Background for Art

Photography by Yevhenii Avramenko

Rina Lovko Design Studio transformed a 56 m² apartment located in the center of Kyiv into the gallerist’s residence.

The main actors in the apartment are the owner himself and the works of art that he studies. Since the owner does not live in the apartment permanently, his request was to have an appropriate office space as well as a place for rest, a functional kitchen, and a dressing area with a possibility to take care of clothing. The apartment being relatively small motivated the design team to make use of the existing meters very rationally and not to overcomplic ate the space with complex design. The windows face the same side, overlooking the historical center streets. The apartment is divided into an entrance, a large, combined living room-kitchen, and a separate bedroom with an open wardrobe section. Inside we find a cold grey colour scheme, but the atmosphere can be easily changed by adding new spots of attention and accessories, and the works of art by different authors will appear here often. The accent in the whole space is made of wood. Almost all the furniture that was used (the stool in the hall, the kitchen table and the bookshelves) were custom made for this project. In order not to make the level of ceiling lower the team decided to leave it concrete. For this reason, the designers did not hide the electrical wiring and changed the positioning of the air conditioner and ventilation system which can be controlled from the dedicated cabinet.

In the kitchen with a very simple and clean design, a hob with built-in hood has been used. To give a soft light point, above the wooden balcony in the kitchen, Lumina's Daphine wall lamp with a minimalist aesthetic was included. NORR11's bar stools complete this area.

The walls were hand painted with a paint containing a glass sand which contributes to the surface texture and a sensation of color depth. The wooden planks used for the floor once covered the granary walls. That is why it's possible to note the fragments’ different widths and the surfaces’ unique texture. The wood, which is about seventy years old was processed in the brushing technique. To accentuate this special texture, the designers made a color of the wood warmer by combining several tones of light and grey paint and worked the top layer manually.

In the living room Mags Soft sofa by HAY gives a milder, relaxed tone thanks to its rounded edges and soft cushions. Its low frame has a distinctly lounge feel, reinforced by the deep seats that make the atmosphere more open and welcoming. The painting 'White Relief' by the Ukrainian artist Mykola Kryvenko gives movement to the space. Next to it, a very minimalist work area was included consisting of a large wooden shelf that acts as a desk and a padded chair with armrests with a light and elegant profile.

The sliding bedroom door helps to use the space more efficiently. The solid double spring handles on satin black rosette by Formani have been integrated to enrich spaces and create a harmonious whole. The designers have chosen a bed by soft lines and square that make it a refined and contemporary for the bedroom. 'Lilac' artwork by Oleksandr Babak with its bright colors gives a touch of audacity. Next to the bedroom, delimited by a step, we find a wardrobe area and a freestanding bathtub. A sliding door leads to the bathroom which is also accessible from the corridor of the apartment. The walls and floor were coated by micro cement covering which creates the seamless effect. This idea prolongates in the rest of the objects. The wall cabinet with a hidden mirror is covered with the same micro cement, the color of sink made of artificial stone is in harmony with the walls. The contrasting elements are faucets which are matt black. Clean lines, geometric shapes and a single colour scheme make this bathroom an ideal space for relaxation and energy recovery.