Home tour: A serene pied-à-terre in Moscow where French heritage meets Russian roots

Formed from a combination of three apartment units that spans 3,767 sq ft, the modern residence, however, lacked the architectural character typically associated with the historic residences in the country–refined, layered, and timeless, rather than decorative or period-based.

As such, Solovyeva and her partner Ilya Klimov were tasked with instilling emotion and character into the rigid, newly built space, transforming the contemporary shell into a warm, meaningful home where the family could return to feel grounded, and recharged.

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“It was a full-cycle project in which we managed every phase of the design process–from comprehensive structural engineering, spatial reconfiguration, to artistic staging, with space optimisation remaining a constant consideration,” Solovyeva shares candidly. “Even within a generous area, the team notes with characteristic humour that there are always 20-30 sqm missing.”

The substantial home, nicknamed Carré Blanc–which translates to “white square” in French–is redesigned to encompass a carefully orchestrated programme of spaces for flexible family living. 

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A welcoming entrance hall opens onto the living room, and a spacious dining room and kitchen that serves as the heart of family life.

Meanwhile, three bedrooms, each with en suite bathrooms, provide private retreats, whilst a study with an integrated library offers a quiet workspace.

Additionally, dressing rooms and utility areas for laundry and storage complete the practical requirements.

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“In a fast-paced world, the desire for a personal sanctuary of peace and tranquillity is increasingly universal–a home becomes a cocoon, offering calm and replenishment,” reflects Solovyeva. “This vision guided our design, which reflects a dialogue between cultures and eras whilst creating a soft, enveloping space that feels both elegant and serene.”

The chromatic strategy embraces the central theme of “unity of opposites”–a softly lit interior space that connects seamlessly with the outdoor landscape, and balances warm and cool tones to reflect the client’s dual heritage. 

Upon foundations of creamy vanilla walls and cool shades of silver and icy blue inspired by Lake Baikal, berry-coloured accents of rowan, lingonberry, and cherry–the client’s favoured red tones–punctuate the neutral backdrop. 

Tones of amber and burnt wood provide balancing warmth, as coal-coloured stone elements evoke the texture of tree bark, grounding the subtle yet poetic palette in natural references.

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Likewise, the materials were chosen to evoke nature and tactility, prioritising sensory experience over visual spectacle, as they subtly reference cultural memory without becoming nostalgic.

Set against honey-toned wide-plank parquet flooring, crystalline natural stone, and birch-bark patterned marble reminiscent of Russian forest landscapes, decorative plasterwork with poplar and birch root detailing echoes early 20th-century interiors in the country, connecting the contemporary home to its cultural antecedents.

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Special attention was given to details: the window frames, portals, chamfers, and fine joinery elements, while textural depth comes through bouclé wool and coarse-weave fabrics chosen for upholstery, adding tactile interest to the seating areas. 

“The goal was to create an emotionally complete environment–a soft, enveloping space that feels calm yet alive,” Solovyeva elaborates. “This was achieved not through decorative overload, but through sensory depth: a delicate play of textures, artisanal finishes, gentle light, and emotionally resonant colours.”

She muses: “When the family arrives at night, they are welcomed by carefully arranged flowers, branches, and berries–creating the unmistakable feeling of coming home.”

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The furnishing within the residence bridges national boundaries, featuring French design classics by Christophe Delcourt, Pierre Augustin Rose, and Pierre Yovanovitch alongside works by Russian designers Denis Milovanov and Semyon Lavadansky. 

Meanwhile, decorative objects span eras, with sculptures, vases, and accessories sourced from vintage markets and contemporary artisans worldwide, creating layers of cultural and temporal dialogue throughout the home.

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“Each piece was carefully selected during visits with the client to Moscow, Paris, Milan, and Brussels, where we explored fairs, showrooms, and galleries together,” Solovyeva shares.

“In the end, we believe we achieved a cohesive, comfortable, and airy space with thoughtful details that lend emotional softness and depth,” she concludes. “Most importantly, the family is delighted with their new home, where they now cherish their time together.”

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