Home tour: an interior designer’s playful home filled with antiques in Moscow, Russia

The living room features “the natural charm of wood,” with Mikhailova highlighting a veneered oak door that leads to an antique carved table, made by Belgian craftsmen in the late 19th century. The piece is paired with matching French chairs from the early 20th century. Elsewhere in the space, Mikhailova ensures that contemporary elements add humour and levity. Unexpected details like a modern chair with transparent plastic are staged with an arrangement of red and yellow watermelons and dahlias, echoing images of Dutch still life paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries. Above hangs an antique blown-glass chandelier, where it once illuminated the home of Russian writer Mikhail Prishvin. 

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The nearby kitchen features a blend of functionality and aesthetics, with appliances cleverly concealed behind wooden cabinet doors. Decorative bowls, decanters and plates line open shelves, reflecting Mikhailova’s propensity for bold and sculptural pieces. The William Morris-style botanical patterns evoke images of countryside cottages, while a ladder made of whole tree branches infuses the space with organic charm. 

Not only is the kitchen perfect for whipping up delicious meals; it is also a place for poignant reflections in the morning. Mikhailova often finds herself resting on a restored and repainted 1950s sofa, with its eye-catching terracotta pillows. She has a wide array of books to choose from, all of them layered on an oak bookcase from the same era. The kitchen and breakfast nook also feature dynamic paintings of ballet scenes, making for a compelling contrast with the garden views. 

Leading up from the living room and kitchen area is a staircase, with levels connected by a double-sided open bookshelf spanning both floors. This level features the primary suite, guest room and study, all of which continuously reflect Mikhailova’s curated vintage finds and sensual artworks. The guest room in particular reflects Mikhailova’s interest in different textures, with metal lamps and candlesticks providing scaffolding for the velvet textiles strewn across the bed and the nearby, marshmallow-soft armchair. A vintage Antonín Šuman dresser was customised with textured clay petals, transforming doors into buds and adding a more romantic touch to the space.

Nearby is a balcony area, where Mikhailova’s harmony between different eras reaches its peak. From the brick tile floor to the unexpectedly playful zebra hide, from a 1960s Czech laundry cabinet to a 1990s woven rocking chair from Ikea, the space is an eclectic companion throughout the seasons of Moscow life. 

Swans then glide across the small corridor leading to the study, where one wall has been transformed into a bookshelf under the watchful eye of a copper chandelier. A mustard sofa immediately captures one’s attention, paired with a large wooden desk and the leather Easy Chair by Ib Kofod. The artworks in the space are also notable, with subjects such as a hen wearing genuine pearls threaded through the canvas or chilli peppers in pointy shoes. 

The colour story flows seamlessly from mustard, pistachio and terracotta into more soothing tones in the primary bedroom. With pink and beige tones accented by ultramarine, the primary bedroom is once again a site of various design eras coming together. A chinoiserie dresser from the 1940s anchors the space with darker hues, while a 1970s crystal chandelier lingers over the boldness of a blue bedframe and pink sheets. Framed on the wall are Parisian postcards dating back to the 1870s, while a Kartell nightstand stands by the bed with a playful Manneken Pis-style lamp. Unexpectedly, the bathroom entrance is hidden in the wardrobe. Here, marble panels and a built-in sink are lit up by the vintage Hustadt Leuchten sconces, while a large mirror makes the room feel more cavernous. 

Moving up to the third and final floor, the space transitions into a quiet retreat with a fireplace and library. To get to this “bohemian hideaway,” one must travel past historic New Yorker covers and paintings, ultimately settling in a sanctuary for reading or relaxing. The rich carpet underfoot is weighed down by a heavy coffee table on cast-iron wheels, with a Zanotta chair nearby, conversing with a Belgian rocking chair from the early 20th century. Meanwhile, vintage Italian leather bar stools by Gubi stand guard alongside a 1916 travel trunk. Here, a Jan Vaněk wine cabinet adds a touch of delicate texture to the space, with Japanese-style carved handles and clay petals. 

With a home that features so many historical pieces, it is difficult for Mikhailova to choose a favourite. “They’re not individual objects, they’re parts of a single, living organism,” she said. “The house is alive, with its personal exhibition constantly evolving.” In line with that philosophy, Mikhailova rejects the idea that a house is an untouchable museum. “Everything is enjoyed here and now,” she emphasised. “The house lives with us, its pieces are part of everyday life, and that is where their true value lies.”

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