House Exterior

Semery Apartment by Rina Lovko Studio

February 18, 2024
Frankie Olkowski

Rina Lovko Studio has completed a major renovation of an apartment in a historical area of Kyiv. Located on the fourth floor of a residential property built in 1905 and overlooking a quiet park, the apartment is surrounded by greenery and flooded with natural light. A stunning location, but tired interior, the apartment required a huge overhaul to bring the client’s Parisian style vision to life. 

The process of dismantling revealed rotten slabs and large cracks in the walls, so these had to be removed completely. The original parquet flooring also required disassembling to allow for a new flooring structure with poured concrete. The reinstatement of wooden flooring was an essential requirement for the new interior and the studio sourced 100 year old oak parquet to retain the apartment’s sense of history. The studio carried out a careful restoration before  assembling the herringbone pattern in the apartment. They also ensured the right colour and finish was achieved to highlight the natural grain and vintage quality of the parquet, leaving its marks of time, and imperfections, unaltered.

Throughout the apartment plaster walls have been painted over to retain a textural finish. In contrast, the angles between walls and ceiling have been smoothed out – a common process for old flats in Kyiv.

The client, a young fashion creative with a strong vision, loves Parisian style and vintage elements. However, rather than replicating ‘Parisian chic’ features such as ornamental plaster, the studio shifted the focus to natural textures with a sophisticated softness and overall airiness, in order to achieve a more personal and nuanced result.


Opting for a time-tested floorpan, a long and functional hallway was created with an entrance wardrobe, a guest restroom, and laundry area. The kitchen, located near the living room entrance, features an Antonio Adjustable sconce and wall niche above the sink, and a stand alone dark wood cabinet that hides the appliances for a seamless look. The green veined marble table, a vintage find from Spain, ties in with the solid wooden doors that were produced by craftsmen in Lyiv, while also injecting the space with beautiful texture. The chairs, also vintage, were designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko in the 1960’s, and the Bloom pendant light is by Danish brand Warm Nordic.



The new layout has resulted in a light and spacious living area, an easy flow and coherent spaces. The living room is furnished with vintage pieces including midcentury wall sconces from Germany, Danish teak-framed armchairs from the 1960’s reupholstered in velvet and a vintage mirror from France. Custom cornices for all of the curtains are in keeping with the smoothed angels between the ceiling and walls, and overall minimalist aesthetic.

In the bedroom, which connects through doubles doors from the living room, a classic plaster ceiling has been reimagined in terms of modern minimalism. The decorative element was produced by hand from gypsum in line with the studio’s 3D model. The bedside lamp is by Lumina and the dresser is a vintage Danish find. 




The connecting bathroom has also ended up being a standout space. Carefully selected marble finishes are paired with custom solutions including a bespoke mirror designed by the studio, and a specially sourced window allowing the owner to carry out her morning beauty routine with a view. Another large mirror, produced by craftsmen from Lviv, is placed above the bath. The bathroom is separated from the bedroom with a glass partition and a soft tulle, creating a seamless continuity. The walls and the floor in the bathroom are made from micro concrete.



Successfully giving Semery apartment a new lease of life while retaining the building’s original character, Rina Lovko Studio have created a serene and elegant home that fuses subtle Parisian style with textural interest and refined detailing.

Credits

Design Team: Rina Lovko, Daryna Shpuryk


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