Neo Art Deco Revival

Photography by Andriy Bezuglov

Aisel Kononenko projected a twostory house in a picturesque Kyiv suburb, with a view of the Dnipro Bay for a big family.

The owners are a married couple originally from Lviv that has three adult children who live separately and often come to visit their parents. The family gathers there on family and religious holidays to share the joy of important events and spend time together. For the past twenty years, they lived in a house with a classic interior. Moving into a new 387 m² home with modern architecture, the couple wanted to create a contemporary space that reflects their character. The house owners do not like cold gray shades, black, and 'rectangular German minimalism.' They prefer a warm sandy palette and a combination of expressive marble and brass textures against a neutral light background. The couple are art lovers and have a collection of paintings and sculptures by contemporary Ukrainian authors. It was essential to fit these works into the interior.

On the house's ground floor, there are public areas and a guest bedroom for the grandmother. The rest of the living quarters, such as the master bedroom and guest rooms with their wardrobes and bathrooms, are on the first floor.The through element is a thin brass line. It passes through the wall's surface in the hall, emphasizes the modern geometry of the space, and continues as an inlay on the facade of the sliding doors and kitchen facades. Another detail characteristic of Art Deco is a narrow insert of black marble on the parquet.

The owner is a bright and charismatic person. I wanted to show her energy and character in the space through accent details and bold combinations. As a result, we came up with a classic palette of materials that fit into the modern geometry of the house. The compromise between tradition and modernity was the interior with art deco elements.

The primary palette of the project includes natural materials. These are different types of marble with active textures, noble brass, and wood shades. The rounded lines of upholstered furniture and the delicate interspersing of patterns in textiles balance massive elements. The combination of glossy marble and brass shine with matte plaster makes the surfaces visually more complex.

The massive wardrobe in the dining area has a brass facade, which visually supports the tone of the space. The large wine cabinet with an individual design was inserted in the middle. That manifests the hobby of the homeowners' daughter and her husband, who are oenophiles and collect wines. In the center, a black dining table is surrounded by white 562 Dudet armchairs by Cassina, designed by Patricia Urquiola. Strongly referencing the design of the 70s, they give a soft and comfortable look thanks to their welcoming curves. In the kitchen we find an equally clean design where everything is 'hidden' without interfering with minimalism and elegance. Above the marble island was hung a Roche Bobois brass light fixture that matches the handles and trim of the custom Woodsystems kitchen cabinet.

Our cooperation resulted in the interior itself and a certain transformation of the clients' aesthetic outlook. We moved away from the classics they are used to living towards modern forms and found new solutions that the clients embraced and loved.

Each room has its accents. Grandma's bedroom on the ground floor is the lightest and most neutral. The antique icon above the bed was brought by the clients from their native Lviv. The shades of red in the upholstery of Cassina’s armchair along with the additional pillows echo the Byzantine palette of the icon. The light marble in the bathroom also has burgundy veins. While the green marble sink contrasts with it, adding Italian charm to the interior. A shower was included separated by a transparent glass wall that also allows to see the wall-mounted tub - a very interesting choice to give continuity to the environment.

Going up the stairs, on the right we find the wing dedicated to the couple with the master suite, walk-in closets and bathroom. The large custom-made bed in the owners' bedroom combines the geometric ornament on its curved headboard with a floral pattern of pillows. The bed is positioned towards a view of the slopes of the Dnipro Bay. Another exciting element of the room is a wave-shaped openwork screen by Cassina, accompanied by &Tradition’s side table featuring an oval base in Emperador Marble.

On the opposite side of the floor, we find another bedroom with an adjoining bathroom. The designer has added a few touches of color to the neutral tones. The cushions reflect the pastel shades of blue and pink of the paintings hanging above the bed. The chair and pouf by Minotti in moss green shades integrate perfectly with the interior of the room.