Before/After: From a Gloomy Stalin-era Apartment to a Cozy, Bright Interior

This two-room apartment in a Stalin-era building was long in a deplorable state: Soviet wallpaper, built-in shelves, and worn-out parquet created an atmosphere of neglect. For the owner, who grew up in this house, it was not just housing but an important part of her life. Therefore, the designer Ekaterina Sirotkina faced the challenge of making the space bright and sunny, letting in fresh air while preserving the spirit of the era, which, although faded, still embodied an entire epoch.

Location: Moscow
Area: 64 m²
ceiling Height: 3 m
Number of Rooms: 2
Bathroom: 1
Budget: 6 million rubles
Design: Ekaterina Sirotkina

Kitchen before renovation

Kitchen before renovation

Entrance before renovation

Entrance before renovation

Room before renovation

Room before renovation

Bathroom before renovation

Bathroom before renovation

All for the garden and lawn

5200+ stylish products

Entrance after renovation

The first step was removing the built-in shelves and wardrobes in the hallway, which allowed for leveling the spatial axes and making the space more open. This decision enabled light to freely enter even the darkest corners of the apartment.

Since the space was meant to remain open, traditional wardrobes were not installed. All necessary items were placed in the wardrobe, and the entrance area was enhanced with a floor-standing coat rack for outerwear and a dresser.

Kitchen after renovation

The kitchen remained in its original location but was improved: the non-functioning waste pipe was removed and the gas pipe adjusted for better aesthetics and ease of installing wall-mounted cabinets. The kitchen now includes all necessary appliances: built-in refrigerator, dishwasher, two-burner stove, oven, and microwave. Each element was carefully planned and custom-made to ensure maximum ergonomics.

Rooms after renovation

Engineered wood flooring was used, additionally coated with oil to preserve texture and protect it. Walls and ceiling were painted in light colors. To maximize natural light and create a sense of spaciousness, a high opening with a window was created in the kitchen, and sliding doors with relief glass were installed in the living room. This approach allowed sunlight to spread throughout the apartment, creating a feeling of openness.

The bedroom was completely transformed: walls and ceiling were painted in light tones, a wide bed with a soft headboard was installed, and accent textiles were selected. A cozy workspace near the window was organized, which can also be used as a vanity table.

A key element of the design was vintage lighting. For example, in the bedroom, there is a famous chandelier called 'Dandelion,' and a variety of vintage furniture adds uniqueness to the interior. The collages by artist Alexei Kazachenko became the highlight of the project.

About the bathroom

In the bathroom, a washing machine was installed, and stylish storage cabinets were provided for convenience. The flooring features complex-shaped ceramic tiles from ceramic granite, connected with painted walls that immediately draw attention. The cozy textiles bring freshness and comfort to the space.

This renovation project took seven months and was made possible through the coordinated efforts with trusted contractors. The result is a cozy, modern, and bright space where every detail has been carefully considered.

Layout

Would you like your project to be published on our website? Please send photos of the interior to wow@inroom.ru.