An Art-Led Almaty Apartment Where Art and Nature Meet

Inspired by a painting by Kazakh artist Abdrashit Sydykhanov, this Almaty apartment blends art, architecture and nature

In Almaty, Kazakhstan, a 122-square-metre apartment in the Selin residential complex reimagines the home as a private sanctuary, where contemporary interiors, local art and a connection to nature come together in quiet harmony. Designed in 2026 by Anna Aranovich of Pinteriors studio, the apartment takes its conceptual starting point from Ark, a painting by Kazakh artist Abdrashit Sydykhanov. Rather than translating the artwork into a literal decorative theme, the project draws on its underlying idea of shelter, creating an intimate world shaped around the couple who call it home.

At the heart of the apartment is an open-plan living and dining area designed for everyday life. Large glazed openings extend the interior towards a private terrace, where dense planting establishes a sense of seclusion. The outdoor space functions as an additional room, accommodating everything from morning coffee to leisurely meals and moments of quiet reflection. This carefully considered relationship between interior and landscape lends the apartment a sense of openness without compromising its privacy.

interiors

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The open-plan living and dining area connects to a leafy private terrace, extending the apartment into the surrounding landscape

Inside, a restrained architectural palette allows art, furniture and sculptural lighting to take centre stage. Warm wood veneer, textured neutral surfaces and parquet flooring establish a tactile foundation, while black graphic details, glass and metal introduce contrast. The result is an interior that feels contemporary yet inviting, balancing clean architectural lines with materials that bring warmth and depth.

Warm wood veneer, parquet flooring and textured neutral finishes create a tactile foundation for the apartment's contemporary design

The kitchen follows the same understated approach. Concealed behind tall, integrated cabinetry and framed by warm timber, it recedes into the architecture rather than competing with the living area. A monolithic island in a light finish creates contrast against the rich veneer, while a sculptural pendant light draws the eye upwards, transforming a practical workspace into a considered design feature.

Integrated cabinetry allows the kitchen to recede into the architecture, while a sculptural pendant defines the central island

Art is integral to the apartment’s identity, woven into the interior rather than treated as an afterthought. Works by Kazakh artists establish a dialogue with the furniture, materials and changing qualities of light, grounding the contemporary scheme in its cultural context. Against the neutral backdrop, carefully placed accents of green glass, terracotta and muted lilac introduce colour without disrupting the overall calm. Lighting by BOMMA, Mogg and Aromas adds another expressive layer, with individual pieces functioning almost as suspended sculptures against the timber and textured walls.

Works by Kazakh artists bring cultural identity to the restrained interior, complemented by subtle accents of terracotta and lilac

The private quarters offer a softer, more intimate counterpoint to the shared living spaces. Conceived as a self-contained master suite, this area incorporates the bedroom, two dressing rooms, a study and a private bathroom. Pale tactile finishes, natural wood and dusty lilac textiles establish a gentler atmosphere, while the bedroom’s direct access to the terrace creates a more personal connection to the garden.

The master bedroom pairs dusty lilac textiles with pale tactile finishes and natural wood for a softer, more intimate atmosphere

Here, the landscape becomes more than a visual backdrop. Sheltered by the architecture and surrounded by dense planting, the terrace provides a secluded outdoor retreat, blurring the boundaries between the built environment and nature.

Throughout the apartment, the design unfolds as a sequence of contrasting experiences: open and intimate, warm and understated, architectural and artistic. Each element contributes to a cohesive whole, allowing the home to feel both carefully composed and deeply personal.

Dense planting transforms the private terrace into a secluded outdoor retreat, softening the boundary between home and garden

Ultimately, the idea behind Ark extends beyond the painting that inspired the project. In Aranovich’s interpretation, the home becomes a protected personal territory, shaped by the people who inhabit it and the art, objects and memories they choose to surround themselves with. It is an approach to contemporary apartment design that places individuality, cultural identity and a sense of belonging at its centre.