Hamovniky Apartment in Moscow by Olga Malyeva Studio

“Perhaps there hasn’t been any other space that allowed me to think and evolve as a designer and creator more than this apartment”, says interior designer Olga Malyeva, who sits at the helm of an eponymous London- and Moscow-based studio. “The client was myself, as I did the project for my family.”

Originally, there were two independent apartments that Malyeva transformed into just one. Located in Moscow’s central district of Hamovniki, the spacious and bright space — thanks to high ceilings — features new volumes where comfort and tranquillity pervade.

“I love the area”, Malyeva confesses. “It is central but calm, with a mix of modern and old architecture. […] There are several parks nearby, as well as restaurants and farmers markets.”

Olga Malyeva Studio Hamovniky Apartment Moscow Luxury Interiors | Yellowtrace

Using her home as a creative laboratory, the interior designer took care of every detail of the architecture and decor in this three-bedroom apartment. She found a specific place for each object, striving to bring a minimalistic and contemporary interior to life with a colourful twist. The different hues and textures add a warm feeling and a harmonious flow throughout.

“After 10 years in the industry, I didn’t expect myself to become the most demanding client I’ve ever had”, remembers Malyeva. “My approach didn’t allow compromises.”

In addition to her own expectations, the interior designer also had to consider her children’s needs. For example, one of her kids wanted to have a bedroom in different shades of brown — a colour Malyeva doesn’t especially like and wouldn’t have chosen herself.

The big glass windows invite the urban landscape inside Malyeva’s home and combine with other materials such as marble. The interior designer filled her home with her favourite iconic and timeless pieces of furniture, including a Milo Baughman daybed, Warren Platner dining chairs, a Pierre Chapo T22 table and the legendary 292 Hill House 1 chairs by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, among many others.

She also included bespoke furniture which she designed and which was produced by artisans, such as wall installations (in the master bedroom, “Les Papillons”, made from handcrafted fused glass, imitates the silhouette of a butterfly); custom lighting (inspired by the ice crystals of Russia’s Lake Baikal, the pair of wall lights “Morceau de Glace” is sculptural); and expressive carpets.

“The works of art, carefully chosen from galleries and by artists around the world, create [some visual] accents that elevate the style, and give distinct character and playfulness”, Malyeva says.

“Iris” by Marc Quinn (Avant Arte gallery) and an aquamarine vase by Fabio Micucci (Ralph Pucci gallery) in the hallway, a metallic panel by Christopher Prinz (Patrick Parrish gallery), surrealist works by Oleg Oprisco, a stone sculpture by Alicja Podgorska Birkner (Balchug Gallery) and a piece by French photographer Antoine Verglas (Clic Gallery) are some of the elements that adorn the different rooms.

Here, 20th-century design pieces, contemporary art and made-to-measure furniture favour a fascinating visual dialogue. “In our new family home, I managed to oscillate between architectural purity and the display of treasures”, Malyeva concludes.