While the approval process was underway, we found out we were expecting a daughter. So instead of a lounge area in the space of the attached balcony, a cozy nursery corner was created. The renovation took almost nine months, and throughout that time my middle son and I helped my spouse.
The main color of the walls is dark. It’s a decorative microcement plaster that was covered with two layers of yacht varnish on top. As a result, the walls are not only beautiful and pleasant to the touch but also practical—thanks to the varnish, they can be washed.
In the hallway, part of the walls is covered with metal — this was also ordered custom-made to fit the space. The metal sheets were cut and riveted to a plywood base. We installed the metal ourselves, and filled the seams with red paint to match the color of the kitchen faucets. The children attached games using magnets to this wall and left messages for each other — it was truly a great solution for our family.
We bought a door overlay for the entrance door at a sale as well, added door frames to it, and painted it black gloss paint.
We decided to use regular plumbing pipes for the lighting. In fact, when we went to the store where they could be purchased, we specifically looked for the rustiest ones. We cleaned them and coated them with lacquer — it gives a very atmospheric look. To soften the industrial style, we added classic ceiling and floor baseboards, painting them black.
Among the ready-made furniture, we only have the kitchen, which we bought at IKEA — it cost 300 thousand rubles. The “apron” is actually gypsum board disguised as brick, laid intentionally unevenly to create the effect of old masonry. It was then covered with paint designed for damp areas.
The main wall in the kitchen was painted black chalk paint — it’s an excellent solution: people can leave notes for each other, holiday greetings, and simple kind words. Another kitchen innovation is the kitchen garden: wooden structures intended for growing a real garden.
We tried to save money on everything without compromising quality or the interior design. The rest of the furniture was custom-made in Slantse based on our sketches with Roman, made of metal and welded by hand. The most difficult part was moving the shelves, especially in the hallway. For the storage room, we installed wheels on the shelves.
The furniture for my son’s room was also custom-made. The bed was placed on a platform: since my older son sometimes visits on weekends, a pull-out section with a mattress is built underneath to serve as an additional sleeping area.
Pay attention to the video:
The walls in the shower area were covered with microconcrete and lacquer, and artificial plants with lighting were placed on them — this creates a tropical feel even in the shower.
In the sink area, old planks found at a country house were used. They were cleaned, sanded, coated with lacquer, and secured to the wall, complemented by mirrors.
We have lived in this apartment for five years, and during that time we never wanted to change anything. In terms of cost, 2 million rubles were spent by the time the renovation was completed in 2018. It’s a significant amount, but the interior, in my opinion, looks expensive and unique — it was worth it. Unfortunately, we had to leave the apartment due to a move to St. Petersburg.
