The designers of this project put the accent on the play of the opposites. The interior of the apartment is in contrast with the architecture of the residential complex which is built in the English style with distinctive window leads. This type of contrast can sometimes be seen in England itself, when the classic softness of the facades conceals the industrial brutalism of the interiors.

The clients, a family with one son, were very actively involved in the project. It was the wife who chose our bureau as Oleg Klodt’s style resonated with her. She took a very active part in all of the stages of the project, from concept design to choosing furniture, lighting and décor. As a result, her influence on the interior aesthetics was quite significant. The technical side of the project, such as equipment and engineering solutions was discussed with the husband as he is quite specialist in these areas. In this case the active involvements of the clients did not hinder the progress of the project, as mutual trust and their ability to take on board our recommendations helped achieve great results.

Oleg Klodt: “I think that it was mutual trust that helped make this project so stylish and full of charisma. For me it is one of my favourite interiors we have completed recently. I can confidently say that I would be happy to live there myself.”

The planning solution aim was to create three completely independent living spaces: male, female and child. Each private space would have own bedroom, bathroom and walk in wardrobe (apart from the nursery). We looked at each space as a separate area in terms of design.

Hallway
The hallway turned out very brutalist. The walls were designed to be concrete. They are partly real concrete and partly concrete style finish. The floor is porcelain stoneware slabs, which are usually more suitable for converted industrial spaces or even outdoors. The APPARATUS lights on the wall are intentionally brutalist with black bronze finish. These objects are somewhat classical and somewhat arty and help create a contrast with everything industrial and give the space a unique feel and style.

Kitchen
For the kitchen we designed the most complicated structure which is a glass partition with a metal framework, that serves two purposes at the same time. First – to isolate the smells and sounds of the kitchen from the sitting room area, and second – to visually bring these two spaces together. The ergonomics of the space are designed in a way that the TV is positioned directly along the axis of the partition and the kitchen island so that the screen is visible from the kitchen. The architecture of the space starts with the partition structure, elements of which join the kitchen island while going through the ceiling and the wall.
The island itself if very industrial. Even the mixer tap we chose for it is similar to those used in professional kitchens – big and functional. Everything is carefully thought out to provide practicality and then aesthetics follow functionality. And to contrast all that there is a very minimalistic and laconic kitchen façade, where all the kitchen appliances and crockery are hidden behind closed cupboards.

Living Room
The living room interior is filled with individual objects. To contrast the simple industrial look, the portals leading from the hallway to the sitting room are deliberately classic and proportionally larger. The material we chose is also not oak that is typical for industrial conversions but sycamore. This wood is usually used exclusively for expensive and glamorous interiors.
The entire interior is balanced on the contrasts as if original individual items were brought into a contemporary industrial loft and arranged into an ensemble. A coffee table with a complicated shape, chest of drawers, yellow armchairs, lambrequin curtains and a rug. The result is a subtle play of opposites thanks to which one can see a design that is far from dull with a touch of glamour and irony. In the dining room the central object is a table from designer Tom Faulkner, which features brutalist legs and a stone tabletop. Above it are lights from Urban Electricco that resemble streetlights of the late 19th and early 20th century in shape and appearance. The chairs around the table are not contemporary but perfectly classic. In these surroundings and playing on the contrasts they look ironic and very appropriate.

Gentleman’s bedroom
The entrance into the client’s bedroom is from the sitting room via the dressing room. The bed is positioned in the centre of the room. The design of the bed is very brutalist with a leather headboard. The grey and blue palette of the bedroom is offset by the brown wardrobes in the dressing room and foxy-red cushions on the bed.
All the details carefully chosen for this room have a very masculine character. APPARATUS pendant lamps by the bed are of industrial shape but due to their proportions and quality look very expensive.

Kid’s room
The son’s room interior is rather dark for a nursery and matches the father’s bedroom in style. In this room, just like the others, no object is accidental, and we paid extra special attention to detail. A large but neat wardrobe with original massive bronze knobs is made from blue eucalyptus. This type of furniture can be seen in classical or even luxury interiors, but here it makes the brutalist interior come alive, and adds a cosy touch.

Lady’s bedroom
When we enter the female space we are almost transported into another world. Its contrast bordering on camp. The bedroom is very different from all the other spaces in this apartment. The interior is markedly delicate, completed in a pearl palette. Decorative panels by the bed painted in eastern style, mirrored bedside tables, elegant chandelier and the headboard – everything is completed in purely classic style. Soft tones built on nuances and various textures are chosen entirely client’s taste. This room faces the sunniest side of the building and is almost constantly full of light. This positioning also made us treat this area differently.

It is surprising that although all of the stylistic solutions were made in close collaboration with the client, the overall interior turned out to be very male and very Brutalist. Only in the lady’s bedroom everything is very elegant and delicate. This indicates that this lady was creating the interior thinking about the men in the family. She was tuned into them, only allowing things that resonated with her to exist in her own private space.