Watercolor Apartment for a Young Family with a Maine Coon

  • Size: 66 m²
  • Type: Two-bedroom apartment
  • Years: 2023–2024
  • Location: Moscow
  • Features: Compact kitchen-living room, reconfigured layout, pet-friendly design
  • Chief Designer: Karen Karapetian
  • Designer: Iuliia Ubozhenko
  • Engineers: Konstantin Prokhorov, Oleg Mokrushnikov, Liubov Kotelnikova
  • Head of Purchasing: Ekaterina Bainakova
  • Head of Finishing: Karen Nikoian, Evgenii Bridnya
  • Stylist: Kira Prokhorova
  • Photographer: Olga Karapetian

The Alexander Tischler design company, led by chief designer Karen Karapetian, crafted a cozy and functional apartment tailored for a young couple planning to expand their family. The brief included creating a well-lit space with natural tones, a dedicated kids’ room, and features to accommodate their Maine Coon cat.

Design Process and Key Adjustments

The project began with a reimagining of the developer’s layout to improve flow and maximize space. The master bedroom was relocated, and the children’s room was placed adjacent to the kitchen-living room. Additionally, the wall between these two spaces was shortened to enhance openness and utility.

Creative Solutions for Small Spaces

Kitchen-Living Room

  • Pet-Friendly Integration: Lower kitchen cabinets extend to the window, doubling as a TV stand and a cat house. Round cutouts in the façade allow the cat to relax nearby.
  • Airy Design: Upper cabinets were minimized to prevent overcrowding.
  • Functional Furniture: Despite limited space, the area includes a dining table for four and a comfortable sofa. Oak-textured panels and lighting accentuate the wall behind the sofa.

Kids’ Room

  • Storage: A ceiling-high closet features colorful, ball-shaped handles.
  • Decor: Custom seamless wallpaper adorns the wall behind the crib, complemented by balloon-like pendant lights.
  • Future-Proofing: The room is designed to evolve, with enough space to swap the crib for a bed as the child grows.

Parents’ Bedroom

  • Crib-Ready: Space beside the bed accommodates a crib for the baby’s early months. Soft headboard panels conceal sockets and feature built-in lighting.
  • Vanity Area: Across from the bed, a vanity table with a drawer and mirror provides additional functionality.
  • Shower Room: Glossy emerald tiles add a luxurious touch, paired with light furniture and brass accessories. A tall cabinet houses the washer and dryer.

Bathroom and Hallway

  • Guest Bathroom: Features a blend of tiles with oriental patterns and sandstone textures, paired with brass-trimmed fixtures.
  • Hallway: The same tiles connect the hallway to the bathroom, while a hanging cabinet with a shoe box and a large mirror enhance practicality. The redesigned front door blends seamlessly with the walls, and a concealed litter box accommodates the Maine Coon.

A Bright and Functional Space

This “watercolor” interior is tailored to provide comfort year-round, even during Moscow’s grey winters. With thoughtful details and custom solutions, the apartment meets the needs of its future family while ensuring a harmonious and stylish atmosphere.

Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian
Photography © Olga Karapetian

Posted by Maya

Maja Markovski is an architect and the founder of ArchitectureArtDesigns.com, a leading platform dedicated to inspiring creativity and innovation in architecture and design. Through insightful, well-researched content, Maja aims to foster a deeper understanding of how architecture and design shape the world, offering both practical advice and thought-provoking artistic perspectives for professionals, students, and design enthusiasts.