VSLKVSKA | A two-story apartment design

VSLKVSKA

Architects: Nataliia Stukonoh, Yuliia Udovydchenko3D artist: Yelyzaveta SchastlyvtsevaCreative supervision: Slava BalbekProject manager: Nadiia MartynovaProject area: 166 sq.mProject year: 2025Location: Kyiv, UkrainePhoto credits: Andriy Bezuglov

ABOUT | TASK | CONSTRUCTION | INTERIOR | FIRST FLOOR | SECOND FLOOR | TEAM

ABOUT

VSLKVSKA is an interior design project for a Kyiv apartment, created for a family of four and their two beloved cats. This two-level apartment offering panoramic views is located next to Holosiivskyi Park.

TASK

The clients, a creative couple, have a large collection of contemporary Ukrainian paintings, which we had to integrate organically into the interior. Their openness to color allowed us to enrich the space with vibrant accents. The cats were also a key part of the brief: we considered them when selecting every material, and tested each option for durability and practicality.

CONSTRUCTION

A coffered ceiling visually unites both floors. The structure is made of veneered MDF, with beams mounted on pre-installed brackets. The installation had to be coordinated with the contractor responsible for manufacturing the window treatments — FAMILY CO. textile studio. We had to provide embedded ceiling inserts for the curtain rods and power supply for the automated blinds and curtains.

The column opening was cut on-site with minimal clearance. During the structural planning, we also considered the full-height doors and second-floor windows, ensuring they could open freely. The ceilings of adjacent rooms were aligned with the height of the beams.

The staircase construction was also a multi-stage process: one contractor welded the metal frame, another produced the wooden treads, builders tiled the pedestal, and yet another specialist finished the steps with microcement.

Photo: Maryan Beresh

The team meticulously developed the documentation for all node points, which allowed us to manage complex structures and coordinate multiple contractors.

INTERIOR

Our design concept was guided by the phrase “Home is a place of strength and inspiration.” To highlight the clients’ creative lifestyle, we used color actively throughout the project. The interior features natural, raw materials arranged in expressive combinations. The mix of various textures and finishes, both rough and feely, makes the space cozy and visually engaging. At the same time, the ample floor area and expansive double-height windows bring in plenty of light and air.

Layout

To the left of the entrance are the walk-in closet, bathroom, and the first children’s bedroom. Straight ahead lies an open living room with an atrium and upper-level daylight, offering panoramic views of the city. To the right, in the corner of the living room, is the kitchen with a large dining table. From the living room, the staircase leads to the second floor and an open home-office area with two workstations. Opposite the stairs are a small bathroom and a laundry room that doubles as a utility space. To the right is the second children’s bedroom. Farther along, the corridor leads to the main bedroom: two separate walk-in closets, a bathroom, and a small upper lounge area.

FIRST FLOOR

To the right of the entrance is a wardrobe with rattan inserts. To ensure the cats wouldn’t scratch them, we made a sample of the façade and gave it to the clients for testing. The wardrobe is complemented by a mirror and a custom bench with a smooth, irregular shape. We added a small hideout for the cats beneath the bench-sofa to the left of the entrance.

The first level’s floor is finished with fractured Italian travertine supplied by Instech. The stone slabs were brought to the site and shaped on location to achieve the desired pattern – a long and meticulous process. Despite the natural coolness of the stone, underfloor heating keeps the floor warm and comfortable.

Living room

A tall column reaching the second-floor ceiling was part of the developer’s layout. We turned it into a key visual accent by cladding it with tiles. The installation took several weeks: we selected three tile formats, custom-cut to 30×6 cm, 15×3 cm, and 7×3 cm. In total, 1,477 pieces were used.

Kitchen

The cabinet block in the hallway visually extends into the kitchen, continuing as a wooden panel. The kitchen is designed in light tones. The countertop is made of acrylic – a durable and practical material suited to the clients’ love of cooking. The fronts are painted MDF, and the handles are by the Ukrainian brand Golda Hardware. The extractor hood is concealed behind a plasterboard box clad in tiles. The kitchen and all built-in cabinetry and joinery for the project were produced by Sinkevych’s Carpentry Workshop.

The large dining table was made to our sketch and paired with vintage Cesca chairs by Knoll. The kitchen windows are fitted with bamboo blinds.

Children’s bedroom

The children’s rooms differ only in details such as the rug or headboard colors. The layout accommodates a work area, sufficient storage, and a double bed. These are concise, functional spaces that the children can personalize over time.

Bathroom – first floor

The bathroom floor was a technically complex element, requiring multiple contractors. After our designers developed the pattern, the required pieces were laser-cut, laid out, and the floor was finished with microcement. Each step – cutting, laying, grouting – was handled by a different contractor.

The bathroom features a wall-mounted vanity and a mirrored cabinet for toiletries. The bathtub is enclosed by a glass partition and complemented by a niche shelf created by incorporating the toilet installation. The small mosaic tiles laid “seam to seam” required precision and craftsmanship.

SECOND FLOOR

Home office

The home-office area is located near the staircase with a large desk facing the windows. The textured painted MDF tabletop appears to float, supported only by pedestals. There are two workstations, shared by the clients who both work from home. Behind the chairs are shelves for work-related supplies, a printer, and a coffee machine.

The wall opposite the stairs is painted green as a unified block with integrated doors leading to the bathroom and laundry room. Open shelves are added for books and decor. The flooring is parquet board.

Bathroom – second floor

A compact bathroom lies behind the green doors, its flooring executed in the same technique as the first-floor bathroom, but in lighter tones. The wall-mounted sink and countertop are made of acrylic stone, with storage cabinets concealed above them.

Main bedroom

The main bedroom includes a small lounge area. To refine the original red brick, contractors from Zadum manufacturing bureau restored its relief using architectural concrete, added subtle patina, and finished it with protective varnish to prevent dusting. The space receives abundant daylight, so we placed a &Tradition Drawn HM3 chair here, along with a makeup table with storage drawers, highlighted by an accent pendant light.

The entrances to both walk-in closets are arched, and each is fitted with a curtain.

The ceiling is decorated with beams — a design feature the clients liked and wanted to incorporate into their own space. Despite the modest ceiling height, the idea worked: the beams, unusual for urban apartments, added texture and character to the space.

Bedroom

The bed and bedside tables were custom-made to our sketches. The headboard fabric was chosen with the cats in mind, as they like to sleep near their owners. A large artwork opposite the bed serves as the main visual accent. All upholstered furniture were custom-made by the Ukrainian brand maiifurniture.

Bathroom

The bathroom door mirrors the arched shapes of the walk-in closets. The walls are finished with microcement, as in the second-floor guest bathroom, and the intricate custom floor pattern of cut tiles is repeated here. Various textures are combined into a cohesive, visually rich composition. Hidden cabinets to the left of the entrance provide generous storage. The shower area is tiled with mosaic in contrast to the microcement walls. The vanity countertop is made of HPL, with fronts finished in veneered MDF.

The VSLKVSKA project became a highly technical undertaking that allowed us to demonstrate our expertise in complex bespoke solutions involving numerous contractors and painstaking processes. We implemented design solutions unusual for an apartment, integrated a non-standard ceiling and column into the interior, and ultimately achieved a cozy and vibrant home for our creative clients.

TEAM