dobrovolskaya. With French windows, Juliet balconies, and soaring 3.5-meter ceilings, the apartment does just that - flooding with natural light and framing the city like an ever-changing piece of art.

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The apartment is flooded with natural light and framing the city like an ever-changing piece of art, Image: Liza Gurovskaya

Nods to History, Rooted in Now

The project draws stylistic inspiration from the nearby Ukraine Hotel, one of the iconic Stalinist skyscrapers that define Moscow’s skyline. Crystal columns and classic French herringbone parquet lay the foundation for an interior that mixes Art Deco glamour with timeless sophistication.

The layout spans three facades and follows an enfilade-style plan that enhances both flow and formality. The grand public spaces - entrance hall, living room, dining area, and a Molteni&Co kitchen by Vincent Van Duysen - are designed for both elegant entertaining and everyday family life. In the private quarters, the master suite and a self-contained suite for her daughter offer comfort and privacy with thoughtful design touches.

The master suite offers comfort and privacy with thoughtful design touches, Image: Liza Gurovskaya

A Neutral Canvas for Light, Texture, and Art

A serene, neutral palette anchors the space, chosen to reflect the abundance of daylight and expansive views. "With so much natural light, I could afford to be restrained," Gelman-Dobrovolskaya explains. Warm stone, bronze accents, hand-applied gold leaf, and natural marble surfaces create a rich, layered effect throughout.

Furniture from POUENAT 1880 and Holly Hunt adds refinement, while lighting by L1 GROUP brings flexibility and mood-shifting elegance. The centerpiece kitchen features a dramatic 9 cm-thick marble countertop - both sculptural and functional.

The centerpiece kitchen features a dramatic 9 cm-thick marble countertop - both sculptural and functional, Image: Liza Gurovskaya

Textile-Laden Luxury

Silk wall coverings in the main rooms evoke luxury, while cotton and XPE wall panels in other spaces introduce softness and tactile depth. Textiles, Gelman-Dobrovolskaya says, are more than decorative: “They bring warmth, personality, and acoustic comfort.”

Every Piece Tells a Story

Art is the soul of this home. Every piece has been selected with intention - from Svetlana Chimitdorzhina’s introspective painting in the living room to a bronze sculpture by Aude Herledan in the master bedroom. “Nothing here is incidental,” she emphasises. A vintage Maitland Smith dish, a Francois Mascarello silk panel, and ceramics by Maria Toropygina and Victoria Dego all contribute to a deeply personal narrative woven through the apartment.

Art is the soul of this home with every piece selected with intention, Image: Liza Gurovskaya

This apartment is more than a design project, it’s a portrait of a designer’s life, passions, and values. “It’s a celebration of detail, a balance of form, texture, and material,” says Gelman-Dobrovolskaya. “Every aspect was carefully considered and executed - and I’m truly thrilled with the result.”