Renovation Without a Designer: 7 Great Ideas from a Stalin-era Apartment, 36 m²

This small apartment located in a Moscow house built in the 1950s has become a true embodiment of style, comfort and creativity. Actress and film star Ekaterina Lastochkina lives here with her dog. Ekaterina personally arranged the interior, giving it a unique character. We show several ideas from this project that deserve your attention.

Key feature of the apartment (29 minutes) Beautiful color scheme

A soft beige tone became the perfect background for the interior. A contrasting terracotta color brought brightness and enlivened the overall palette, while blue accents added depth and character.

Functional windowsill

The kitchen windowsill serves a dual purpose: it acts as a convenient table for quick snacks, and the niche underneath is painted in an accent blue color and transformed into a unique mini-bar. This solution is perfect for limited space as it provides additional storage and usage opportunities.

Cast iron stove

A round cast iron stove in the living room not only serves a decorative function but also helps cover the heating pipe. The fire in the stove and logs create a very warm atmosphere, adding a touch of originality and individuality to the interior. This solution is ideal for cold winter evenings.

French-style windows

Windows in French style add sophistication and charm to the space. Against light walls, they look very expressive, allowing natural light to freely enter and creating an atmosphere of lightness and airiness.

Stylish glass blocks

Between the bedroom and living room, Ekaterina installed a window made of blue glass blocks that soften the daylight, creating a cozy atmosphere. This solution is not only original but also functional — it allows for an elegant division of space without reducing its volume.

Expressive details

An original accent in the kitchen was a portrait of Karl Marx. Ekaterina decided to unite it with the rest of the apartment's atmosphere by making a burgundy background and painting part of the portrait in the same color. On Marx's shirt, blue dots appeared, and he also got an earring in his ear, adding uniqueness and humor.

Blue bathroom

The bathroom turned out to be very cozy, stylish and functional. The rich blue tone, crystal chandelier and wall sconce, vintage vanity table with velvet drapery make the room look like a full-fledged comfortable space.

Thus, even in a small space you can create a cozy and stylish interior without the help of a professional designer. These ideas can be adapted and used in any home, regardless of its size or architectural features.