Art Collection

Photography by Yevhenii Avramenko

Yana Molodykh completed the interior design of a 73 m² apartment with a panoramic view of Podil and the left bank of Kyiv for a Dubai-based family.

A family couple, Ukrainian and Dutchman, live and work in Dubai. She holds the position of HR lead at a large international company, and her job requires constant travel. While he works remotely, and where her company’s regional office is based. The family has chosen Kyiv as their primary residence, and this choice is no coincidence: man is in love with the city, its people, and its atmosphere, while woman, deeply connected to her homeland, also wants to leave a legacy for their son on their native land so that he never forgets his roots. After a long search, the final choice of the family fell on an apartment in a building from 1911. It is located in the so-called 'Golden Triangle' an area where the princes of Kyivan Rus once lived. Today, this area has become one of the most soughtafter by creative people and a favorite spot for both Kyiv residents and visitors to the city. The building stands on the slope of Annalistic Hill and is situated in the pedestrian zone of Landscape Alley, a place adored by many for its unique topography, stunning views, lush greenery, and proximity to significant architectural landmarks.

As the last renovation had taken place back in the 1960s, the apartment remained preserved, filled with memories of Soviet times, including all the furniture and lighting fixtures from that era, until it was eventually sold. The respectable age of the building dictated the classical architecture of the apartment. At the same time, the interior is a rich mix of styles and eras, ranging from Belle Époque and Art Deco to mid-century modern and brutalism. The interior blends the classic pre-war Kyiv flats, the chic of French apartments, and the retro mood of Milan. The space is decorated with masterpieces by Ukrainian art classics, custom-made furniture, exquisite French textiles, as well as vintage and designer pieces from renowned brands.

In the central walnut arch hangs Oleksandr Babak’s painting 'Still Life. Flowers'. Originally, a TV was meant to go in this spot, but as the art was being arranged in the apartment, the painting naturally found its place, as did every artwork in the home, each choosing its own perfect spot. The owners eventually decided to prioritize art over the idea of a television.

In the corridor, we find Marazzi tiles and pendant lights by Muuto. A vintage brass and plexiglass coat rack adds a unique touch. Above the Glass Italia‘s mirror Yana included Nuura’s wall sconce. On the opposite side, the bench by NORR11 and the rare painting ‘Spring is Coming’ (1993) by Hanna Samarska complete the space. In the living room, the designer opted for the Edra Standard sofa and the coffee table from &Tradition that features a vintage cobalt vase made from blown glass and a hand-painted jewelry box by Italian artist Filippo Carandini. Nearby there are Glass Italia’s side table and Warm Nordic’s Fried Egg armchair by Hans Olsen. The art collection in this apartment deserves special attention. It features works by some of the most renowned contemporary Ukrainian artists, whose creations have become part of Ukraine's cultural heritage. The room is complemented by Muuto rug and decorative cushions made from Misia Paris and Lamaison Pierre Frey fabrics.

Next to the living area, we find the dining zone: on the table by Calligaris, there is a vintage marble horse and a vintage crystal vase from Cristallerie de Lorraine filled with bouquet. The chairs are by NORR11, while the minimalistic Pholc pendant light hangs above the table. Between the windows, an antique French mirror adorns the wall. Furthermore, the windows are dressed in embroidered Lizzo fabric curtains, and on the windowsill sits a sculpture by renowned artist Nazar Bilyk. Near the balcony door stands another sculpture: 'Sea Nymph' by Andriy Lypovka.

The small kitchen, made from walnut veneer and quartzite, is hidden behind floating panels painted to match the walls, creating a more intimate atmosphere when the panels close off the kitchen nook. Behind the arched facades are shelves and drawers that store vintage dishes and accessories, carefully selected online with the help of an expert from antique markets and local auction houses on the Côte d'Azur during the renovation. The ceiling, walls, and doors are painted with French Argile paint, while the floor is covered with Versailles modular parquet.

The master bedroom is richly decorated with natural textiles from the French house ‘La Maison Pierre Frey’. The curtains, pillows, duvet, and throw blanket are all crafted from this luxurious fabric. The Viennese curtain on the window and the drapes on the closet doors are also by a French brand, with embroidered details from Elitis. The walls, ceiling and woodwork are painted in Argile French paint. The bed was custom-designed and covered with poplar root veneer. Marble side tables are by Llab.design, wall sconces by Visual Comfort, while the pendant light and chair are from Normann Copenhagen. The rug is from Massimo Copenhagen, and the console is by 101 Copenhagen. The back wall of the walk-in closet is adorned with French wallpaper from Papermint Paris. The closet doors are embellished with handcrafted brass frog-shaped handles by Bronzetto.

Above the bed, I have included the classic style painting by Yosyp Bokshay: ‘Autumn Warmth’ (1928).

In the son’s room, Yana recreated the moldings that were discovered in one of my previous projects during a renovation. They were hidden behind a drywall ceiling in a 1913 building from the Kyiv Modern period. Here, the designer created the sofa bed: wavy facade and lacquered finish were reflected in the form and material of the sofa, with its bent cherry veneer backrest under lacquer.

The bathroom ceiling conceals the control unit for the recuperation system, while the cabinet houses the water purification system and washing machine. The vanity and niches in the shower are custom-made from marble by Llab.design. The mirrored cabinet with brass accents was designed to the designer's specifications. Above the cabinet, there’s Astep’s light fixture. To the left, the round wall sconce by Seletti adds a touch of elegance. The tiles and mosaic are from Vallelunga.