Before and After: How a Blogger Transformed a Dilapidated Stalin-era Apartment

Renovating an old apartment is not an easy task. Doing it yourself, without re-planning or designer help, seems like a real challenge. But our heroine Lena Nikolaeva from St. Petersburg proved that even a 1953 Stalin-era flat can be transformed into a stylish, functional and modern space while preserving its historical atmosphere.

The 84 sq. m apartment became a cozy home for the whole family: Lena herself, her husband Ivan, son Mikhail, and their Cocker Spaniel Robin. We tell how she made it happen.

Lena Nikolaeva - Blogger, Apartment Owner

Room Tour (41 minutes)

Lena refused from re-planning right from the start to preserve the spirit of the Stalin-era flat. She developed the project independently, based on her own needs and aesthetics. The key was combining modern solutions with the atmosphere of the old flat.

High ceilings (3.2 m), original doors, and a 1930s antique cabinet were the starting point, and furniture and finishing harmoniously complemented them without overloading the space.

Stylish Kitchen

The kitchen retained its original layout with gas and a wet zone on opposite walls. Lena opted out of bulky upper cabinets in favor of open shelves. The island with sliding drawers became the key element: it serves as a workspace and provides storage space.

• Kitchen and countertop from IKEA — 110,000 RUB, with minimalist handles for 189 RUB.
• Sink made of artificial stone GranFest, and household appliances in white to match the apron.
• Floor — moisture-resistant laminate with Tarkett Ballet bevel in the shade of "Carmen", laid without thresholds.

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Cozy Living Room

The living room is a place for family gatherings. The centerpiece was vintage furniture: an antique sideboard restored by hand and a round table. Lena added modern accents — a coffee table and TV stand from IKEA.

Walls in light gray contrast beautifully with the dark gray corridor and kitchen, while green plants bring life to the interior.

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Vibrant Bedroom

"Blue walls — an experiment that turned out to be successful," Lena says. "I just decided: if I get bored, I’ll repaint." This color stands out against the overall gray-white palette of the apartment and creates a relaxing atmosphere.

A vibrant carpet and chandelier add decor, but without overdoing it. The curtain material was bought at the Apraksin Market, and the tailoring cost 5,000 RUB.

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Light Children's Room

The children’s room is a perfect example of how a light background helps organize space. Lena chose neutral wall colors to avoid visual clutter from toys and books.

A 1930s vintage cabinet became a bright accent. Lena restored it herself, adding drawers for clothes. The desk with the side table from IKEA was completed with a beech countertop coated with wax.

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Practical Bathroom

The bathroom renovation was a real challenge. Even the narrowest radiator model couldn't fit in the planned spot — it blocked the passage. In the end, they decided to install a towel warmer that serves as a heater but only works during the heating season. Due to the length of the bathtub (180 cm), a regular curtain was ineffective, so they chose a foldable one. For wall finishing, practical and durable ceramic granite was used.

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Lena admits that she always dreamed of living in a Stalin-era flat. The difficulties of renovation, searching for details, and restoring antique items were important parts of this journey. As a result, she got an apartment that reflects the individuality of its owner and respects the spirit of the home.

"Stalin-era flats with their atmosphere and possibilities are perfect spaces for creativity," Lena concludes.