Moscow Apartment of Basta by Blockstudio

Blockstudio, Apartment Of Basta, Moscow Home, Photo Mikhail Loskutov | Yellowtrace

Blockstudio-designed Apartment of Basta sits nestled within a quiet street of downtown Moscow. The studio speaks of the client’s desire to recreate the ambience of a Parisian flat they once lived in, explaining that the windows that perfectly frame Moscow’s winding streets, transported them back to Paris. So they went on to devise a scheme that contains the essence of the Parisian aesthetic without discrediting the modern building the apartment sits within.

The one thing that stands out when moving through this interior is the meticulous attention to detail and the impeccable craftsmanship. Seemingly simple pieces of joinery bring endless touches of elegance and sophistication.

One such moment occurs in the kitchen when a solid marble island bench begins to fold inward allowing space for a single person to sit comfortably under its chunky frame. The chamfered edges may seem like a humble intervention however, the impression it leaves is one of pure beauty. This attention to detail continues into the bathroom where a curving counter softly emerges from the wall. Instead of handles, small grooves are cut into the timber base creating a sleek, contemporary finish we love. The subtle juxtaposition between the warm timber and the polished surface of marble creates a special moment for an everyday activity – washing hands.

Oak parquet flooring unfolds like a golden carpet wrapping its way throughout the apartment. Stained a deep brown shade, it acts as the perfect counterbalance to a scheme that is dominated by light colours. Blockstudio has avoided an open-plan layout, instead intentionally separating the dining and kitchen areas to create a more traditional feel. A brass-framed glass partition sits at the threshold, its delicate structure bringing a new voice to the otherwise solid language of the kitchen.

In a largely neutral scheme, art becomes the main source of colour, bringing with it the unique personality of the occupants. “The furniture and lighting have been selected so as it highlights the juxtaposition of textures and materials that are diverse in colour and feel,” Blockstudio outline. “But the main focus of the space is on the paintings and collector’s design pieces. While some of them come from the hostess’ collection, others have been sourced from a Moscow AlinaPinsky Gallery and carefully selected to add to the feeling of transcendence of time and space.”