Cover The open floor plan of a Vienna, Austria, apartment designed by Yana Molodykh Interiors
The open floor plan of a Vienna, Austria, apartment designed by Yana Molodykh Interiors
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Explore a charming apartment in the heart of Vienna, designed by Yana Molodykh to balance historic elegance and contemporary functionality
No home exists in a vacuum. That is especially true for homes that exist in historic cities like Vienna, Austria, where a family apartment has established a cultural conversation with the vibrant town around it. This 152-square-metre apartment was designed by Yana Molodykh of her eponymous interior firm, a space situated between the historic Lobmeyr workshop and the lush expanse of the Stadtpark.
For Molodykh, “Vienna has always been a continuous source of inspiration, with the Vienna Secession at its heart,” who faced such unique circumstances as only completing four site visits over eight months. “The challenge, and joy, was to capture the city’s distinctive atmosphere and rich historical heritage, subtly weaving it into the interior.”
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Above A Vienna, Austria, apartment designed by Yana Molodykh Interiors
Above The living room of a Vienna, Austria apartment, designed by Yana Molodykh Interiors
A Vienna, Austria, apartment designed by Yana Molodykh Interiors
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Despite the Vienna apartment’s striking exteriors, Molodykh encountered unique features such as non-standard geometry and sharp corners within the property. Instead of resisting these conditions, she worked alongside them. She took inspiration from the notable Art Nouveau movement, which she described as featuring “lines that flow smoothly and continuously, without a defined beginning or end.” She embraced this more organic approach, ensuring the lines wrapped around the space in a way that reflected the homeowners’ daily habits and rituals.
The palette was built around the existing oak parquet, which had developed a warm patina over time. Matching it required extraordinary precision. Working with bespoke furniture makers YourFoRest, the team developed around fifteen different ash veneer staining options before arriving at the right one. Light, natural shades and sophisticated textures thus set the tonal ground throughout the Vienna home.
Above The kitchen of a Vienna, Austria, apartment designed by Yana Molodykh Interiors
The kitchen of a Vienna, Austria, apartment designed by Yana Molodykh Interiors
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Above The dining area of a Vienna, Austria, apartment designed by Yana Molodykh Interiors
Above The open floor plan of a Vienna, Austria apartment, designed by Yana Molodykh Interiors
The dining area of a Vienna, Austria, apartment designed by Yana Molodykh Interiors
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When guests enter, they are immediately immersed in the considered elegance of a family entrance. Here, ergonomic storage units give each family member the space they need to store their items, while maintaining the Vienna apartment’s charming, sleek design.
The family now enjoys an open living plan, with the living room, kitchen and dining zones seamlessly integrated with each other. Scenes of Vienna’s skies and the Stadtpark’s canopy can permeate the entire space with natural light. A notable feature is the kitchen’s White Tiger quartzite countertop, its bold veining and luminous surface grounding the space.
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Above The bedroom of a Vienna, Austria, apartment designed by Yana Molodykh Interiors
The bedroom of a Vienna, Austria, apartment designed by Yana Molodykh Interiors
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In a niche nearby, a mirror reflects an iconic Lobmeyr crystal piece created to commemorate the workshop’s centenary. Such a feature establishes genuine local pride and further connects the apartment to the history visible from its windows. “The warm glow of brass and the crystal brilliance of glass, enhanced by a delicate blue accent, create an interior aesthetic that is timeless, subtly refined and perfectly harmonious,” Molodykh mused.
To add further character to the Vienna apartment’s living room, Molodykh added a vintage illustration of a blue-green stag beetle she’d found at an antique bookstore. Nearby, the study functions as both library and work bureau. The bespoke cabinetry by YourFoRest features a sliding system and retro-inspired fronts that bring infinite iterations of functionality to the space. Up above, the custom millwork transforms the sharp angles of the building with its deliberate, handcrafted forms.
The bedroom of a Vienna, Austria, apartment designed by Yana Molodykh Interiors
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Moving on to the more private areas of the home, Molodykh chose an even softer, more welcoming palette. The romantic Casamance wallpaper evokes the spirit of the Vienna Secession with its warm, geometric tones. Meanwhile, the Poltrona Frau leather pieces offer an elegant material solution that addresses practical concerns.
Each family member has their own bedroom, while the homeowners have a walk-in wardrobe and private study that will reflect their memories and experiences over time.
Altogether, the space stands at the intersection of a storied city and a close-knit family, all of whom embody the curiosity and elegance that Vienna has to offer. Molodykh looks back on this project with pride, remarking that every visitor remarks that they can feel Vienna's spirit within the walls, with every detail an example of the organic lines and material richness that set such a city apart.
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Credits
Photography: Vigo Jansons
Production: Karine Monié
About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
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