Cover The living room of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
The living room of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
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Blending Moscow’s old-world charm with the functionality of modern design, Anna Erman has created a family sanctuary for all seasons
A home’s history is what makes it distinctive. Such is the case for this 240-square-metre apartment in the heart of Moscow’s historic centre. Anna Erman was commissioned to reimagine a space with distinctive features: a working fireplace that could be restored for future use, luxurious classic doors, original parquet floors left by previous owners and a balcony off the main living room.
The apartment had been renovated once before, in the 2000s with the placement of an arch in the entrance hall, and the brief this time was precise: for Erman to intervene as little as possible in the existing layout.
With such constraints, she was tasked with creating a home suited to full-time family life and generous entertaining, filled with colourful pieces of gallery art. Erman’s previous work with the client had established a level of trust that made such eye-catching, intuitive decisions possible. “We were able to search out unusual furniture and commit to bold, custom textile choices without hesitation,” Erman shared.
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Above The living room of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
Above A Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
The living room of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
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A load-bearing wall splits the Moscow space in two. One side holds the bathrooms, bedrooms and kitchen, while the other opens into the living room, study and entrance hall. Previously, the apartment’s central circulation had been a problem. But a single changed opening created a sequence of halls through which a table could be set and coffee brought to guests in the living room. Next, the study was given two separate entrances from the hall and from the living room, which would allow the owner to step away for a video call or a business meeting without disturbing the guests relaxing in either room.
Echoing back to the arch from a previous iteration, the Moscow abode’s entrance hall has an additional metal door. In the living room, three distinct zones were marked out: a fireplace area, a dining zone and a separate space for films in the evenings and at weekends, balancing functionality with flexibility.
Above The living room of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
The living room of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
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The living room ceilings feature ornate plasterwork recreated to suit the room’s rectangular proportions. They pair with statement chandeliers that echo the building’s original era while staying updated for a contemporary Moscow interior.
Vintage floor lamps, restored and fitted with multiple lighting modes, complement the chandelier’s formal presence to create a more relaxed, gentle atmosphere. The gallery-quality armchairs by Cappellini and Bernini bring a collectable design sensibility to the sanctuary, especially when juxtaposed with antique furniture repainted in bright colours.
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Above The study of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
The study of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
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Above The dining room of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
Above The dining room of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
The dining room of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
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The dining zone is anchored by a pink table designed by Erman herself. Meanwhile, the formal rooms have windows dressed in shutters, which manage the quality of light throughout the different seasons.
Next is the study, which is accessible from both the hall and the living room. The place is furnished with a Philippe Starck desk by Vitra, an auctioned piece that infuses the room’s design story with gravitas.
Above The bedroom of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
The bedroom of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
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Moving into the more private areas, the master suite has its own bathroom and direct access to a spacious walk-in wardrobe, designed with the owner’s deep love of fashion in mind. The children’s bedrooms are likewise fully isolated from the reception rooms, each with its own bathroom and a fully customisable layout that can adapt to their personalities over time.
Above The kitchen of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
Above The hallway of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
The kitchen of a Moscow apartment renovated by Anna Erman
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Throughout the apartment, Erman’s instinct for the collected and the unexpected is evident at every scale. Modern design classics sit in conversation with restored antique pieces, while technical fixtures and vintage lamps tone down statement chandeliers.
Altogether, Erman has produced a Moscow home that honours the building's early 20th-century character without being bound by it. Such adaptability softens the historic abode’s architectural rigour, carving a new space for an experimental approach to home design.
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Credits
Photography: Sergey Krasyuk
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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