In this compact apartment, geometric shapes — circles, squares and rectangles — introduce a sense of playful rhythm. The minimalist interior, defined by natural materials and tones, is layered with striking textures and visual moments that unfold from one corner to the next. What could have felt constrained instead reads as expansive, thanks to a considered approach that extends the space vertically while using colour to subtly define transitions.
Designed by Dasha Kossa, the project began as both a spatial and creative challenge. “This project presented an interesting architectural challenge, both in terms of the planning solution and as a test of my decorative skills,” she says. “As an architect, my goal is to work with space not just in terms of decoration and function, but also in form and volume.”
From Concrete Shell to Countryside Dream
The brief was deeply personal. A couple and their student son longed for the feeling of a countryside home — specifically a bright, double-height living space more typical of a rural house than an urban apartment. Their new home, set within a riverside residential complex on the outskirts of Moscow, offered proximity to nature but not the architecture they imagined.
“During our first meeting, the clients showed me a reference photo of a spacious living room in a wooden house,” Kossa recalls. “This image was quite different from our starting point, which was a small concrete construction, but it inspired me to try and turn this dream into reality.”
The result is a nuanced balance between two worlds. “For the owners, this project became a quest to find a balance between their preferences,” she explains. “When reviewing references for the project, they were drawn to both the interiors of countryside houses and apartment designs in skyscrapers in modern metropolises.”
Reworking Volume Through Vertical Expansion
Originally a single-level apartment with a modest mezzanine-like extension, the home has been completely reimagined. A full second floor now houses two bedrooms and a bathroom, while the double-height living area remains intact — anchored by a dramatic window that stretches up to the roofline.
The intervention increased the apartment’s footprint from 57.2 to 71 square metres, but more importantly, it redefined how the space is experienced. A floating staircase introduces a sculptural quality, enhancing the sense of openness and flow.
“To divide the space on the ground floor and create a decorative window in the guest bedroom on the second floor, I used a uniform pattern for all decorative partitions in the space,” says Kossa. “This common rhythmic element allowed me to connect both levels.”
Light, Texture and Subtle Transitions
Natural light plays a central role, dissolving boundaries and reinforcing the connection between interior and landscape. The palette mirrors this intention: soft greys and off-whites evoke shifting weather conditions, while terracotta flooring, a moss-toned sofa and accents of ochre and yellow introduce warmth.
“I wanted to create a space that feels airy and light,” Kossa explains. “Overall, I minimised the use of walls and corridors, incorporating them only where necessary for privacy. The rest of the space was filled with design solutions and visual techniques to maximise airiness and volume.”
Materiality deepens the experience. Wood, metal, glass and handmade ceramics coexist with tactile textiles, creating a layered yet restrained composition. In the living room, the artwork Cow Cape by Pavel Efanov becomes a focal point. Positioned on an oak portal, it draws the eye outward — “as if you were sitting there and looking at the river outside the window,” the designer notes.
Detail as Storytelling
Throughout the apartment, moments of personality emerge in unexpected ways. In the second-floor bathroom, a custom mirror frame featuring turtles pays homage to the homeowners’ beloved pet. What began as a playful idea became a defining feature — grounding the space with emotional resonance.
Elsewhere, a design misstep turned into an opportunity. A wallpaper delivery error in the main bedroom led to a fully bespoke solution. “Seizing the chance for a bespoke touch, the designer curated a custom colour story and oversaw the hand-painting of the raised squares,” resulting in a richer, more integrated finish.
A Cohesive, Considered Retreat
Despite its compact footprint, the apartment feels expansive, calm and deeply connected to its surroundings. Colour is used not just decoratively, but architecturally — uniting spaces, defining zones and guiding the eye. From the darker, enveloping entrance to the sunlit cream tones of the guest bedroom, each area carries its own atmosphere while contributing to a cohesive whole.
“I wanted to convey this relationship between the interior and the natural environment through the colour palette,” Kossa says.
The result is a home that challenges assumptions about small-space living. It proves that with clarity of vision, thoughtful planning and a willingness to push beyond convention, even the most compact apartment can hold the feeling of something far larger — and far more personal.
Credits
Interior design and styling: Dasha Kossa, Instagram: @dasha.kossa
Photos: Sergey Krasyuk, Instagram: @skrasyukx
Production: Karine Monié, Instagram: @karinemonie
