Home tour: a Korean hanok-inspired family home in Moscow, Russia

Upon entering the space, the central hall establishes the home’s refined cadence. Large-format ceramic tiles with varying textures cover the floor, whilst walls display a striking artwork created using Japanese woodblock printing techniques on handmade paper sourced from Utrecht. A console by Ethnicraft anchors the entryway, topped with a painting by Henrik Hey titled Song to the Moon Rusalka. This exquisite painting is flanked by accessories from Izzi Décor and candlesticks that reflect the abundant natural light.

Still, the hall’s true architectural achievement lies in its relationship to the surrounding spaces. Rimadesio sliding doors with matte glass evoke traditional rice paper screens, with vertical mullions that maintain a visual continuity between zones. This solution allows the living room to remain intimately linked to the hall whilst flooding the home's core with air and light, a contemporary echo of hanok spatial principles.

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The living room itself commands attention through harmonious understatement. Against paintings on the walls by Kordya and Natalia Savenko, sits a Flexform sofa paired with soft pillows that invite the homeowners to unwind after a long day. A Pierre Jeanneret armchair grounds the space with its sculptural forms, whilst coffee tables from Ethnicraft and a small brown Cassina table create intimate gathering points for family gatherings. The lighting in the Moscow home is equally considered, with built-in fixtures by Centersvet and a sconce by DWC Editions that illuminate a striking vase by Elena Loginova. 

For Kordya, the most notable piece in the room can be found on the windows, which feature custom oak shutter doors in the style of traditional Korean screens. “I noticed that this side receives direct sun at noon,” Kordya explained, “so these doors filter and modulate the light throughout the day.” Finished with custom brass handles shaped like eight-petal flowers, they cast intricate shadows across the floor that shift with the sun’s passage. 

Next door are the open-plan kitchen and dining area, which maintain the material palette of the living room whilst introducing undeniable warmth. A dining table and chairs by Carl Hansen anchor the space, with a Vibia chandelier illuminating delicious meals shared with family and friends. The kitchen itself, by Dantone Home, features a Rimadesio showcase for displaying treasured objects. The nearby bar features sleek La Palma stools beneath vases by Konstantin Stanovov, whilst a hanging Cassina chandelier and Trizo21 floor lamp provide the perfect ambience for a nightcap.  

Moving into the more private spaces, the primary bedroom encourages relaxation and reflection through its palette of neutrals and curated furnishings. The bed is clad in textured linens from Atelier Tati, creating a serene space to unwind after a long day. Underfoot is a Gan rug that echoes the same muted textures, while a large painting by Kiril Yakovlev and a smaller work by Andrew Krasulin add visual interest to the space. Meanwhile, the Poliform bedside table adds contrast with its darker, wooden texture that grounds the space. 

The main bathroom shifts register entirely, adopting what Kordya describes as “a clearer, more graphic character.” Deep grey tones create brooding sophistication, emphasised by a Pierre Jeanneret pouffe and Gessi faucets. Meanwhile, a Sugarpine vase by Katya Beleeva introduces an organic form to temper the geometry of the space.

Ultimately, it's the children’s rooms that truly capture the project’s heart. During the initial site visit, the daughters seized crayons and drew the layouts of their future rooms, including cabinets on the walls. Rather than erase this spontaneous creativity, Kordya made their dream come true.

To further customise the space, Kordya created a sliding door that separates the two bedrooms, which can still open to create one expansive play area. Meanwhile, custom wardrobes accommodate their love of dress-up, whilst bookcases with mirrored side panels reflect sunlight and display their reading collections.  

Beyond the tranquillity of the home, the home’s most audacious feature crowns the building: a 269-square-foot rooftop terrace that presented the project’s greatest technical challenge. Originally completely open to Moscow’s often harsh elements, the clients desired year-round usability for morning yoga and tea. The solution required extensive structural engineering, with motorised covers and sliding walls that transform the space from open-air deck to enclosed sanctuary. Heavy linen curtains provide protection when needed, while opening up the entire enclosure to the city skyline. Now, this space has become a versatile haven where the family enjoys sunrises in comfort regardless of Moscow’s season.

In a city where grand gestures often overwhelm nuance, this home makes its statement through restraint, materiality and profound respect for the family’s cultural identity. Here, the hanok principles of harmony with nature and purposeful minimalism translate seamlessly into modern apartment living. The result is more than a fusion; it is a synthesis of Korean soulfulness with a Russian context, both forces coexisting in an engaging, unforgettable dialogue.

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