Set within the Moscow residential complex ILOVE, this 89.8-square-metre apartment by PLANKA is a study in restraint. Designed for a young family, the interior moves away from excess, instead embracing a slower, more intentional way of living shaped by the principles of Japandi design.
Here, Japanese minimalism meets Scandinavian warmth, guided by the philosophy of wabi-sabi — where imperfection, material honesty and quietness define the space. The result is an interior that feels grounded, refined and deeply calming.
A Home Without Visual Noise
From the moment you enter, the absence of clutter is striking. The design avoids unnecessary detail, allowing proportion, texture and light to take centre stage. A muted palette and tactile finishes create a sense of cohesion, while carefully balanced geometry brings order to the space.
This is not minimalism for the sake of aesthetics — it is minimalism as a lifestyle choice. Every element has been considered, ensuring that the home supports daily life without overwhelming it.
The Ceiling as Architecture
One of the apartment’s most distinctive features lies overhead. The ceiling has been treated as an architectural element in its own right, with integrated lighting and subtle volumetric shifts creating a gentle rhythm throughout the home.
This layered approach softens the space, enhancing how it is experienced rather than simply how it looks. Light becomes diffused and ambient, reinforcing the sense of calm that runs through the interior.
A Seamless Living Space
The main living area brings together the kitchen and lounge in a unified composition, where boundaries between functions are intentionally blurred. A bespoke sofa anchors the seating area, while a custom dining table flows directly from the kitchen island, creating a natural connection between cooking, dining and relaxing.
Veneered panels extend across the TV wall and window reveals, adding warmth and continuity. Concealed doors and minimal electrical fittings further refine the visual language, allowing the architecture to remain uninterrupted.
Material Honesty and Warmth
Materiality is consistent throughout the apartment, reinforcing its calm, cohesive identity. Engineered wood flooring grounds the space, while porcelain stoneware and subtle metal accents introduce texture without distraction.
Lighting — both technical and decorative — has been carefully selected to enhance the atmosphere rather than dominate it. The effect is layered but understated, allowing each element to contribute quietly to the whole.
Private Spaces, Thoughtfully Resolved
The same philosophy carries into the more intimate areas of the home. The bedroom is soft and cocooning, defined by gentle lighting and custom furniture that prioritises comfort without excess.
In the children’s room, a sense of play is introduced subtly, ensuring the space remains cohesive with the rest of the apartment while still feeling personal and inviting.
Bathrooms are treated as monolithic volumes, where porcelain surfaces, integrated fixtures and muted tones create a spa-like experience rooted in simplicity and calm.
A Refined Way of Living
What makes this apartment stand out is not a single statement piece, but the way everything works together. It is a home defined by balance — between light and shadow, texture and form, function and feeling.
By prioritising proportion, materiality and quiet design, the space becomes more than just a place to live. It becomes a framework for everyday life, where calm is not just an aesthetic, but a lived experience.
Credits
Designer: PLANKA, Instagram: @planka_buro
Photographer: Sergey Ananyev, Instagram: @sergey_ananyev
Stylist: Yes We May, Instagram: @yes_we_may
