Houzz Tour: An Ingenious Revamp Completely Reinvents a Small Flat
With no structural alterations, this designer transformed a dingy little studio into a light and lovely home
When the young owner bought this studio apartment – located in a 1970s building just outside Moscow, Russia – she knew she wanted to refresh its dated décor and envisaged a bright, functional interior filled with memories of her beloved France.
The owner called in designer Rustem Urazmetov to help her with the project. He found a way to transform the studio without changing the original layout, utilising an all-white palette complemented by colour accents inspired by avant-garde art, which the owner loves.
The building’s structure made it too difficult to change the layout of the apartment. The home is in a 1970s concrete slab building, and the main room and kitchen are separated by a load-bearing wall, so there wasn’t much leeway for changes to the layout.
At first, they thought about making the bathroom bigger by borrowing space from the hallway, but this was quickly abandoned, as it would have required permits, but not presented a significant improvement.
At first, they thought about making the bathroom bigger by borrowing space from the hallway, but this was quickly abandoned, as it would have required permits, but not presented a significant improvement.
Urazmetov’s design centres on contrasts – right from the apartment’s entrance. The floor is tiled in a black-and-white pattern, juxtaposed against snow-white walls and the white doors of the cupboards.
As well as a section for outerwear and shoes, the custom-made unit provides space for a washing machine and a water heater.
As well as a section for outerwear and shoes, the custom-made unit provides space for a washing machine and a water heater.
The owner spends little time at home – only in the evenings after work – and doesn’t have many guests over at one time. In addition, a comfortable bed was a priority, so a sofa-bed was out of the question.
The room was zoned into bedroom, office and storage areas. The white colour scheme and white custom-made furniture, which runs along two walls of the room, tie the space together.
The room was zoned into bedroom, office and storage areas. The white colour scheme and white custom-made furniture, which runs along two walls of the room, tie the space together.
Almost all of the furniture was custom-made for the project. Much of it was placed in one long line, starting with the headboard. It incorporates a “floating” bed and hanging bedside tables at one end, turns into a bench by the window, and concludes with a compact work station and storage system. It’s made of laminated particleboard.
The headboard protrudes into the room and doubles as a handy shelf where the owner displays photos from France.
Feeling inspired? Find a local professional on Houzz to help you create your own dream home.
Feeling inspired? Find a local professional on Houzz to help you create your own dream home.
The piano is the only item the owner brought to the apartment from her previous home. Thanks to its colour and minimalist design, it fits nicely into the rest of the space.
The new wardrobe occupies the same space, but now stretches from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. As its doors are the same colour as the walls, it doesn’t look too bulky.
LED strips set into the ceiling are the main light source. They use up only 35mm of ceiling height – which had to be levelled anyway, as the ceiling panels were uneven.
Before renovations, the ceiling was only about 2.6m high. The chandeliers were removed, and now a sole pendant light serves as an accent above the bedside table.
LED strips set into the ceiling are the main light source. They use up only 35mm of ceiling height – which had to be levelled anyway, as the ceiling panels were uneven.
Before renovations, the ceiling was only about 2.6m high. The chandeliers were removed, and now a sole pendant light serves as an accent above the bedside table.
Drawers under the reading nook provide extra storage. The radiator didn’t get in the way, as it was positioned under the desk. An LED strip was also placed on the dropped ceiling here.
The walls were painted white, and the cabinets and worktop were selected to match. A significant portion of the budget went into the kitchen. The cabinet fronts were custom-made in enamelled MDF, and the worktop in engineered stone. The kitchen cost around £4,800 (400,000 rubles), including appliances.
The splashback features contrasting tiles in a geometric pattern, which resembles avant-garde art. A table for two to three people stands by the window – this was the best layout for the 7 sq m kitchen.
The table is intended to be a continuation of the kitchen counter and is even made of the same material, though it stands slightly lower in order to fit below the window.
The table is intended to be a continuation of the kitchen counter and is even made of the same material, though it stands slightly lower in order to fit below the window.
Along with the finishes and décor, the layout of the bathroom fixtures has been changed. Instead of a small basin, Urazmetov managed to win back enough space for a fully-fledged vanity unit for storing cosmetics and cleaning products.
The bathroom’s interior echoes the adjacent hallway, with the same black-and-white tiles on the floor and accent wall.
The bathroom’s interior echoes the adjacent hallway, with the same black-and-white tiles on the floor and accent wall.
Rustem Urazmetov in the finished interior
Tell us…
What do you like best about this tiny home? Let us know in the Comments section.
Tell us…
What do you like best about this tiny home? Let us know in the Comments section.
Who lives here? A young woman
Location Just outside Moscow, Russia
Size About 345 sq ft (32 sq m)
Interior designer Rustem Urazmetov
Budget About £30,000 (2.5 million rubles)
Photos by Alexander Volodin