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A Home Where the City, Nature and Memory Meet

Blending vintage treasures, contemporary design and an impressive collection of art, this thoughtfully curated apartment creates a seamless connection between city living and personal history.

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By Vuya Maqubela  | June 24, 2019 | House Tours

Some homes are designed around a view. Others are built around a collection. This apartment does something rare: it captures the feeling of a place, translating it into an interior that is rich with memory, artistry, and character.

Set against a backdrop of lush parks and contemporary architecture, the home feels immensely connected to its surroundings. The colours, textures, and carefully curated objects create a dialogue between the city outside and the life unfolding within, resulting in an interior that is both sophisticated and personal.


A mix of vintage heirlooms and evocative artworks gives this city apartment its distinctive sense of place, where every object contributes to a story that unfolds room by room.

The story begins in the living room, where a remarkable antique card catalogue cabinet immediately commands attention. More than a decorative statement, the century-old piece carries a rich history of its own. Finished in black and detailed with French inscriptions, its many drawers evoke a sense of nostalgia while bringing a sculptural presence to the space. It is the kind of object that anchors a room, offering a connection to another era.


A century-old card catalogue cabinet anchors the living room, bringing history, character and a sense of discovery to the unique interior.

Throughout the apartment, a palette of deep blues, forest greens, and warm earth tones reflects the landscape beyond the windows. The colours echo pine trees, open skies and the golden light of late afternoon, creating a sense of continuity between indoors and out.

Instead of relying on trend-driven styling, the design embraces timeless layers, allowing vintage finds, contemporary furnishings, and original artworks to coexist effortlessly in the space.


Deep blues, forest greens and warm sunset-inspired tones fill the interior, creating a palette that blurs the line between the natural world outside and the layers within.

Art plays a defining role in this home's identity. In the living area, a textured work by artist Aliya Nizamova introduces depth and visual intrigue, while the playful lines of a floor lamp by designer Fredrik Mattsson adds a lighter note. Together, these elements create an atmosphere that feels carefully curated.

The dining area continues this narrative of artistry and storytelling. Centred around a round table designed to encourage conversation, the space is warm and welcoming. Particularly striking is a wooden tabletop embedded with soft impressions of antique keys, transforming a functional piece into an object of artistic statements. 

Nearby, a painting created by the designer adds a personal touch, reinforcing the home's intimate and collected traits.

Designed for gathering, the dining space pairs craftsmanship and comfort, centred around a statement round table rich in detail.

In the kitchen, practicality is elevated through thoughtful design choices and expressive details. Contemporary lighting shines alongside restored vintage seating from 1970s Romania, creating a layered aesthetic that feels refined. An energetic artwork by Alexey Lesin adds colour and movement, ensuring that the room feels every bit as creative as it is functional.

Rich blue cabinetry and textured tiled walls bring depth and character to the kitchen, creating a space that feels both bold and inviting.

The entrance hall sets the tone from the moment one arrives. Resourceful storage solutions are paired with playful decorative accents, balancing organisation with personality.

The entrance hall offers a warm welcome, where thoughtful storage, playful details and carefully chosen accents set the tone for the character-filled interiors beyond.

The bathroom offers a calmer moment. Here, a whimsical mirror framed with wooden spheres introduces softness and charm, while clean-lined fixtures maintain a sense of simplicity. The result is an intimate retreat that feels considered without being too formal.

A playful mirror framed with wooden spheres introduces softness and charm to the bathroom's calm, understated palette.

In the bedroom, the mood shifts towards serenity. Wallpaper featuring a gentle cloud-inspired pattern creates an atmosphere of lightness, while soft furnishings and rounded forms encourage a sense of relaxation. 

Ultimately, this home thrives because it resists the temptation to separate the past from the present. Instead, it allows history, art, nature, and contemporary living to exist in conversation with one another.

Cloud-inspired wallpaper and carefully selected artworks transform the bedroom into a tranquil retreat designed for rest and reflection.

Every room reveals another layer of the story, creating an interior that feels not only beautifully designed but lived in – a home shaped as much by memory and emotion as by furniture and finishes.

Credits

Designer and stylist - Aliya Nizamova

Photographer - Roman Spiridonov