Though radically different in scale, setting and purpose, these two projects by Russian designer Ekaterina Safronova reveal a remarkably consistent approach to contemporary living. One is a compact 44-square-metre apartment perched high above the Moscow River; the other, a 250-square-metre suburban country house reworked into a tranquil retreat. Taken together, they show how thoughtful planning, restrained materials and a sensitivity to atmosphere can completely transform the way a home feels.
In both interiors, Safronova prioritises comfort, calm and functionality — but each project expresses those values in its own distinct way.
The Apartment: A Small Space with a Generous Spirit
Located on the 23rd floor of the Headliner residential complex in Moscow, the apartment was conceived as an investment property for rental or resale. The budget was carefully controlled, and the compact footprint presented an obvious challenge. A large monolithic structural wall further complicated the plan, dividing the space and limiting how it could function.
Rather than seeing this as a constraint, Safronova approached it as a puzzle to be solved. The redesign introduced a separate bedroom, a walk-in wardrobe and a bathroom with both a full bath and a shower — an impressive level of functionality for such a compact home. Glass blocks and transparent partitions were used to ensure natural light could reach every part of the interior, helping the apartment feel open and bright despite its size.
The main living area is dedicated to a spacious kitchen with a practical work surface and a dining table for six — “in case there’s a party,” the designer notes. It is a gesture that immediately shifts the apartment beyond mere efficiency, suggesting a home designed not only for practicality, but for sociability and pleasure.
The standout feature is a modular podium positioned by the window and inspired by Japanese aesthetics. Built from drywall and finished in soft carpet, it transforms from sofa to daybed to elevated seat, all while framing panoramic views of the Moscow River. It has become the emotional centre of the apartment: a place for working, resting or simply sitting quietly with the view.
A restrained palette of travertine flooring, off-white walls and light oak furniture enhances the sense of calm, while black accents introduce a subtle wabi-sabi character. The apartment may be compact, but it feels psychologically expansive — layered, peaceful and carefully attuned to everyday life.
The House: A Standard Country Home, Elevated with Ease
If the apartment is a lesson in spatial ingenuity, the country house project is an exercise in refinement. Located in the Novorizhskoye direction, the 250-square-metre suburban home was purchased with basic interiors already in place. The challenge was not to alter the architecture dramatically, but to elevate the house without making major structural interventions or significant changes to the electrical system.
Working with a young couple she had collaborated with before, Safronova focused on creating an environment that would promote both visual calm and physical relaxation. Existing features such as the fireplace and large windows overlooking the surrounding forest naturally guided the design, setting the tone for an interior that feels grounded, serene and retreat-like.
The redesign relied on subtle yet meaningful changes. Door heights were unified, axes aligned, decorative perforated block partitions introduced, and the kitchen layout, staircase and storage areas refined to improve flow and function. These interventions are understated, but together they give the home a stronger sense of rhythm and coherence.
A warm, sandy palette was chosen for the walls and ceilings, inspired by a glazed microcement shower from a previous project that the clients particularly loved. Travertine tile was used for the flooring, anchoring the interiors in natural materiality and understated elegance.
Custom-designed furniture plays a significant role throughout the house, especially in the master suite, where Safronova worked with carpenters to create a distinctive bed frame and matching bedside units. These bespoke elements add a crafted, personal quality to the home, balancing its contemporary sensibility with softness and warmth.
The result is a country house that feels timeless yet current — polished, but never cold. It is a thoughtful reinterpretation of a typical suburban home, transformed through proportion, texture and detail into something far more refined.
Two Projects, One Design Sensibility
Seen side by side, the apartment and the house reveal Safronova’s particular gift for making interiors feel more generous than their raw conditions might suggest. In the city apartment, that generosity comes through clever multifunctional planning and an intimate relationship with the view. In the country house, it emerges through improved flow, custom detailing and a calm material palette that supports daily life.
Credits
Designer: Ekaterina Safronova, @katindsgn
Photographer: Katya Geits, @geits.ph
