When interior designer Olga Ryukina set out to build her family’s country home, she stepped into a rare trifecta of roles: architect, decorator, and client. The result is a deeply personal timber-clad retreat nestled in a forest of towering fir trees - a house that blurs the lines between indoor comfort and the untamed serenity of nature.
Located on a heavily wooded plot, Ryukina’s number one rule was non-negotiable: not a single tree would be felled. The house had to grow around the landscape, not over it. “The forest was the plot’s greatest asset,” she says, and it became both a muse and framework for the design. Floor-to-ceiling windows dominate the facade, welcoming in green views and natural light, while the layout orientates all primary living spaces toward the trees.
Though the structure’s exterior is a nod to her husband’s desire for a timber home, the interior is a masterclass in material contrast and complexity. To integrate modern functionality within a settling timber frame, Ryukina used plasterboard for internal walls - a technical challenge that required thoughtful engineering solutions. The decision allowed her to sculpt a highly functional, contemporary interior without sacrificing the rustic charm of the exterior.
Fluid Living, Layered Spaces
The two-story home is organised with clarity and flow. On the ground floor, a circular layout encourages movement - there’s no singular path from room to room, creating a sense of discovery. A soaring double-height living room anchors the space, complemented by a smaller, more intimate second lounge that serves as her husband’s retreat. The open-plan dining area, kitchen, pantry, and entry hall complete the public zone, each space unfolding naturally into the next.
Upstairs, private quarters offer peace and practicality. The master suite includes a study and walk-in closet, while additional bedrooms for children and guests are tailored with personalised finishes. A reading nook overlooking the double-height windows offers a quiet perch to enjoy the surrounding forest.
Natural Beauty, Inside and Out
Every material choice echoes the landscape. Floors transition from durable porcelain stoneware in high-traffic areas to warm wood in the living spaces. Marble countertops grace the kitchen and baths, their subtle veining adding elegance despite their fragility.
Walls are alive with texture: painted finishes, toned timber, tile, stainless steel, and wood veneer lend a layered richness. Book niches are tiled; firewood is stored in stainless steel-lined alcoves; and key thresholds are framed in panels that mirror the natural grain of the surrounding trees. Even the artwork - like a papier-mâché relief by Ulyana Khokhlova - plays with the verticality of tree trunks and forest forms.
Vintage Soul, Contemporary Mind
What truly animates the space is Ryukina’s signature blend of eras. “In all my projects, I try to mix contemporary furniture, vintage pieces, and custom-made items,” she says. The result is an interior that feels timeless, rich in character, and layered with meaning.
A 1970s light fixture from Yugoslavia greets guests in the entryway. The living room is a veritable gallery of European design: a Mats Theselius armchair for IKEA (1980s), French side tables from the 1960s, and a Danish chair of the same era. Vintage PH5 pendant lamps by Louis Poulsen hover above a dining table surrounded by Italian chairs, the very pieces that sparked Ryukina and her husband’s shared passion for vintage design.
From a Wave armchair by Tonon on the second floor to a Friso Kramer chair in the children’s room, each vintage find adds a layer of soul. These collected pieces inspired new custom designs - a stainless steel table, a sculptural sofa, and even staircase sconces drawn from Ryukina’s own sketches.
Harmony as Design Principle
What holds it all together is a deep respect for context. The forest isn’t just a view - it’s a design partner. From the colour palette to the vertical motifs and natural finishes, every decision was guided by the desire to live with the landscape, not just in it.
In this timber retreat, she’s done just that - crafting a home that honours nature, nurtures family, and elevates everyday life through thoughtful design.
Credits
Interior design by Olga Ryukina, Instagram: @olga.ryukina
Photography by Mikhail Loskutov, Instagram: @loskutoff
Style by Natalya Yagofarova, Instagram: @yagorfarovanatalya
