How a Gloomy Stalin-Era 62 m² Apartment Was Transformed Into a Bright Modern Flat

In this 62 m² apartment, it was necessary not only to accommodate everything needed but also to style the space. Designer Marina Merenkova preserved the parquet, cornices, and high ceilings, yet transformed the dwelling from gloomy and old into bright and modern.

LOCATION: MoscowAREA: 62 sq. mROOMS: 2BATHROOMS: 1CEILING HEIGHT: 2.95 mBUDGET: up to 3 million rublesDESIGNER: Marina Merenkova
Layout

The original layout was no different from the typical 'Stalinist' one — a tiny kitchen with a narrow entrance and a large gloomy hallway. The designer left the kitchen with a window in its original place, as well as created a comfortable bedroom, wardrobe, and living room with zones for cinema, yoga, and work.

A door with a glass panel and a kitchen unit without upper cabinets were installed on one side of the kitchen. This visually expands and lightens the space.

Finishing

Walls in the apartment were painted everywhere, except for the bathroom — there ceramic tiles Terrazzo and ceramic tiles were laid. The ceiling in the bathroom was made black, which added intimacy to the setting.

The bright kitchen was complemented with accent floor tiles with a pattern.

Furniture and Decor

The space was enriched with ethnic accents — posters with plants, macramé with woven elements, and African masks.

The entrance area was decorated with a shoe rack, a pouf, and a poster collage.