Home tour: A multigenerational timber house by the lake near Moscow

A sprawling 5,920-sq-ft contemporary-style residence, it is made of a ready-made laminated timber structure known as Angara pine, a valuable species that grows in the major Angara River in Siberia.

With properties nurtured by the natural conditions of the region, it was selected due to its durability and density, resistance to rot, and aesthetic appeal that often features characteristic knots in hues of light gold.

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“Since the house is located in a village with rich natural surroundings and is meant for family retreats rather than permanent living, wood seemed the most organic and suitable choice,” Pavlovskaya adds. “It’s designed to feel personal rather than ostentatious, yet at the same time, needed to be individualised.”

With a solid foundation, high ceilings, beautiful joints, and sound structural solutions, the pre-designed wooden house comes with its constraints in significant structural changes. This, in turn, inspired Pavlovskaya and her team to seek creative solutions that helped improve the flow within the house, and refine the ergonomics of the spaces.

Along with colleague and architect Julia Solnceva, the design team kept to the original design, with layout revisions that further enhanced the home’s cohesive flow: increasing doorway heights, layout adjustments for the bathrooms and utility areas, an added service kitchen, and niches for built-in furniture.

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Evident upon entry is a customised wooden-slatted “cube” that anchors the first floor, cleverly housing the fireplace and a chimney clad in ceramic tiles, as well as a staircase and the storage area beneath the steps.

“It was the most complex custom piece, as it needed to balance privacy with openness and accommodate future adjustments due to the house’s settling,” Pavlovskaya mentions.

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The circular path leads into the living room, where ample light permeates the double-height space through exposed wood beams and wooden shutters. The communal space then expands into the dining room, and through a wide opening, into the kitchens.

Meanwhile, the lower level transitions into the private area, consisting of two guest rooms and the master suite. While they’re more vibrant with added colours and patterns, they still correlate with the overarching design of the communal spaces.

These rooms offer views of the landscaped garden, which landscape designer Alexander Kushunin carefully designed to ensure each outdoor element complements the views from each room.

Drawing inspiration from English landscape traditions, a maple tree stands at the end of the terrace, accessible through the spacious master bedroom, while Hungarian lilacs can be seen from the bedroom and bathroom windows.

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On the second floor are two of the children’s bedrooms and baths, a shared wardrobe with plenty of storage space, and a media room; a flexible space that can be closed off for privacy or opened up for wholesome family activities via double glass doors.

Careful consideration went into the interior design of the home, as it is crucial to harmonise with the Angara pine structure without creating visual chaos.

“During the project, I deepened my interest in Eastern art, and it’s the ‘silence’ of Japanese engravings that inspired the peaceful colour palette for the home,” Pavlovskaya shares.

Aiming to captivate guests from the moment they enter the home and lead them to explore further, the interior designer embellishes the spaces with attention-drawing pieces while adding a rich, layered styling that promotes relaxation.

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The silk wallpaper hand-painted by Fromental with olive branches in the entrance hall sets the tone that evokes an Eastern influence; whereas a wall-mounted photograph by Natalia Kravchenkova hangs in the living room, presented as a diptych above a bench made from hornbeam wood.

Natural and tactile materials occupy the home, such as matte aged dolomite stone flooring, while custom-made furnishing and cabinetry were created according to Pavlovskaya’s designs by workshops like MOOSHI and ArtStyle.

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“I enjoy creating a more vibrant world behind closed doors, where colours become bolder and more attention is given to detail, while still adhering to the overall decorative concept,” she elaborates.

Accentuating these elements are meticulous lighting placements that ensure discretion while also providing soft functionality.

“Rather than mounting lights directly onto the beams, they were placed on top to illuminate the ceiling, with a few spotlights directed downwards for accent lighting,” she says in conclusion.

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