Before and After: How They Transformed the Kitchen in a 'Killed' Stalin-era Apartment

The designer Elena Kharlava was faced with the task of updating communications and finishes while preserving the spirit of the old apartment. We tell you in detail about the kitchen where everything necessary for comfortable living was arranged, making it stylish and functional.

Kitchen before renovation

At the beginning of the redesign, the kitchen looked gloomy, dirty, and dull. The space needed a complete update.

Kitchen after renovation

For the walls in the new interior, a refreshing light tone was chosen. Laminate "tree" was laid on the floor. The entrance to the kitchen was moved from the hallway into the living room — this solution made the space more functional and improved its ergonomics.

The corner cabinet was custom-made — this allowed maximizing the use of the room's area. Upper cabinets were placed only on one wall. According to the designer, narrow vertical fronts might seem unfunctional at first glance. However, they were chosen for visual effect as this is a focal point.

The kitchen has all the necessary appliances for comfortable cooking: standalone refrigerator, dishwasher, 4-burner cooktop, range hood, built-in oven and microwave. For decoration, plants, and spice storage, a wooden shelf was provided. Wood texture adds warmth and coziness to the interior. The window between the kitchen and bathroom was preserved. It lets natural light into the small bathroom and maintains the spirit of the Stalin-era apartment.

The windowsill was widened to be used as a bar counter for quick snacks or as a convenient workspace. For this purpose, sockets were built into the window sills. Neutral kitchen finishes were brightened up with vibrant upholstery on bar stools.