Home tour: a sleek high-rise apartment in Almaty, Kazakhstan bathed in gold-hued accents

While an abundance of natural light permeates the residence, AKKA Interiors quickly realised that it would also present a challenge, particularly in the way colours shifted throughout the apartment.

When testing wall finishes, for instance, certain tones appeared overly stark in daylight or developed undesirable blue undertones.

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“We tested more than 15 samples before settling on the perfect shade,” Kunayeva says. “The final colour is incredibly pure yet warm, and it responds beautifully to the changing light throughout the day–perfectly balancing the natural light in the morning and glowing softly during sunset, creating a serene atmosphere.

Additionally, the design team selected a flooring tone called Titanium Bluff–a timber finish with a refined, organic appearance: “Something like sand kissed by the sun–warm and soft, without any intrusive red or green undertones,” the interior designer adds.

Within the expansive living area, the design team encountered another challenge in the form of two large structural columns that interrupted the apartment’s spatial planning.

Rather than conceal them, Kunayeva’s team decided to embrace these architectural elements and transform them into a defining feature. Veneered detailing highlighted the structures–not only introducing warmth and texture, but also helped delineate the large space into distinct zones.

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The columns now serve as subtle spatial dividers between the main living area–anchored by the generously proportioned Molteni&C Octave sofa for relaxed socialising–and a secondary seating nook with armchairs intended for quieter conversations or reading, all while maintaining an open and airy atmosphere.

“Understanding the importance of entertaining in Kazakhstan–where it’s not uncommon for ten to 12 people to gather in one home–we made sure the layout could comfortably accommodate guests,” Kunayeva explains.

Here, a custom-designed dining table topped with Cattelan Italia marble and paired with dining chairs by Potocco allows the homeowners to host large gatherings with ease, reflecting the local culture of hospitality and togetherness.

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Overhead, the Herbarium lighting installation by Lasvit–with reflective hand-blown Bohemian crystal elements—is a statement feature that required extensive visualisation studies to perfect its positioning prior to installation.

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“To ensure everything aligned perfectly, we created a full-scale print layout of the lighting composition, including all the surrounding spotlights,” Kunayeva elaborates. “We then projected the key installation points using lasers, carefully mapping out the precise placement of each element.”

“It was crucial to get every measurement correct so the installation could shine with the intended effect, creating the desired ambiance,” she continues.

Complementing the bespoke lighting feature is a large-scale painting by Kazakh artist Marat Bekeyev, whose bold brushstrokes and vivid palette reflect the landscapes, traditions, and evolving modernity that define Kazakhstan, evoking emotion and narrative through abstract forms.

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“From the outset, we knew we wanted to incorporate works by Kazakh artists to give the home a stronger connection to the culture and heritage of the country,” Kunayeva says.

“We started with one medium-sized piece, and over time, we were able to acquire two large-scale paintings–one of which was perfectly suited to the expansive living and dining room, while the other found its place in the main bedroom.”

Initially, the homeowners envisioned a clean white interior with a minimalist aesthetic typical of contemporary skyscraper residences.

The design team, however, sought to introduce greater warmth and depth, focusing instead on the interplay of varied timber finishes, tactile stone surfaces, and subtle yellow accents.

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“The idea behind incorporating yellow was to soften the starkness of the glass, allowing the sunlight to filter through and linger within the space, creating an inviting atmosphere,” Kunayeva explains. “To our delight, when we presented this idea to the client, it turned out that yellow was also her favourite colour.”

Drawing inspiration from the surrounding natural landscape, AKKA Interiors layered the home with earthy tones and natural stone to create a grounded, tranquil atmosphere–an element that was especially important to the homeowners.

The project incorporates eight different types of stone, each selected for its unique character, texture, and tonality–from pristine Calacatta Picasso marble in the kitchen to Great Stone from Italy in the main bathroom, which took the design team four months of research to source.

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