Project name: Landscape Alley
Interior design: Yana Molodykh
Location: Kyiv (UA)
Photo: Yevhenii Avramenko
Area: 73 m²
Year: 2024
Project description from design firms Yana Molodykh
Clients
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. Within one month, she may visit Sydney and New York, make a brief stop in Europe, and return to Dubai, where her family resides — her son and husband, who 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.
Location
After a long search, their final choice 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 sought-after 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, offering a panoramic view of Podil and the left bank of Kyiv. It 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.
This small apartment once belonged to Felix Lvovych, who emigrated with his family to America 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. Felix had hoped to leave the apartment to his grandson, which is why, despite being listed in real estate agencies for quite some time, he couldn’t bring himself to let it go. He waited for the right buyer until he met owners and realized that she was the person he could trust with his cherished gem. As a farewell to his hometown and apartment, Felix personally gave them a tour of the historic sites around the building, sharing stories of his active involvement in its renovation and showing them his favorite spots on Landscape Alley.
From the old interior, only one chair has survived the entire renovation process. It is currently being restored, and we named it in honor of Felix Lvovych to preserve a piece of the previous owner’s memory in the apartment.
Request
The small apartment, with a total area of 73 square meters but boasting a ceiling height of 4 meters, was in a dilapidated state, as the last renovation had taken place back in the 1960s. Yana, the designer, was tasked with creating a two-bedroom apartment with a walk-in closet and the maximum amount of storage space. The clients fully trusted her with the design, granting her complete creative freedom.
The respectable age of the building dictated the classical architecture of the apartment (we even managed to create a symbolic enfilade of rooms). 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 apartments, the chic of French apartments, and the retro mood of Milan. The apartment is decorated with masterpieces by Ukrainian art classics, custom-made furniture, exquisite French textiles, as well as vintage and designer pieces from renowned brands.
Design
The location and architecture dictated the style of the interior — hence the tall doors, classic parquet floors, and plaster moldings. In the son’s room, we 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.
The apartment’s area is relatively small, but we managed to create a layout that met the clients’ requirements: two bedrooms, a walk-in closet, and plenty of storage space.
Art collection
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 and are preserved in museums.
Above the sofa, there are two pieces by one of the most famous Ukrainian contemporary artists, Anatoliy Kryvolap: “Horse” (2005), “Silence” (2007), and “Summer Morning on the Lake” (2014). Additionally, there are two works by Marfa Tymchenko, a master of Petrykivka painting: “Mother” (1993) and “Flowers, My Flowers” (1996).
Living room
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 made of walnut.
In the central walnut arch hangs Oleksandr Babak’s painting “Still Life. Flowers” (2016). Originally, a TV was meant to go in this spot, but as the art was being arranged in the apartment (a collection curated during the renovation), 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.
The ceiling is adorned with an elegant vintage Murano glass chandelier by Venini, while above the Edra Standard sofa, the ‘Iconic G1 by Sammode’ light fixture is mounted. The coffee table is by &Tradition, featuring a vintage Ukrainian cobalt vase made from blown glass, along with a hand-painted jewelry box by Italian artist Filippo Carandini. Nearby is a Glass Italia side table and the ‘Warm Nordic Fried Egg by Hans Olsen’ armchair. The room is complemented by a Muuto rug and decorative cushions made from Misia Paris and Lamaison Pierre Frey fabrics.
Dining group
On the table by Calligaris, there is a vintage marble horse and a vintage crystal champagne bucket by Cristallerie de Lorraine filled with a bouquet. The chairs are by Norr 11, and above the table hangs a Pholc pendant light. Between the windows behind the table, an antique French mirror adorns the wall. The windows are dressed with 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.
Boy’s bedroom
The main request from the clients was for a large sleeping area, so I came up with a sofa bed featuring an orthopedic mattress 140 cm wide. The ceiling and walls are decorated with a replica of plaster molding from a house built in 1923.
The clients initially wanted to keep a wardrobe from the previous owner, but careless builders damaged it during dismantling, so we had to abandon the idea. That was until I discovered a 1960s wardrobe on the Lviv-based online platform ‘Repluse Star’, which specializes in finding and restoring historical pieces. This wardrobe subconsciously inspired me to create the sofa bed. Only after seeing the restored wardrobe next to the sofa did I realize that its wavy facade and lacquered finish were reflected in the form and material of the sofa, with its bent cherry veneer backrest under lacquer.
Above the sofa hangs a painting by the Ukrainian folk artist in the naïve art genre, Maria Prymachenko, titled “Beast Smelling Flowers” from 1993. Another painting by her, “Flowers in a Vase” from 1993, is placed above the wardrobe. Maria Prymachenko is one of the most prominent figures in Ukrainian art, with her work becoming a symbol of the national spirit. Her pieces are an outstanding example of naïve art and have left a deep impact on the development of Ukrainian culture, inspiring contemporary artists and collectors around the world.
The sofa is upholstered in Misia Paris velvet. The curtains, throw, and decorative pillows are also made from Misia Paris and La Maison Pierre Frey fabrics. Beside the sofa, there is a wall light by ‘Valerie Objects’, a hanging light by ‘HARTO’, a side table by ‘Mooooi’, and an ‘Elefant Norr 11’ armchair.
Master bedroom
The 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’.
Above the bed hangs a painting by the classic Ukrainian Yosyp Bokshay, “Autumn Warmth” (1928), and above the console, there’s a landscape painting by another Ukrainian classic, Albert Erdeli, titled “Landscape with Water”, from the early 1930s.
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 table lamp, mirror, and floor lamp are all by ‘Gubi’.
Dressing room
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’.
Bathroom
The bathroom ceiling conceals the control unit for the recuperation system, while the cabinet houses the water purification system, washing machine, and boiler. 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 a light fixture by ‘Astep’. To the left, a round wall sconce by ‘Seletti’ adds a touch of elegance. The tiles and mosaic are from ‘Vallelunga’.
Corridor
The walls are painted in ‘Argille’ paint. The tiles are from ‘Marazzi’. The pendant lights are by ‘Muuto’. A vintage brass and plexiglass coat rack adds a unique touch. The mirror is from ‘Glass Italia’, and above it hangs a wall sconce by ‘Nuura Lighting’. The bench is the ‘Le Roi’ by ‘NORR11’, and the artwork above the bench is rare painting “Spring is Coming” (1993) by Hanna Samarska.
