6 Ideas from a Penthouse Apartment That Will Inspire Renovations

Penthouse apartments are rare, but they can give a sense of solemnity and light theatricality to everyday life. In Alla Kunitsyna's project in Saint Petersburg, the designer managed to preserve the historical charm of a 1904 building while filling the space with modern solutions.

Here, classical details coexist with minimalist furniture, and every room can be taken as inspiration for those considering renovating a historic apartment.

Make the kitchen bright if there are no windows

The kitchen is located in a corridor area without natural light, so the designer chose light cabinets. This solution immediately made the room feel more spacious and cozy, and a light background allows for playing with accessories — even with plenty of appliances and cabinets, the space doesn't feel cluttered.

Design: Alla Kunitsyna

Preserve and restore cornices

Instead of painting the old gypsum elements, the designer preserved their texture: in some places they were covered with primer, and in others treated with wax. Thanks to this, the cornices remained alive, with natural irregularities and cracks. This approach highlights history and adds individuality.

Design: Alla Kunitsyna

Leave the stove in an authentic form

In many old apartments, you can find ceramic or brick stoves. Here, the corner stove was restored and brought back to life: old paint layers were removed and it was simply waxed, preserving the terracotta texture. The stove became an accent in the bedroom and a reminder of the past.

Design: Alla Kunitsyna

Use furniture based on custom sketches

To achieve harmony, the designer created some furniture specifically for this apartment: dressers, beds and desks. This allowed her to fully consider the room dimensions and integrate furniture into the interior without overloading the space. Custom-made furniture makes the setting truly unique.

Design: Alla Kunitsyna

Add vintage accents

Even a modern interior wins when it is complemented with vintage elements. Here, old furniture and decor items create a sense of connection to history: they add depth and layers of time, which is very fitting in a historic home.

Design: Alla Kunitsyna

Make the bathroom grand

The bathroom doesn't look just functional, but almost like a living room for relaxation. A large bathtub, spacious shower and laundry area make the space comfortable, while a transparent partition and tiles add lightness. This approach demonstrates that a bathroom can be atmospheric rather than utilitarian, an ideal place to restore one's energy.

Design: Alla Kunitsyna

Every detail, from the texture of the cornices to the vintage dresser, contributes to the atmosphere. Most importantly, many of these solutions can be replicated in any apartment, inspired by the example of this Saint Petersburg penthouse.