In a rare and enviable turn of events, this project began before the apartment was even purchased. The designer and client worked in tandem from the outset, reviewing multiple properties until they found one that aligned seamlessly with a clear vision of everyday life. What ultimately set this apartment apart was its spatial potential, architectural character and location — a foundation strong enough to carry both memory and modernity.
The homeowner, a mother raising her young daughter, brought to the process a refined sensibility and a deep appreciation for art. She understood precisely how she wanted to live. During the design phase, several layout options were carefully developed, each structured to comply with official redevelopment approvals — an essential consideration in historic buildings. It was a meticulous approach that ensured beauty would never come at the expense of practicality.
As with many heritage apartments, the space bore the marks of its communal past. Original stucco detailing had been lost over time, leaving behind a shell stripped of its former dignity. Rather than attempting a literal restoration, the designer used this absence as a creative opportunity. The apartment was reimagined to regain its architectural rhythm through proportion, moulding and geometry, while embracing a contemporary design language.
Central to the brief was a spacious living room positioned adjacent to the child’s bedroom — a shared zone where play, homework and quiet evenings could unfold within arm’s reach of one another. The remainder of the plan is compact yet highly resolved: a functional kitchen, laundry room, guest bathroom and a serene master suite overlooking a quiet courtyard, complete with walk-in wardrobe and private bathroom.
Despite its modest footprint, the apartment feels considered and complete. Glossy black double doors create a striking visual punctuation against softer finishes. Storage is discreetly concealed by matching cabinetry to wall colours, with only classic panel detailing offering subtle relief. The effect is cohesive rather than cluttered — a lesson in restraint.
The entrance hall, often overlooked in smaller homes, becomes a defining moment. Framed by two portals, two doors and a built-in double wardrobe, it could easily have felt awkward. Instead, the designer introduced a soft semicircular geometry to the floor plan, accentuated by a pronounced cornice. Decorative mouldings wrap walls and doors, masking secondary spaces while lending the hall a strong architectural identity.
In the kitchen, scale and atmosphere elevate function. Though compact, it feels almost ceremonial, anchored by a large chandelier and a round dining table that encourages conversation. Carefully chosen artworks soften the room and reinforce the homeowner’s artistic leanings.
In the master bathroom, a freestanding bathtub becomes a sculptural focal point, revealed elegantly through twin portals — one from the bedroom and another from the dressing room — creating a sense of procession and quiet luxury.
Natural light is a constant collaborator. In the morning, filtered daylight passes through the dense foliage of a maple tree outside, dappling the kitchen and bedroom in gentle shade. By afternoon, golden light floods the living room, warming surfaces and deepening textures. This shifting light animates the interiors, allowing them to feel alive throughout the day.
The construction process, as is often the case in historic buildings, presented technical complexities. Yet mutual trust between designer and client ensured solutions were found without compromising the vision. The result is an apartment that feels dignified, personal and quietly confident — a home designed not only for aesthetic pleasure, but for the rhythms of real life.
Credits
Designer: Vera Lemeshko, @lemeshkovera
Photography: Mikhail Loskutov, @loskutoff
Styling: Tatiana Gedike, @repeatstory
